Surviving R. Kelly, Part II: Updates on the Criminal and Civil Cases
The first season of the popular Lifetime documentary series Surviving R. Kelly highlighted the artist’s arrest on state and federal charges, but the latest installment offers insight on the struggles faced by victims of his alleged acts of sexual assault and abuse. Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning premiered on January 2, 2020 as a five-episode series that covers Kelly’s arrest, efforts by parents to rescue their daughters from an alleged slavery situation, and the struggles victims encounter as they try to readjust to life in the aftermath.
Not all sex crimes cases are as high-profile as those involving a superstar like R. Kelly, but victims still have rights. If you would like to know more about them, you should discuss your situation with an Alaska attorney who focuses on sexual assault and sexual abuse injuries. Some background information may also be useful.
Points to Note About the Second Season
You can tune into Surviving R. Kelly for details, but there are some noteworthy developments about the latest episodes from a legal standpoint:
- Kelly faces 21 counts of sexual assault and abuse at the state level, and the federal indictment includes 13 counts of sex crimes. It is not necessary that these cases result in a guilty verdict for victims of sexual assault to pursue him for monetary damages. The standard of proof is lower in civil court, so they only need to prove the incidents of abuse by a preponderance of the evidence.
- There may be implications for a victim who did not comply with a non-disclosure agreement as part of the terms of settling her lawsuit. These agreements are contracts, so Kelly may sue for breach if she violated any confidentiality provisions by telling her story to producers of the documentary. This is why it is absolutely essential to have legal representation when taking any legal action, even if you are attempting to settle out of court.
- Kelly’s allegations that he suffered sexual abuse as a child may be raised in the criminal cases, and they could be an issue in civil cases. However, these claims do not act as a defense to engaging in criminal activity.
- One victim was successfully rescued from Kelly’s “custody” by members of her family. Though she’s safe, the woman still faces a long road to emotional recovery. This point is important in a civil case because it affects the losses she may pursue as a victim. The woman will need continued care from a mental health professional, which involves considerable costs of treatment. Plus, there are the emotional scars that will impact her well-being for years – possibly the rest of her life.
Rely on an Alaska Sexual Assault and Abuse Lawyer for Legal Help
For more information on your legal rights and remedies as the victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse, please contact Power & Power Law in Anchorage, Alaska to set up a free consultation. You might have legal options through a civil case, in which you can recover monetary damages for your physical, emotional, and financial losses. We can review the details after reviewing your specific circumstances.