There are several mistakes that survivors can make in bringing a sexual abuse case. One of those mistakes is not hiring a lawyer. It’s important to understand the scope of your legal rights and it’s also important to protect your identity. It’s also important to understand that the information that you give to a third-party could be used against you. Another mistake that we see survivors make is failing to disclose what happened to them to the appropriate authorities. It’s important to tell law enforcement that you were the victim of sexual abuse. While it can be difficult, it is something that’s considered in civil cases. Another mistake that survivors make is they fail to see the appropriate medical provider to document the injuries and damages that they suffered.
Another common mistake that we see for survivors is failing to come forward. It’s important that survivors feel empowered to come forward to tell their story and ultimately hold accountable an organization or an institution for their abuse. We know it’s incredibly difficult for victims to come forward. But what we’ve seen over the years is the empowerment it can give them to go through this system and to hold organizations accountable for their actions so they can receive the resources that they need for healing.
