There are plenty of misconceptions about sexual assault in today’s society. Some people may not even truly understand what does, and does not constitute as sexual assault. People may also not realize that sexual assault does not always have to be physical. Victims may also be afraid to come forward with claims of this kind of abuse, for fear of worsened future treatment, others not believe it happened, or being blamed for it occurring in the first place. In the article to follow, we have answered a few questions people may have about sexual assault, including what sexual assault entails, how it can be prevented, and why an attorney may be helpful.
So, what does sexual assault entail exactly?
Sexual assault occurs when sexual behavior is forced upon another with his or her consent. Consent is the key component of this definition. Many may believe that consent can be assumed if the person is silent. However, this is simply a fallacy, as the person must give verbal agreement to the sexual activity in order for it to be considered true consent. Sexual assault can include physical actions, verbal threats or psychological force.
How can sexual assault be prevented?
It can be quite difficult to completely prevent sexual assault from happening to you or a loved one. Despite this fact, there are things you can do to help lessen your chances and not get into risky situations where it may happen. Listed here are just a few ways that you can help protect yourself against this form of abuse:
- When attending parties, go with at least one other person you know and do not allow someone else to pour your drinks.
- Do not walk alone at night, take a cab or Uber if you must get from one destination to another after the sun goes down.
- If a person makes you feel uneasy and you are not sure why, just listen to your instincts and get away quickly.
- If one incident of sexual assault occurs, report the person immediately so they can be reprimanded and you are kept safe from future acts.
Should I see an attorney about the sexual assault incident?
It is not uncommon for victims of sexual assault to consider taking legal action to get justice for the incident. Acts of sexual assault can be very painful on the victim, who may takes years to finally accept and heal from what happened. A sexual assault attorney can provide advice, representation, empathy and knowledge during the legal process. It can be emotional and uncomfortable to talk about the incident with your attorney, especially if this is something you haven’t openly conversed about before. Do keep in mind that during this process you should be treating yourself kindly. Friends, family and a therapist you can trust are also people who can have on your team to get you through this challenging process. The goal of filing a lawsuit is not only to seek justice, but hopefully to get you to a place of healing and peace as well.