Private Tailor Sexual Assault Lawyer

Tailoring is a highly specialized skill that deals with the altering, cutting, and finishing of garments. Traditionally, tailors worked with men’s clothing, while women’s garments were handled by seamstresses. These terms are used interchangeably now, as clothing choices are much more fluid between the genders.

A private tailor can work in various settings, including their own shop or as an employee at a clothing store. They can also work out of their own shop or house, or travel to a customer’s home. Regardless of where they work, tailors must maintain ethical and professional standards to ensure that the customer is safe and comfortable. After all, a tailor has to place their hands near or on a customer and measure intimate areas like the chest and inseam. Unfortunately, some tailors take advantage of the situation and commit acts of sexual assault against their clients.

Were you sexually assaulted during a consultation with a private tailor? If so, contact the sexual abuse attorneys of Normandie right away. You may be able to sue the tailor or their employer for the harm you’ve suffered. But you must act quickly to build a strong case and ensure that your lawsuit is filed in a timely manner.

The Legal Standard for Sexual Assault

It’s not unusual a victim to question whether they were sexually assaulted, and if they have a case to sue for their injuries. The legal definition of sexual assault can be confusing, but here are the most common acts that fall under the category of sexual assault:

• Rape / attempted rape
• Penetration of the vagina or anus with an object
• Unwanted kissing
• Unwanted groping and fondling
• Assault and battery for the goal of sexual gratification
• Unwanted flashing or masturbating in front of someone
• Non-consensual exposure to sexually explicit material
• Coercing / blackmailing someone to engage in sexual conduct.

Consent is the most important factor in these situations, meaning that both parties clearly agree to engage in a sexual act. This doesn’t mean both parties have to say “yes,” but if someone expresses discomfort or doubt with what is taking place, it’s the other party’s legal responsible to stop what they’re doing. If they continue with the sexual contact, this can be seen as a form of sexual assault under California laws.

At this point, you may still have questions regarding what’s happened to you and whether it counts as a form of sexual assault. We’ve spoken to many victims in the same situation and know the anxiety, embarrassment, and guilt associated with sexual victimization. Please know that we are prepared to receive you with compassion and respect, as well as sound legal advice regarding your legal options. As soon as you can, give us a call and schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
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Sexual Assault by Private Tailors

Tailors have the flexibility of working for themselves or working for another business. Typically, you’ll see tailors in clothing boutiques and department stores that offer custom tailoring. These professionals often take the customer to an area that’s closed off from public view. This is understandable, considering the areas of the body that need to be measured. Additionally, the customer may need to be in their underwear to obtain the most accurate measurements.

While ensuring a customer’s privacy is essential, it also creates a power dynamic that a predatory tailor can take advantage of. It’s not uncommon in these situations for the victim to question what happened to them. Tailors, after all, have to come in physical contact with the client for the purpose of measuring them. It’s easy for victims to rationalize the assault and convince themselves that it was all a misunderstanding. Sexual predators count on this and will use it to perpetuate their crimes on other victims.

But what about private tailors with their own shop, or tailors that work out of their home or the client’s home? The customer is vulnerable in these cases, as they may be completely alone with the tailor at the time of the assault. The perpetrator figures that no one is around to hear or witness the event, and is even more emboldened to commit a sexual attack.

As a sexual assault victim, you may have grounds to sue the tailor or their employer for your physical and emotional injuries. However, you will need to prove that one or both of these parties are liable for your assault, which we will cover in the next section.

Liability in a Sexual Assault by a Private Tailor

As a professional that works with people one-on-one, private tailors have a responsibility to engage in proper conduct. This includes having as little contact as possible with the customer’s body and making sure that they are aware of what you’re doing. Conversation throughout the consultation is helpful, as well as having a witness in the room at all times, such as another employee or family member. Tailors must also pay attention to warnings signs that the customer is uncomfortable with something they’re doing. Even if there is a valid reason for their action, it’s their duty to stop engaging in any conduct that puts the customer in distress.

