There are several kinds of help that someone who has suffered from sexual abuse should receive, including:
- Emergency care including medical and law enforcement
- Psychological and emotional help
- Support network
- Spiritual care
- Legal help
This advice is not intended to replace professional medical care, treatment, and guidance. We strongly recommend that a medical professional create a program that addresses the sensitive and personal needs of a sexual abuse survivor.
Emergency Help for Sexual Abuse Victims
For life-threatening situations that involve violence and/or critical medical care, call 9-1-1. Sexual abuse victims should also be examined by a medical doctor as soon as possible after the attack. There are several reasons for taking swift action, including:
- Medical care and pain relief for the victim.
- Preserve biological evidence for law enforcement and prosecution.
- Testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) including venereal diseases, genital herpes, and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS.
- Emergency contraceptive measures.
Depending on the severity of the victim’s injuries, they may be admitted to the hospital after receiving emergency department care.
Emotional and Psychological Care for Sexual Abuse Survivors
Someone who has suffered sexual abuse should receive counseling and therapy from a licensed mental health professional. Sexual abuse survivors are often overwhelmed by conflicting emotions. Emotional counseling gives them a safe place to vent their feelings and express themselves.
Emotional counseling for sexual abuse survivors may also help to:
- Identify warning signs of potential self-harm or suicide.
- Uncover blocked memories that may allow the victim to move on.
- Develop healthy coping skills for dealing with their emotions.
- Enhance counseling with medication for anxiety and depression as needed.
There is no timeline for emotional recovery. It is an intensely personal journey that requires patience, consistency, and compassion.
Support Network of Family and Friends
It can be difficult for family and friends of a sexual abuse victim to find the right words. Regardless, family and friends can provide a wellspring of support for those recovering from sexual abuse.
As a family member or friend, you may help a loved one when you:
- Ask your loved one for specifics that they need, whether it is talking or simply enjoying a television show together.
- Avoid judgmental statements that can make your loved one feel as though they should have reported the abuser sooner, or that they should be “over” the situation.
- Have patience if your loved one accepts a social invitation and then abruptly cancels.
The bottom line is that sexual abuse survivors benefit from a loving support system of family and friends.
Spiritual Help for Sexual Abuse Survivors
Some sexual abuse survivors find comfort in religious or spiritual beliefs. This may include attending services, talking with a religious or spiritual advisor, or reading or listening to religious or spiritual material.
Preventative Care and Personal Safety
Sexual abuse victims tend to be acutely aware of personal safety issues. They often know their attackers, such as the victims affected by the Boy Scouts of America sex abuse case.
There are several ways that a survivor can help feel safer with proactive steps, including:
- Involve law enforcement for restraining orders and other legal protections.
- Install new door and window locks.
- Install an alarm system.
- Take a self-defense class.
- Guard their identity on social media.
These steps can help a survivor feel more in control, which is helpful as they recover.
Legal Help for Sexual Abuse Survivors
Filing a lawsuit against sexual abusers is often a therapeutic release for survivors. While legal action cannot remove the trauma or memory of the abuse, victims can hold their abusers liable. This includes institutions and organizations that shielded the alleged sexual abusers, including the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).
There are currently lawsuits against the BSA for alleged sexual abuse, according to Reuters. There is also evidence that the BSA engaged in a coverup that protected the alleged abusers and allowed them to quietly resign rather than face charges, according to the Associated Press.
Call for a Free Case Evaluation
Our law firm accepts sexual abuse civil lawsuits, including those victims affected by the BSA sex abuse case. We can help you pursue financial recovery and justice for your suffering.
For a free case evaluation, please call D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ at (713) 850-8600.
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