If you have experienced sexual assault, your safety and well-being come first. You have options, and you deserve support. This page will offer you information on the legal action you can take, and who you can contact to help you.

FLORIDA LAW

  • “Consent” means intelligent, knowing, and voluntary consent and does not include coerced submission. Consent does not mean the alleged victim’s failure to physically resist.

    If your consent was not clear, voluntary, and freely given, you have the right to speak up and seek support.

  • Oral, anal, or female genital penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another, or the anal or female genital penetration of another by any other object.

    If you experienced unwanted sexual contact, you have the right to report it and pursue legal action.

    • Includes assault, battery, sexual assault/battery, stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family/household member by another.

    • “Family or household member” includes spouses/former spouses, people related by blood or marriage, people who live(d) together as a family, and parents of a child in common.

    If you are experiencing harm from a partner or family member, you have the right to seek help, protection, and legal support.

§ 794.011 — Sexual battery

§ 394.4593 — Sexual misconduct

§ 110.1221 — Sexual harassment

§ 741.28 — Domestic violence

In Florida, five different types of protective injunctions are available:

  • Domestic Violence 

  • Sexual Violence 

  • Dating Violence 

  • Repeat Violence 

  • Stalking

Domestic Violence Injunction Steps

Legal services:

Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service

https://www.floridabar.org/public/lrs/

In Alachua

Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc. (Gainesville Office)

901 Northwest 8th Avenue, Suite D-5, Gainesville, FL 326081

Contact: (352) 372-0519 or Phone 2: (866) 256-8091

https://www.trls.org/

Florida Domestic Violence Hotline

Call or Text 1-800-500-1119