Advice From a Sexual Assault Victim Lawyer
Victims often keep sexual assault, molestation or harassment a secret for many reasons. These reasons (not in any order of importance) such as embarrassment or fear of not being believed can harm your case without you even realizing it. What is the harm? What should victims know that might jeopardize their good case and turn it into the usual “victim blaming” crudo that we hear in courtrooms around the world? Well, let’s think about the line of questioning that a lawyer might ask you, and what a potential jury might hear if this goes to court. A sexual assault victims attorney representing you, the plaintiff in this case, might have a better understanding of why you did not tell anyone before seeking legal advice. As a former long time sex crimes prosecutor used to dealing with several victims every day, I am aware that fear, embarrassment, family dynamics, and employment situations might play a huge role in why someone waits to tell their story. In high profile cases if the victim is famous, they certainly don’t want the world to know their business. I would know how to argue these positions as I have dealt with all of them.
The flip side to this is the lawyer representing the defendant who is chomping at the bit to ask the plaintiff “wait, this act or actions by my client were so egregious yet you never told anyone this was going on for all this time? You never thought to tell a family member, a police officer, a supervisor at work or your best friend?” Come on, surely if this was so bad you would not have been able to keep this in”. That’s just the questions out of the gate, and it could just goes downhill from there. Now, is there time to explain why you might not have told anyone in your circle? Yes, but the lawyer will couch it in a way that makes you look weak, not serious and maybe just looking for money.
What’s the best advice? Don’t be embarrassed! Plenty of victims are experiencing what you have gone through. Fear will subside if you have people to talk to about your situation. Your family will have to realize that if you don’t bring it up now, you will be mentally in a bad place later. The bottom line tell someone, that someone can help you and even be a witness for you. Keeping it a secret gives the opponent the upper edge.
Sexual Assault Victim Lawyer Stacey Honowitz
Call me today at 786-281-8848, I have seen and heard it all and can help you navigate a solution.