What is Considered Sexual Abuse?
Sexual abuse is any type of sexual contact with a person who hasn’t given consent or is unable to give consent. Most often, minors are the targets of sexual abuse, however, adults and the elderly can be victims of sexual abuse as well.
Examples of sexual abuse include:
- Unwanted touching or groping
- Sexual contact through physical force, intimidation, or threats
- Rape and sexual assault
- Sexual contact with a minor
- Sexual contact with an individual who is unable to consent due to mental illness, cognitive impairment, or intoxication
Do I Need to Hire a Brooklyn Sexual Abuse Lawyer?
Pursuing financial compensation from the person responsible for sexual abuse can be a stressful and painful process for the victim and their family. Embarrassing, hurtful, and sensitive private information can come to light during the process. If you are a victim of sexual abuse and you’re struggling to pick up the pieces, the sexual abuse attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP can ensure that your privacy is respected as much as possible during the legal process. If you’re a victim of sexual abuse, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced member of our legal team and learn more about how a compassionate and dedicated Brooklyn sexual abuse lawyer from our law firm can help guide you through the complex legal process.
Common Signs Of Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is a deeply traumatic experience and may manifest in a variety of signs and symptoms. These signs and symptoms can vary from person to person. It’s important to note that on their own, these signs and symptoms don’t necessarily indicate sexual abuse. However, they can be a potential indicator that someone has experienced abuse.
Common signs include:
- Unexplained and sudden changes in personality, mood, or behavior
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Increased aggression
- Regressive behaviors, such as excessive clinging, thumbsucking, or bedwetting
- Age-inappropriate knowledge regarding sexual language or anatomy
- Increased fear and anxiety
- Nightmares
- Panic attacks or generalized anxiety
- Suicidal thoughts
- Insomnia
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
- Self-harming behavior
- Difficulty trusting others
- Engaging in risky behaviors
- Fear of physical contact
What Compensation Can Victims of Sexual Abuse Recover?
The amount you’ll receive from a settlement or award can vary based on the facts of a case. The long-term impact on the victim’s emotional and mental health, the extent of trauma suffered, and other variables will come into play when negotiating a settlement or when pursuing compensation and justice in court.
The victim of sexual abuse may be entitled to the following types of damages:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Past and future medical bills
- Past and future lost income
- Costs of therapy
- Mental anguish
And other economic and non-economic damages.
How Can a Brooklyn Sexual Abuse Attorney Help?
As a survivor of sexual abuse, you may not know where to turn or how to hold your abuser accountable for the harm you have suffered. During this painful time, you don’t have to go through the legal process alone. At Parker Waichman LLP, our sexual abuse attorneys can give you the support you need throughout the legal process, guiding and advising you, every step of the way.
During this time, your attorney can also help by:
- Consulting with experts to determine the compensation you’re entitled to
- Conducting an investigation
- Gathering evidence
- Filing paperwork
- Interviewing witnesses
- Negotiating with the proper parties
- Filing a lawsuit and taking your case to court, if necessary
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