Sexual abuse is a devastating crime that happens far too frequently, leaving victims with physical injuries and immense emotional and mental suffering. The after-effects of this devastating crime can be long-term, wreaking havoc in the lives of survivors. The effects of childhood sexual abuse can be overwhelming for survivors, and overcoming trauma from the event can be a daunting task. When a survivor of childhood sexual abuse decides to speak out and hold their perpetrator accountable, their journey towards healing can begin. The journey toward healing will involve highs and lows, but no matter how long ago you experienced the abuse, it is never too late to make decisions that will promote your recovery. Trying various approaches until you figure out what method works for you is the best way to work through the unique challenges and mixed feelings you may face. A sexual assault attorney understands the long-lasting and often debilitating effects sexual assault or abuse can have on a person’s life. Let a sexual abuse lawyer help you bring a claim against your perpetrator and any other liable parties, including large and reputable institutions and organizations.
What is Sexual Abuse?
Sexual abuse is a crime in which one person commits any unwanted or non-consensual sexual acts against someone else without their consent. Forms of sexual abuse may involve forcing, intimidating, or pressuring another person into a sexual interaction that they do not want to do. Sexual abuse can refer to any form of sexual assault or harassment that happens against another person, including rape and molestation. Abuse can exist between spouses, coworkers, family members, friends, or strangers, and examples of different physical and nonphysical actions that can constitute sexual abuse can include:
- Unwanted touching such as hugging or kissing
- Attempted rape or rape
- Sexually harassing or discriminating against someone
- Physical, sexual assault, including violent sexual contact
- Unwanted exposure of genitals, including a female’s breast
- Sexual contact with someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Molestation
- Threatening someone into consenting to a sexual act
- Creating or distributing child porn
- Unwanted penetration
- Sexually exploitation
- Incest
- Prostitution or human trafficking
- Sexual contact with someone who cannot give consent due to intoxication, a mental disorder, disability, or age
Perpetrators of sexual abuse will target children and adults. If you or a loved one were the victims of a sexual abuse crime, consider consulting a skilled sexual abuse attorney.
What Are Some Warning Signs of Possible Sexual Abuse?
Many survivors of sexual abuse have difficulty coming forward and reporting their perpetrators. Speaking out about an experience with sexual abuse can be especially difficult for children and minors. When victims of sexual abuse decide to live with their secrets and suffer in silence, the emotional trauma can manifest in several different ways. A few reasons a survivor of sexual abuse may choose not to report the incident may include:
- Fear of others not believing them
- Fear of retaliation from the abuser
- Psychological and emotional distress
- Being physically unable to do so (possibly due to a disability)
Warning signs of sexual abuse will differ according to the victim’s age. In cases involving children and minors, a once calm child may suddenly exhibit erratic behavior; this may be a warning sign of abuse. Additionally, if a child who never previously displayed sexual behaviors begins using inappropriate sexual language, this might signal sexual abuse. Signs of sexual abuse or assault in teens and adults can be less apparent. If you are a parent, guardian, friend, or loved one of someone you suspect may have experienced or might be experiencing sexual abuse, here are some warning signs you should pay special attention to:
Physical Signs
- Injuries on or near the genitalia
- Unexplained bruising on the upper thighs
- Bloody undergarments
- Sexually transmitted diseases or infections
- Frequent genital irritation or urinary tract infections (UTI)
- Itching or pain on or around the genitalia
- Loss of appetite or sudden weight loss
- Insomnia
- Frequent upset stomach
- Looking dirty or unkempt frequently
- Self-harming behaviors
Mental or Emotional Signs
- Mood swings or sudden outbursts
- Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
- Feelings of fear, guilt, or shame
- Unexplained anxiety, anger, or rage
- Depression or withdrawal
- Suicidal feelings
Behavioral Signs
- Substance abuse or misuse
- Withdrawal from activities
- Poor school performance
- Regressive behavior such as bedwetting or nightmares
- A child possessing abnormal knowledge of sexual subjects
- A child mentioning secrets with an adult
If you notice warning signs of sexual assault in a teen or adult, you should share your concerns with them and assure them that you are a safe person they can confide in and who will provide support. When speaking with a child, you should make clear that they are not at fault or in trouble. Once the individual who you suspect suffered sexual assault confirms your suspicions, you should encourage them to report the abuse to the proper authorities or seek help first by speaking with a mental health counselor or calling a hotline for survivors of sexual abuse. Survivors of sexual abuse should not hesitate to seek the advice of an experienced sexual abuse attorney when they are ready to seek justice.
What to Do If You Were a Victim of Sexual Abuse or Assault?
