What might cause a person to hesitate to report sexual abuse?

On Behalf of | Mar 8, 2022 | Sexual Abuse - Plaintiff

Victims of unlawful acts may retain the right to seek justice, but it might not always be so easy to initiate such a process. Unfortunately, there may be certain scenarios in which a person may be afraid of what might happen after filing a complaint, or it could even prove difficult to acknowledge what took place. Individuals in New Mexico who are subjected to sexual abuse might benefit from knowing some of the reasons people might hesitate to come forward with complaints, as this could help them better prepare to safeguard their interests.

According to studies, there are a variety of reasons why a person might be hesitant or afraid to come forward and bring the matter to light, some of which might include:

  • Traumatic experience: Those who go through such a potentially traumatic experience may be left in shock or and the idea of confronting the situation can be an intimidating concept.
  • What might happen: It might not be uncommon for victims to worry that no one would believe them, especially if the other party involved is well-respected or in a position of power.
  • Who is to blame: In some cases, experts indicate that victims of misconduct may also feel that they are somehow partly responsible for what took place.
  • Emotional repercussions: Victims may also be afraid of the possible emotional repercussions involved should they come forward with a complaint and fail to get justice.

Victims of sexual misconduct may also wonder if it will even make a difference or think that nothing can erase the damage that has already been done.

Individuals who are subjected to sexual abuse may struggle to even talk about the situation, and they might not know how best to come forward with their stories and seek justice. Fortunately, there are attorneys in New Mexico who can help a person better understand all his or her legal rights and options and provide insight on what to expect from the subsequent process. An attorney can help a client better prepare to protect his or her interests through the proper channels and assist in navigating every step of the process.

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