Understanding the Effects of Sexual Abuse

If you have been sexually assaulted or abused at any point in your life, you know all too well how traumatic that abuse can be, both when it is occurring and for months, years, or even decades afterwards. However, there are many specific effects of this sort of mistreatment that many sexual abuse victims have trouble connecting directly to the attack(s) they experienced—effects which, if they choose to file suit against their abuser(s) and the people who enabled them, could be factored into a demand for civil compensation.

Understanding the effects of sexual abuse entails, first and foremost, understanding that every person reacts to abuse in different ways, and what you are experiencing does not have to match what anyone else is experiencing in order to be a valid and understandable response to trauma. With that said, here are some of the more common forms of harm that sexual abuse can result in, so you can have a better idea of what you might have grounds to sue over with a compassionate sexual abuse attorney’s assistance.

Physical Versus Psychological Effects of Abuse

Typically, the legal basis for a personal injury lawsuit is some kind of physical injury that stemmed directly from the actions of the defendant(s) named in the lawsuit and which was serious enough to require some form of professional medical care. In the context of sexual abuse litigation, any physical trauma caused directly by an act of sexual assault can generally serve as grounds for a lawsuit, as can more indirect effects, such as the contraction of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or an unwanted pregnancy.

However, the vast majority of the negative effects which generally stem from sexual assault and abuse are emotional and psychological in nature, including but certainly not limited to:

• Difficulty with school and/or work
• Eating and/or sleeping disorders
• Concentration, memory, and other cognitive problems
• Anxiety, depression, and/or suicidal ideation
• Self-esteem and self-image problems
• Difficulty forming and maintaining intimate relationships
• Increased propensity for substance addiction and other impulsive behaviors

This kind of harm can also serve as grounds for civil litigation, but in a slightly different way than physical injuries can.

Filing Suit Over Emotional Effects of Abuse

In many states, it is possible to file civil suit over sexual abuse even if it does not result in any demonstratable physical injuries, because someone who sexually assaults or abuses another person has engaged in what is often referred to as “intentional infliction of emotional distress.” While the exact definition of this term can vary from state to state, it generally entails someone knowingly and egregiously doing something that can be reasonably expected to cause severe emotional distress in anyone targeted by such behavior.

It is worth mentioning as well that it is not strictly necessary to prove that an act of sexual abuse resulted in specific negative effects “beyond a reasonable doubt.” This is because that standard of proof is only applicable to criminal cases over sexual assault and abuse, whereas civil claims are beholden to a less strict standard of “based on a preponderance of the evidence.”

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A Qualified Attorney Can Help Sue Over the Effects of Sexual Abuse

Understanding the effects of sexual abuse can be emotionally challenging, whether you have experienced sexual abuse yourself or are just trying to help a friend or family member with their own experience. Either way, it is important to have some idea of what this kind of mistreatment can do to a person, since those negative effects will be what virtually any ensuing civil lawsuit will center around.

Representation from a seasoned sexual abuse lawyer can be crucial to both understanding your rights and to effectively enforcing those rights to the fullest extent possible. Call today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a member of our team and learn how Phillips Law Group can help you.