As a sexual abuse survivor, you deserve to seek justice and closure to begin moving on with your life. Although it can be difficult, speaking up about your experience can significantly impact your future. Taking action in sexual abuse or assault cases is essential and can help you begin taking steps toward ensuring your safety and processing the event. If you’re experiencing sexual abuse or notice warning signs in a loved one, talking about the sexual abuse is the first step toward long-term recovery. If you suffered sexual harm in any way:
- Alert the authorities – if you can, call 911 to report the crime as soon as possible. Filing a police report can help establish the truth of your story and is an essential step in bringing the perpetrator to justice.
- Save important evidence – preserving evidence such as the clothes you were wearing at the time of the attack or biological evidence will provide beneficial insight into your case.
- Speak with a friend or family member – Confiding in a trusted family member or friend can help you feel less alone in your experience. A supportive friend or family member can make you feel safe, and you may even request that they spend time with you after an incident of sexual abuse. You can also ask the trusted person to accompany you for emotional support to doctor’s appointments or the police station. Telling someone you trust about the sexual abuse or assault you’ve experienced can help you cope with feelings of anxiety, depression, or dissociation.
- Seek medical treatment – Visit your medical care provider and schedule an appointment to receive medical treatment. It is important to visit a health care center without delay within the first few days of the assault. A physician will treat physical injuries and perform a forensic exam to collect DNA evidence of the assault.
- Talk to a mental health professional – A trained counselor or mental health professional can help you begin facing what may seem like a lifelong battle that you will have to go through alone. A sexual abuse counselor or mental health provider can speak with you about your experience and the traumatic feelings you may be experiencing. These professionals can also help survivors of sexual abuse learn coping mechanisms to use in their journey toward healing.
- Contact a sexual abuse lawyer – Once you have taken steps to heal your physical and emotional trauma, consider taking legal action against your perpetrator by reaching out to an experienced sexual abuse lawyer. Our compassionate attorneys can offer necessary advice about the next steps you should take in holding your abuser criminally liable.
After experiencing sexual abuse or assault, you may struggle with what to do next. You may feel scared or even powerless. Understanding that you do not have to face the process of holding your perpetrator accountable on your own can help you break your silence and take steps toward seeking justice. Speaking out about your experience can give you your power back and put you on the road toward long-term recovery.
Compensation Victims of Sexual Abuse May Recover
Although no amount of financial compensation can remedy the sexual assault or abuse you’ve experienced, holding your perpetrator accountable by pursuing a civil sexual abuse lawsuit can provide you with a sense of closure. Seeking justice through monetary compensation can help you heal both physically and emotionally. If you’ve suffered physical injuries due to sexual abuse, you may seek compensation for medical expenses or lost wages. Expenses and losses you can seek compensation for in a successful sexual abuse claim include:
- Physical injuries
- Mental health services
- Prescription medications
- Relocation
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Therapy
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning potential
- Legal expenses
If a loved one died because of sexual abuse or assault, surviving family members can file a wrongful death suit to recover compensation for funeral, burial costs, and the decedent’s losses. A sexual abuse attorney will discuss the potential value of your claim during an initial consultation.
Sexual Abuse Cases FAQ
Can I hold someone other than the perpetrator accountable for sexual abuse?
There may be multiple parties you can hold responsible for sexual abuse or assault. For instance, if abuse occurred at the workplace and your employer was aware of the abuse, they can also be found responsible for the abuse.
Why do I need an attorney in a sexual abuse case?
Hiring an attorney as soon as possible if you were sexually assaulted is crucial and can make a significant difference in the success of your claim. Your lawyer can help you determine the next steps in your case and play a meaningful role in helping you obtain the justice you deserve.
Will my sexual abuse case go to court?
Most sexual abuse cases settle out of court, but your lawyer should prepare to take your case to court if the defendant refuses a reasonable settlement. Your lawyer, however, will do everything possible to protect you and your identity and settle the case quietly if you prefer.
What are examples of institutional sexual abuse?
Institutions like schools, churches, daycare centers, or disability care centers have a legal duty to keep those under their care or supervision safe from sexual abuse. Institutional sex abuse often happens by an employee, but someone the victim is unfamiliar with can also be a perpetrator.
What can I expect from the police when reporting sexual abuse or assault?
When you report sexual assault or abuse to the police, they will talk to you, investigate your claims, and interview potential witnesses to determine what occurred. If the incident was recent, victims should not wash or throw away the clothes they wore during the attack. The investigating officer may set up a pretext call to engage the perpetrator in a conversation and ask them to admit to their crimes. An officer may also request that a victim undergo a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam. You always have a choice as to whether or not you want to take the exam.
Discuss Your Case with a Sexual Abuse Attorney Today
If you or a loved one is a survivor of sexual abuse, it doesn’t matter when or where the assault happened. Call a sexual abuse lawyer to discover if you have grounds for a civil sexual abuse case. A lawyer will protect your rights and privacy because they know how difficult it is to speak out about sexual abuse—and how important it is for you to receive the justice and closure you deserve.