According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1 in 3 women and nearly 1 in 4 men experience physical sexual violence in their lifetime. Between one-fourth and one-third of rape victims across genders experienced sexual assault for the first time before the age of 17.
The long-term harm caused by sexual abuse and assault includes:
Physical conditions like sexual performance disorder and unwanted pregnancy
Psychological injuries including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and/or sleep and eating disorders.
Emotional distress that may disrupt healthy relationship building, lead to despair and loneliness, and suicidal thoughts or actions.
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse have are left facing years of after-effects, especially as they develop sexual maturity and begin forming intimate relationships. Sexual violence costs survivors an over $200,000 in a lifetime of lost productivity, criminal justice activities, and medical expenses. For those assaulted as children, the amount gets higher as the years progress.
In addition to counseling and social support, hiring a sexual abuse lawyer can help compensate survivors for their losses and future care.