Survivors of sexual abuse should first address any immediate medical needs. Sexual abuse can cause traumatic injuries that a doctor should treat with urgency. Once their immediate safety and well-being is secured, there are other forms of help they may need. This could include emotional support, financial assistance, and various forms of treatment.
Every case of sexual abuse is unique, and sexual abuse can have devastating effects on survivors. For these reasons, treatment plans specific to each victim should only be developed and implemented by medical professionals. Additionally, there are ways in which friends, family members, and others can support a victim of sexual abuse.
Options for Help
Every case of sexual abuse is serious, wrong, illegal, and painful for victims, and how a person was physically or emotionally harmed can determine the types of treatment and help they will need. Due to the sensitivity and complicated nature of sexual abuse cases, it is best for a medical professional to create a treatment plan. Help someone who has suffered from sexual abuse can receive might include:
- Physical: If an injury occurred that needs medical attention, the person should see a doctor as soon as possible. Securing immediate health and safety is the most important thing you can do.
- Mental/Emotional: The mental and emotional trauma abuse survivors suffer can be completely life-changing. Rather than trying to fight the emotional and mental suffering by themselves, survivors should seek professional help. Counselors and therapists specializing in sexual abuse are available to help them. This can include ongoing therapy and sometimes prescription medications to help with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, or other conditions.
- Legal: It is up to the sexual abuse survivor to decide whether to take legal action against abusers. In many cases, there is financial compensation available, which can include the reimbursement of medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages awarded by courts. It might also help to prevent the perpetrator from continuing their abuse.
- Preventative: Survivors might benefit from getting a restraining order to prevent future abuse. Most abusers sexually assault people they already know. Finding a way to separate a person from danger is crucial in keeping them safe.
The Effects of Sexual Abuse
The effects of sexual abuse can include:
- Traumatic injury
- Unwanted pregnancy
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Sudden change of personality
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
- Difficulty maintaining healthy relationships
- Loss of trust in others
- Smoking
- Alcohol and drug abuse
Every case is different, but the results of sexual abuse universally affect a person negatively. In severe cases, abuse can be life-threatening or lead to mental illness.
Statistics on Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse affects every demographic, though women are more at risk than men. Approximately 20% of women have experienced rape or attempted rape during their lifetime, according to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Almost 3% of men have experienced rape or attempted rape.
The CDC estimates that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys experience a form of sexual abuse before their 18th birthday. A study from the National Institute for Justice found that up to 53% of children who have experienced sexual abuse will develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Sexual abuse cases cost billions of dollars in medical expenses each year.
The estimated cost of rape over a survivor’s lifetime is $122,461, according to the CDC. Sexual abuse is never the survivor’s fault, and they should not have to pay for the consequences. Through a lawsuit, you might be entitled to compensation to cover the ongoing medical costs, lost wages, and more.
If you or someone you love is a sexual abuse survivor, there is help available to you.
Getting Legal Help
Some survivors of sexual abuse choose to file legal claims against abusers. While nothing can make up for the trauma of abuse, legal action can help bring justice, closure, and peace to survivor’s lives. In many cases, financial compensation is available for the pain, suffering, and loss victims live with as a result of sexual abuse.
If you or someone in your life suffered from sexual abuse and you would like to learn more about your legal options, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 for more information.