Our Mission

The Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs, Inc. (KASAP) is the statewide coalition of the 13 rape crisis centers in the Commonwealth. The mission of KASAP is to speak with a unified voice against sexual victimization.

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Civil Legal Remedies

Though the criminal justice system has historically been the primary method for addressing sexual violence, more and more people are finding that civil legal remedies can also be very important.  The civil justice system does not replace the criminal system, which has a unique ability to incarcerate offenders.   However, in many cases, civil processes can more adequately address the harm done to victims and ensure that victims’ needs are met. 

Civil cases may be based on physical injury to the victim, stalking, death, false imprisonment, property damage, sexual harassment, and third part liability.  Other civil legal remedies include Emergency Protective Orders and family law cases. 

In most cases, a victim or survivor interested in civil remedies to address sexual violence would need to begin by contacting a private attorney.  Attorneys or advocates interested in additional information should contact KASAP to request a copy of Civil Remedies for Women Victimized by Violence: A Practice Manual for Attorneys (2003). 

This project was supported by Grant Number VAWA ARRA-2009-KASAP-00034 awarded through the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The Opinions, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women or the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.