Sexual abuse is a distressingly common issue across the United States, with major institutions often playing a role in facilitating or concealing its impact. When it happens, responsible organizations can be held legally responsible if they might have prevented it but failed. But where exactly does sexual abuse happen, and why does it happen in the first place?
What is Sexual Abuse?
Sexual abuse broadly refers to any kind of nonconsensual sexual contact between two people. This ranges in severity from relatively mild cases of sexual harassment, to violent acts that can cause severe physical and psychological harm to victims. Institutions have a responsibility to ensure that sexual abuse does not happen to the people under their care, but they are sometimes negligent in this duty.
Where Does Sexual Abuse Happen?
Unfortunately, sexual abuse can happen just about anywhere, from schools and churches to businesses, hospitals, and nursing homes. Often, victims are personally familiar with their abuser before they are attacked, and abusers often have a measure of authority over the people they abuse. Teachers may choose to assault a vulnerable student, for example, while a manager might abuse an employee they oversee, a priest might attack a member of their congregation, or a doctor might molest a patient.
Why Does it Happen?
While there is no one specific reason why people commit sexual abuse, the fact of the matter is that these cases would often be preventable if institutions took decisive action to keep abusers away. However, some institutions will engage in negligent hiring practices that allow potential abusers to gain access to victims, while others will prefer to cover up abuse rather than remove a predator from their midst. The result is that victims are put in harm’s way when they should not have been.
What Should You Do?
If you or someone you love has been the victim of sexual abuse, you may be able to hold institutions responsible if their negligence played a part in that abuse. That is why you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling sexual abuse cases like yours. They can help you review your potential legal options, and ensure you get the best possible outcome for your circumstances.
Williams Cedar is a law firm dedicated to helping clients with personal injury, environmental law, and civil rights cases. We specialize in assisting clients who have been injured due to exposure to environmental toxins, including veterans and their loved ones. If you need legal assistance due to toxic exposure or other related matters, please give us a call at our New Jersey and Pennsylvania offices at (215) 557-0099, or visit our contact page.