Ideally, any time that sexual assault or abuse occurs, it should be reported. However, many victims are reluctant to do so. They may feel that nothing can be done to stop it, or they may fear that their abuser could harm them in another way. Thus, they try to forget the event and move on.
Those who are subjected to
sexual abuse by teachers and administration
may feel a sense of shame or guilt. They may feel that they don’t have any choice but to stay with the abuser.
It’s
not uncommon for victims to report sexual assaults months or years
after they occurred
, once they have had time to process what happened to them. Others may choose to never report the crime and may suffer the emotional and physical consequences on their own, never seeking treatment or therapy. Ideally, all victims should report abuse to the authorities. It can also be helpful to speak to a trusted therapist or medical professional. A mental health professional can help victims begin to recover from the trauma and move forward.