The month of April is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, providing an opportunity devoted to educating people about sexual assault and its victims. The #MeToo movement, along with survivors who have courageously shared their stories, has showcased the prevalence of sexual abuse in society today. Our experienced and compassionate sexual abuse attorneys, Derek Layser, Melissa Paris Miller, and Megan Knoll are currently representing multiple sexual assault and sexual abuse victims in civil lawsuits against teachers, school districts, and daycare centers. The brave survivors that our firm is representing have inspired us to share important information regarding sexual abuse throughout Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Keep reading to learn more about sexual assault and what to do if it happens to you.
DID YOU KNOW…?
Did you know that every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted?
Did you know that 9 out of every 10 victims of rape are female?
Did you know that 3% of American men (1 in 33) have experienced rape?
Did you know that most sexual assaults happen at or near the victim’s home, often by someone the victim knows or trusts?
Did you know that victims of childhood sexual abuse are four times more likely to abuse drugs, four times more likely to experience PTSD as adults, and three times more likely to experience major depressive episodes?
WHAT IS SEXUAL ASSAULT?
Sexual assault is when someone is forced to engage in a sexual act against their will. Anyone from young children to the elderly can be a victim of sexual assault.
While sexual abuse can happen anywhere, most acts of sexual abuse occur in places that should be considered safe spaces such as,
- Schools
- Foster homes
- Religious institutions
- Extracurricular activities/clubs
- Daycare centers
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
Sexual abuse is not limited to sexual assault and rape. Sexual violations can also include,
- Incest
- Rape
- Sexual assault
- Child molestation
- Domestic sexual abuse.
I WAS SEXUALLY ABUSED – WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse or sexual assault, it is important understand your legal options. Sexual assault and abuse litigation can be complicated. We encourage sexual abuse victims to contact a skilled attorney that can help navigate this process with them and ensure that a lawsuit is filed properly within the statute of limitations. Our attorneys at Friedman Schuman can help you to file a civil lawsuit against your abuser as well as any third-party organization that may have enabled the abuse. Filing a civil lawsuit allows for victims to pursue compensation for damages they endured due to the abuse, such as pain and suffering, loss of income, cost of therapy, medical bills, and more.
WE WILL FIGHT WITH YOU
At Friedman Schuman, we don’t just fight for you – we fight with you. Together, we will hold your abusers accountable for the acts of sexual abuse committed against you and pursue the justice you deserve. With a dedicated Friedman Schuman attorney by your side, you are never alone in your pursuit of justice. If you or a loved one is a survivor of sexual abuse, contact Friedman Schuman today to schedule a free and confidential consultation with a sex abuse attorney.
