Legal Aid for Sexual Assault Survivor

Hi friends, my name is Mary. On the morning of Monday, May 20, I was sexually assaulted. I woke up to a stranger forcing himself inside of me. I was incapable of moving or speaking, I was just a limp body, but I felt every second of it. 


I went to the hospital and had a rape kit done the same day I was assaulted. I went to the police the next day to open an investigation on this man. And now there is a criminal case going on. The VPD were able to gain a search warrant for his house the following day. The perpetrator was then arrested and let go on paperwork that he would show up to court in October. There was also another man present during the incident, his friend, however the VPD will not share his identity with me. I am unaware if his friend took part in assaulting me, however he has also lawyer-ed up.

Criminal cases take up to 18 months, and only 7% of sexual assault offenders get convicted. The chances that he will be charged, are unfortunately very slim. 

Because of that - I have decided to file a civil lawsuit against this perpetrator. 

Criminal vs Civil Case 

A little bit about me: 

I am not one to ask for hand-outs, or ask for help. I have been financially independent since I was 18. It makes me really uncomfortable to ask for assistance but I've exhausted myself. I no longer have the funds to proceed suing this man, to get atleast a little retribution. 

I have missed weeks of work, leaving me in a financial bind. It has been terribly difficult to work as I have continuous night terrors of being raped and abused. With my sleep deprivation, my anxiety has flared up. I've been fighting panic attacks, but some waves hit harder than others, and as scary as it is to admit - I do feel suicidal at times. Thankfully, my doctor and counsellor are helping me with my PTSD and I've applied for a short term medical leave from work. 

Money is really tight, I'm having difficulty even paying my rent for next month, while this man is out every weekend partying and blowing away thousands. It is honestly so upsetting and frustrating that this man is barely phased and continues to live his life like nothing ever happened, like he never molested me.

Legal fee assistance needed:

I have met with firm after firm, meeting lawyers on lawyers, sharing my experience and discussing their strategies. I have found a lawyer that is confident in my case, and she has agreed to work on contingency. Though she only gets a pay-out if she wins the case - I still have to pay for disbursements.

These fees can go up as high as 10K if we are able to settle before court, if we go to court, they can go way above. Additionally, if I lose, I still have to pay for the disbursements. 

Lawyer's Fees - Disbursements 

I know the process will be exhausting. I know they will scrutinize every part of my life to destroy my credibility. I know I will have to face the man that assaulted me. But I can't imagine letting this man go without any consequences. 

Where the gofundme money will go: 

- $500 initial fee 
- lawyer fees + taxes, including but not limited to government fees, court filing fees, courier charges, photocopying costs or fees paid for expert reports from people such as doctors 
- monthly living costs: rent 

Please help me find justice.