Sexual abuse can take many forms in a relationship, from verbal pressure to physical force. Knowing the signs can help victims take action to leave relationships and get help.
If you are a victim of sexual abuse in a relationship, the West Palm Beach sexual assault lawyers at GOLDLAW can help you.
What Are the Signs of Sexual Abuse in a Relationship?
The signs of sexual abuse in a relationship can include non-consensual sexual activity, non-consensual intimate photographs, removing a condom without consent, physical or emotional abuse to coerce sexual relations, and emotional abuse centered around sexuality or gender. If you are the victim of sexual abuse, a West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer from GOLDLAW can help you hold the perpetrator financially accountable for the harm they’ve caused.
Non-Consensual Sexual Activity
This includes any act of a sexual nature that has not been consented to. It can include penetration, but also inappropriate touching or oral sex. Removing a condom without the knowledge or consent of a partner, also known as stealthing, is a form of sexual abuse.
It could also involve threats or coercion that force someone to engage in sexual activities or degrading behavior.
Isolation
While isolation does not involve sexual acts, it can be a sign of sexual abuse in a relationship. Isolation is when an abuser keeps their victim from seeing family or friends, or building relationships outside.
It is a tactic that can leave victims feeling helpless or like they have no one they can turn to.
Economic Control
An abuser may try to coerce sex or keep a partner from leaving by exerting economic control over them. This can include refusing to let their partner work, demanding their partner’s paychecks, or controlling their bank account and credit cards.
Intimidation
Threatening harm to themself or their partner, or acting violently, even if not directed at their
partner, can leave their victim fearful of saying “no.”
Harassment and Stalking
Repeatedly messaging, calling, or following a partner to intimidate them. Keeping track of their social media accounts and ensuring that a partner doesn’t engage with anyone else online.
Emotional Abuse
Examples of emotional abuse include name-calling and deliberately making a partner feel uncomfortable or lesser, manipulating a partner or their children, destroying possessions, and mocking their partner.
Physical Violence
Sexual violence and other forms of physical violence in a relationship can often appear together. Physical violence can include pushing, slapping, hitting, or kicking. It may also include holding a victim to prevent them from leaving.
For a free legal consultation, call 561-222-2222
What Injuries Can Sexual Assault Cause?
In addition to the traumatic mental and emotional effects of abuse, there are often physical injuries and issues that arise. These can include:
- Soft tissue damage.
- Internal organ damage.
- Sexually transmitted diseases or infections.
- Scarring or disfigurement.
- Unwanted pregnancy.
- Broken bones.
In addition to the physical pain, these can all have costly effects on your future. You may face a permanent disability or be unable to have children in the future. Abusers should be held accountable for the harm that’s been done. The legal team at GOLDLAW can help.
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How Can a Sexual Assault Help After Sexual Abuse in a Relationship?
Sexual abuse can leave a lifetime of harm in its wake. You may struggle emotionally, deal with PTSD or other mental conditions, or have lifelong physical issues because of the abuse. A lawyer from GOLDLAW can help you pursue compensation from the abuser to help cover medical bills and other losses you’ve suffered.
Your attorney can:
- Gather evidence to prove that the abuse occurred.
- Handle all communications with the other party on your behalf.
- File all necessary paperwork and ensure it is filed within any required legal deadlines.
- Fight for compensation to cover the full scope of your losses.
- Represent you in court, when necessary.
Most cases take under a year. The legal team at GOLDLAW works on contingency, so you won’t pay anything upfront. Instead, their fees are taken as a percentage of the recovered compensation. You Will Never Get a Bill.
Call or text 561-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
What Compensation Can You Recover After Sexual Abuse in a Relationship?
After sexual abuse, you may face medical bills or be unable to return to work while recovering. These costs can quickly add up and become overwhelming. Your lawyer will look at the full scope of your losses and may consult with medical professionals so that they can fight for the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
You may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical bills, including future expected medical needs like physical therapy.
- Lost wages and lost work benefits.
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
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What Should You Do If You Have Been Sexually Abused in a Relationship?
If you have been sexually abused in a relationship, the most important step is to protect your safety. You should get somewhere safe, report the abuse to the police, and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Seek mental health counseling as well.
After protecting your health and safety, reach out to a sexual assault lawyer. They can help you with the next steps, from gathering evidence of abuse to ensuring your legal rights are protected.
Contact a Sexual Assault Attorney in West Palm Beach
The signs of sexual abuse in a relationship may be subtle at first and can include inappropriate or unwanted touching before escalating. If you are the victim of sexual abuse in a relationship, remember that it is not your fault. The only party responsible is the abuser.
The legal team at GOLDLAW will provide empathetic and dedicated legal services. Get GOLDLAW and get the help you need and the compensation you deserve.
Reach out today to schedule a free consultation.
