Fashion Industry Sexual Assault Lawyer

Sexual Assault in the Fashion Industry Can Lead to Blacklisting Models Who Speak Up.

Sexual assault in the fashion industry occurs when an employee or sub-contractor is subjected to unwanted physical and aggressive sexual contact by a person within the fashion industry. Whether dealing with models, designers, or other professionals in the fashion industry, anyone can become a victim of sexual assault. However, due to the influence, one person can have over another’s career within the industry, victims can become afraid to stand up for their rights.

Many Employers and well-known influencers within the industry have been known to take advantage of individuals, especially models from foreign countries or those just getting started.

These victims think they do not have rights or will lose their job or ability to obtain work if they speak up against the assault and their attacker. If you are subjected to sexual assault within the fashion industry, you have rights. You need a sexual harassment lawyer who will help you speak up for your rights against sexual assault.

Call our compassionate sexual harassment lawyers in New York City, Philadelphia, Miami, San Francisco, and Los Angeles for a free consultation about your sexual assault in the fashion industry claim.

What Is Sexual Assault in the Fashion Industry?

Sexual assault in the fashion industry occurs when an employee, job applicant, intern, or contractor within the fashion industry experiences unlawful and forcible touching from an industry leader, influencer, or employee. Criminal sexual conduct resulting in a sexual assault can come from photographers, magazine editors, writers, videographers, producers, directors, models, agents, designers, and anyone within the fashion industry.

Who Is Affected by Sexual Assault in the Fashion Industry?

Sexual assault in the fashion industry can affect almost any person, including designers, manufacturers, and agents. However, models are the most affected group of employees within the fashion industry dealing with sexual assault. Models, both men and women, are the most vulnerable employees in the fashion industry for several reasons, such as:

Many are not American citizens.
Many do not know their rights.
Many believe sexual harassment is “just the way things are done” in the industry.
Many are afraid if they say no or report the harassment, they will be blacklisted and unable to find work.
Many are contracted workers as opposed to employees. Therefore, they do not think employment laws apply to them.

Models need to understand they have rights. Sexual assault is not acceptable and is not permitted in any industry, including the fashion industry.

What Forms of Sexual Harassment Result from Sexual Assault in the Fashion Industry?

Sexual assault in the fashion industry occurs when an employee, job applicant, intern, or independent contractor is attacked in a sexual nature by someone within the fashion industry. It can occur as a quid pro quo sexual harassment claim or create a hostile work environment.

Hostile Work Environment Due to Sexual Assault in the Fashion Industry

Sexual assault creates a hostile work environment. Criminal sexual conduct is severe. After it occurs, victims would find it impossible to continue working with the same group of people. Often, victims of sexual assault feel so vulnerable that they may not be able to go out in public at all, especially facing the people that victimized them.

Quid Pro Quo Sexual Assault in the Fashion Industry

A quid pro quo claim for sexual assault occurs when you are offered advances in the workplace if you agree to perform sexual acts or stay quiet about any sexual attack in the workplace.

Call us at 800-807-2209 to schedule a free consultation about your sexual assault in the fashion industry claim. Our lawyers handle all employment law matters for employees in New York City, Philadelphia, Miami, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

What Creates Claims of Sexual Assault in the Fashion Industry?

The following actions result in claims for sexual assault in the fashion industry workplace:

Groping of any part of the body
Groping of the genitals or breasts
Forced kissing
Penetration using a finger or other object
Rape
Forced oral sex
Threats to blacklist models and others who do not respond to or report sexual assault
Promises of career advances in exchange for sexual favors

Can an Employer Punish an Employee in the Fashion Industry for Reporting Sexual Assault?

One reason sexual assault in the fashion industry goes unreported is fear. Employees and contractors are afraid of being fired or blacklisted if they report the assault. Getting fired from work or blacklisted for these reasons is known as retaliation and is illegal.

Your employer cannot punish you for reporting sexual assault in the fashion industry. You cannot get fired from work (wrongful termination), blacklisted, transferred, reduced pay, removed from projects, or receive other forms of retaliation because you reported a sexual assault.

What Laws Protect Victims of Sexual Assault in the Fashion Industry?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Law of 1964 prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace. Model sexual assault or any other forms of sexual assault in the fashion industry is a form of sexual harassment.

The law protects anyone who works for a company or firm with 15 or more employees. It can apply to employees, job applicants, interns, and contractors. Most state laws protect victims of sexual assault in the workplace. Depending on your state, the employer may only need one employee to be held legally accountable. Discuss your sexual assault claim with a qualified attorney in your state. Our lawyers handle all sexual harassment law matters for employees in New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Miami, and Los Angeles.

Do You Have to Press Criminal Charges for Sexual Assault in the Fashion Industry?

Sexual assault is criminal sexual conduct. You have the right to press criminal charges against your attacker for sexual assault. As a result, you help the police stop your attacker from attacking others.

However, you do not have to press charges for sexual assault to file your lawsuit against your employer for sexual assault in the fashion industry. The court does not need to convict your attacker for you to win your lawsuit against your employer for sexual assault.

What Is the Time Frame to File a Charge of Sexual Assault in the Fashion Industry?

Federal claims of sexual assault in the fashion industry require you to file a charge for sexual harassment with the EEOC before filing your complaint in federal court. The statute of limitations to file your charge with the EEOC is 180 days from the date of the incident (300 days in New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Miami, and Los Angeles).

The time limit to file your lawsuit under state laws protecting you from sexual assault in the fashion industry vary based on your state’s laws. Consult a sexual harassment lawyer in your state to learn more about your rights under your state’s laws.

What Compensation Is Available to Victims of Sexual Assault in the Fashion Industry?

The courts may offer monetary compensation for sexual assault in the fashion industry (lost wages, pain, and suffering, emotional distress, punitive damages, legal fees). They may also offer other forms of relief to victims of sexual assault in the fashion industry, such as the reinstatement of employment and changes to company policy.

How Will a Sexual Harassment Lawyer Help You File Your Claim for Sexual Assault in the Fashion Industry?

It doesn’t matter if you are an American citizen. It doesn’t matter if you’re a paid employee, intern, or contracted employee. However, victims of sexual assault in the fashion industry believe that these issues mean they must put up with sexual assault in the workplace. They think they do not have any rights. They believe they can be blacklisted for speaking up for their rights. A sexual harassment lawyer can help you understand your rights regarding sexual assault in the fashion industry.

Your sexual harassment lawyer will help you file your complaint under the best laws suited for your claim and within the time limit allowed by the law. They can advocate for your rights, even when you think you cannot. They will help you negotiate a settlement as quickly as possible. However, if your employer will not negotiate a settlement, they will stand by your side in court to help you fight for your rights.

Contact Our Experienced Sexual Assault Lawyers for a Free Consultation

You have the right to work in an environment free from sexual assault, even when you work in the fashion industry. If you are a victim of sexual assault in the fashion industry, the experienced sexual harassment lawyers at the Derek Smith Law Group in New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Miami, and Los Angeles can help.

Do You Work in the Fashion Industry? Were You Sexually Assaulted at Work and Told You Would be Blacklisted If You Reported It? Please Contact Us at 800.807.2209 or Email Us at Derek@dereksmithlaw.com to Learn More About Your Rights.

Sexual Assault in the Fashion Industry