Q: What is considered sexual assault?
A: Sexual Assault is any unwanted sexual, physical, or verbal act that forces someone to have sexual contact against his or her will. This type of assault is usually motivated by the need to control, harm, and humiliate the victim. Examples of sexual assault are:
- Rape
- Incest
- Oral sex
- Molestation
- Forcing someone to pose for pictures
- Unwanted touching
Q: What is rape?
A: Rape is a specific type of sexual assault. It is not a crime of passion but a crime of violence, mostly used to scare or degrade the victim. In many cases, the victims of these crimes are assaulted by an intimate partner, relative, friend, or acquaintance.
Q: What should I do if I’ve been sexually abused or I know someone who’s been abused?
A: Immediately report the incident to the police, specifically a detective who specializes in sexual abuse cases. You should immediately have a hospital or health care provider check for physical signs of abuse and check for sexually transmitted diseases. Contact Jackson O’Keefe immediately for additional assistance.
Q: What damages may I recover if I have been sexually abused?
A: If you have been sexually abused you may be entitled to past and future medical bills, mental health treatment, past and future wage loss, and damages for pain, suffering and emotional distress, as well as punitive damages.