Sexual abuse involves any sexual activity that takes place without consent. Also known as sexual assault or sexual violence, it is the unwanted touching, fondling, or penetration of intimate parts. It can include unwanted contact over or under clothing, harassing communications, or showing or threatening to show sexual images of the victim to others. The abuse triggers shock, fear, and sadness and may lead to an anxiety or depressive disorder.

No matter which act occurs, it is not the victim’s fault, and help is available to begin healing from such abuse.

How Common Is Sexual Abuse?

According to Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), an American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. Hundreds of thousands of people are affected each year; on average, there are 463,634 victims. People between the ages of 12 and 34, Native Americans, and women, especially young women, are more at risk.

That’s not to say that men and boys are not sexually abused. Millions of American men and boys have been victims of sexual assault, and 1 out of every 10 victims of rape are men.

What Are the Signs of Sexual Abuse?

A survivor of sexual violence can experience psychological, emotional, and physical effects. They aren’t easy to deal with, but with the right help and support, they can be managed. Signs that an adult may have been sexually assaulted include:

  • an eating disorder,
  • depression,
  • panic attacks,
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),
  • pregnancy,
  • self-harming behavior,
  • sexually transmitted infections,
  • sleep disorders,
  • substance abuse, and
  • suicidal thoughts.

Statistics on the Perpetrators of Sexual Violence

Most sexual assault survivors are acquainted with their attacker. In fact, 8 out of 10 rapes are committed by someone the victim knows. Other disturbing statistics show perpetrators are an acquaintance (39%), current or former spouse or significant other (33%), more than one person or the victim cannot remember (6%), a non-spouse relative (2.5%), or a stranger (19.5%).

Why Sexual Abuse Survivors Are Afraid to Speak Up

It can be difficult for someone who has never endured sexual abuse to understand why a victim would stay silent.

Survivors may be afraid to tell their stories for fear of not being believed. They may feel too ashamed to say anything or guilt themselves for what happened. Perpetrators may force victims to remain silent by threatening them. Survivors may also hesitate to speak up due to apprehension of how they will be perceived by others.

What Can I Do to Support a Survivor of Sexual Abuse?

Loved ones of survivors want to do anything they can to help, but usually, they’re unsure of how to respond. Learning how to support a survivor can make all the difference. Should the time come, remember the important acronym TALK.

  • Thank them for telling you. Example sentences include, “It takes a lot of courage to come forward. Thank you.” and “Thank you for sharing. I know it must be hard to talk about this.”
  • Ask how you can help. For example, you could say, “I’m here and not going anywhere. What do you need from me?” and “You did not do anything wrong. How can I support you?”
  • Listen without judgment. Give your undivided attention, focus on their feelings, and use supportive phrases such as, “I believe you,” “You are not alone,” and “It’s not your fault.”
  • Keep supporting. Healing takes time; they need ongoing support and love. Reach out regularly and check in on their emotions. Offer normalcy by still offering to do things together that they’ve always enjoyed.

Moving Forward With Legal Assistance

At O’Brien Law Firm, we are committed to supporting survivors of sexual abuse with compassionate legal advocacy. Coming forward requires tremendous courage, and we are here to listen, answer your questions, and discuss your legal options.

Our attorney Grant Boyd has an established reputation for advocating aggressively and strongly on behalf of those who suffered from sexual abuse. He acts diligently and fast to protect victims, have the offender held accountable, and make sure that deadlines for filing legal claims are not missed.

If you or someone you know were sexually abused, know that help is available. Schedule your free case evaluation with the O’Brien Law Firm by contacting us online or calling us at (314) 588-0558.