It seems no one is immune to the dark proclivities of some people. Even stars such as Matthew McConaughey could not escape sexual abuse. New Mexico victims of this type of assault may find inspiration and some solace in his story.
McConaughey reveals in his new book that he was once knocked unconscious and molested by a man when he was just 18 years old. In addition, he says that his first sexual experience was not consensual. He says the other party used blackmail to convince him to participate. Both instances qualify as sexual abuse, even if no physical violence was involved in the first encounter, which happened when he was just 15 years old.
He goes on to say that he does not think of himself as a victim because the world around him showed him that he could find happiness. Sadly, not everyone who goes through similar situations fares as well. There are surely sexual abuse victims here in New Mexico and elsewhere that have a much harder time moving forward with their lives. In some cases, holding the perpetrator accountable may help move the healing process forward.
It is unclear whether McConaughey’s abusers were held accountable through either the criminal or civil courts, but these are options that victims of sexual abuse may make use of. Even if the criminal justice system does not provide the closure they need, a civil suit might. As part of the healing process, individuals who suffered this type of abuse at the hands of another party may benefit from discussing their situations with a compassionate and knowledgeable attorney to gain an understanding of their rights and legal options.
