Have You or a Loved One Been a Victim of Sexual Abuse? Steps To Take To Go After Those Guilty.
Sexual abuse is a very hard topic for most people to talk about. But if you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, you need to know that it’s not your fault. You might feel like you did something wrong, but the truth is that sexual predators are responsible for their actions.
Sexual abuse often happens because people choose to take advantage of people they know. While no one deserves to be the victim of sexual abuse, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming victims and going through the trauma again.
A Sexual Abuse Attorney Can Help
Many people have been victims of sexual abuse at some point in their lives. It’s a serious and traumatic experience that has lasting effects on a person’s life.
Victims can feel enormous guilt about what happened to them, even when they were sexually abused by someone who wasn’t supposed to be doing such things to them. They may feel guilty because they didn’t report the abuse at the time it happened, or because they didn’t fight back as hard as they could have against their attacker.
But now, many adults are speaking out about their own experiences with sexual abuse — sometimes decades after the incident. With the help of a sexual abuse attorney, some are taking steps to go after the perpetrators.
Steps To Take To Go After the Perpetrators
- Share Your Story with Others
The first step in going after someone who has violated you is to get help and support from others who have experienced the same thing. Sharing your story will help you feel less alone and give you a sense of purpose in taking action against the abuser.
- Contact Your Local Police Department’s Sex Crimes Division
If you don’t want to handle things yourself, consider contacting your local police department’s sex crimes division and filing a report.
You might also want to contact them if your abuser has threatened or threatened someone close to you in the past, so they can be on the lookout for signs of abuse while they investigate your case and protect you from further harm.
A sexual abuse attorney can help you make your case even if the ordeal occurred some years back.
- File a Civil Lawsuit Against the Perpetrator
If you don’t feel comfortable filing a police report or pursuing criminal charges, consider filing a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator for damages such as lost wages and emotional pain and suffering. Since it can be difficult to prove without medical records or other physical evidence, a sexual abuse attorney can guide you through the process.
How to Recover from the Trauma of Sexual Assault
There is a quite negative connotation attached to the word rape that makes rape victims feel like they are somewhat damaged. While rape can shake you emotionally, physically, and mentally, it doesn’t have to be that way.
With the right guidance and help, you can move forward with your life.
The first step to recovery is acknowledging that the incident happened. While it might feel scary, pretending it didn’t happen will not help you move on. Find someone you can talk to; either a close friend, family member or even therapist.
Secondly, don’t blame yourself. Be kind to your spirit and don’t say anything to yourself that you would not say to another rape victim.
Educate yourself about rape and learn about the experiences of others. Read books and join some support groups if possible.
Winding It Up
You may feel alone in your situation, but you are not. There are many resources available to you that can provide support, including legal representation, counseling, and support groups. These resources provide you with the tools to formulate a plan of action, so you can find healing and begin the process of making changes in your life.
You may have questions you want to be answered about your situation and how you might respond to it. You should always contact an attorney for legal advice before making any decisions regarding pursuing criminal charges as well as civil claims against the perpetrator(s) of your abuse.
