In Halifax, a judge has sentenced a Halifax man to five years in prison for sexual assault. He is said to have taken advantage of his longtime relationship with the survivor and has violated her sexual integrity.
Matthew Percy pleaded guilty to his sexual assault charges as his trial was underway during the month of November. The victim a 42-year-old woman had given an emotional testimony about how he had raped her in the safety of her own home in November 2013. She is one of the four women who had accused Percy of sexual assault. Prior to this he had been convicted of two charges and acquitted of the other. (1)
In 2017 Percy had convictions for sexual assault and voyeurism from an encounter he had with a Saint Mary’s University Student during September 2017. Additionally, to these convictions he had been acquitted on charges of a sexual assault, choking, and voyeurism that involved a different Saint Mary’s student from a separate incident in 2017 at this time he was a Saint Mary’s University groundskeeper. (2)
The Forensic psychologist who had conducted the assessment discovered that Percy poses a moderate to moderately high risk of committing further sexual offences and is twice as likely to recommit sexual offences compared to the average sex offender. Dr. Angela Connors says that he needs comprehensive sex offender treatment which is only available in the federal prison system. (2)
Sexual Abuse and sexual assault can be an extremely difficult conversation to have with anyone. At Wagners we understand that, and we promise to help you understand what legal options you have in order to hold the other party liable and to fight for your right to receive fair and full compensation for all your injuries. In this particular instance with Matthew Percy a civil lawsuit could be undertaken due to his position and being a staff member of Saint Mary’s University at the time of the sexual assault. A civil lawsuit would entail the following:
Civil Lawsuits
Victims of sexual assault and abuse may also consider filing a claim against their assailant or the institution that hired them in a civil court. Unlike criminal charges, a civil action may result in a settlement that is given to the victim to help them recover from the abuse or assault they endured.
Wagners firmly believes that there is no amount of monetary compensation that can take away the pain linked to sexual assault trauma. However, there are many benefits of successfully resolving a sexual assault lawsuit. The plaintiffs can receive the financial help that they need in order to get the right medical assistance and start rebuilding their lives. Bringing their abuser to justice can also restore their dignity and hopefully encourage other survivors of sexual assault to seek justice as well.
After filing a sexual assault claim you may be entitled to the following recovery of compensation:
- Lost income in case you cannot get back to work
- Psychological and emotional distress
- Mental health therapy and necessary counseling expenses
- Medical-related costs
- Other financial losses like loss of job prospects and failure to finish education
The amount of compensation you deserve for your sexual abuse claim will depend on many factors. Some of these factors include:
- How the abuse affected your ability to support yourself and make sufficient income
- The type of medical treatment you need or you have sought due to the abuse
- The personal or unique circumstances of your lawsuit
Legal Help for Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault
If you believe you’ve experienced sexual harassment at a university or on campus at the hands of a volunteer or employee, take the first step towards getting justice by reaching out to our lawyers. We will evaluate your case and advise you on your options. The team at Wagners is compassionate, passionate, and qualified to provide you with all the information you need to make the best choice for yourself. Whether you want to bring a civil action against your assailant or the institution that is liable for your harassment, we will help you every step of the way. We will take time to understand your case and give sound legal advice that secures the most favorable settlement at the negotiating table. Reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer in Halifax – Wagners Law Firm today. We offer a no-obligation and completely confidential consultation service to all survivors of sexual harassment, abuse and assault. Let us help you fight for justice.
Citations –
- (1) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/matthew-percy-fourth-sexual-assault-trial-opens-1.6251211
- (2) https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/ns-supreme-court-percy-pleads-guilty-to-sexually-assaulting-female-friend-100659224/