If a private tailor forces him or herself upon you in a sexual manner or exposes you to unwanted sexual conduct, you have the right to sue the tailor for your physical and emotional distress. If the tailor works for a store, you may be able to sue the business as well. In order to file a sexual assault lawsuit, you will need to prove that the parties you are suing were negligent in their duty of care to you as a customer. Negligence can be proven by the following factors:

• The defendant (store and/or the private tailor) owed you a duty of care.
• The defendant breached that duty of care with their actions or lack of action (negligence).
• As a result of the defendant’s negligence, you suffered harm in the form of sexual assault.
• The incident of sexual assault caused you compensable injuries.
• Since the damages were a direct result of the defendant’s negligence, the defendant is liable in a lawsuit for monetary damages.

Though establishing liability is essential in a sexual assault lawsuit, there’s a lot more work to be done. Medical assessments, talking to experts, and locating former victims are just some of the steps we may need to take in order to ensure the best possible outcome in your case. Thus, it’s important to learn about your legal rights and start taking action on an injury claim as soon as possible. The lawyers of Normandie are here to assist you every step of the way, so please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

The Long-Term Effects of Sexual Assault

A sexual assault can result in physical injuries, but that’s not always the case. Non-consensual groping and being exposed to a sexual act, for example, can be done without leaving any damage to a victim’s body. But victims can, and often do, suffer from emotional trauma that can manifest into mental health disorders. Following a sexual assault, a victim may experience:

• Anxiety
• Flashbacks
• Nightmares
• Insomnia
• Paranoia
• Mood swings
• Fear of going out
• Sexual dysfunctions
• Withdrawal from family and friends

These and other forms of trauma can lead to mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, and acute stress disorder. Life-long therapy and medication may be needed to manage these disorders, which is why monetary compensation is so important.

Compensation for Sexual Assault Victims

The losses you can recover from a lawsuit depend on your injuries and their effect on your physical and emotional well-being. Here are the damages that may be available to you if you were sexually assaulted by a private tailor:

• Medical expenses for bodily injuries
• Therapy and medication for mental health disorders
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages or lost earning capacity
• Property damage
• Punitive damages
• Legal fees

If you’re unfamiliar with some of these damages, you’re not alone. Many victims assume that they can only sue for their medical bills, but this is not true. In fact, non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, are more important in the majority of sexual abuse cases. While physical scars heal or fade over time, emotional damage lasts for a lifetime. Non-economic damages compensate you for the “invisible” injuries resulting from a sexual assault, so it’s important to fight for these with help from an experienced attorney. For more information on the compensation you’re entitled to as a sexual assault victim, contact Normandie Law as soon as possible.

Let us Fight for You

Most of us give people the benefit of the doubt, especially if they’re professionals that are trained to help us. A private tailor is one of these people, and it’s incredibly traumatic to be violated when you’ve put your trust in their hands. Sadly, many victims stay quiet and struggle with their pain out of guilt, shame, fear, and a range of other emotions. They may also be unaware of their legal rights, particularly if they’re confused about their experience. Understanding and acceptance of the attack are critical to one’s recovery, and thankfully, there is help out there for sexual abuse victims.

One form of help is legal advice from an attorney that’s experienced with sexual assault cases. Taking legal action against the responsible parties can help you gain control over a situation where you were the victim. A lawsuit can also pay for therapy, medical treatments, lost wages, and other losses you are left with as a result of a sexual attack. However, even if you choose not to pursue a lawsuit, just telling your story and learning about the actions you can take may be helpful in your journey to recovery.

If a lawsuit is right for you, there is no upfront cost for our services. We work under a Zero fee guarantee, so the only way we get paid if you recover the compensation you’re entitled to. That means your finances are never at risk regardless of the outcome of your case. With that in mind, please take the chance of contacting us and scheduling a free consultation. We look forward to fighting for you and recovering the damages you deserve.