What are the immediate steps to take if sexually harassed in school or college?
Often times when sexual harassment occurs there are many who are quick to jump to conclusions. Some inevitably believe that he/she must have done something to provoke the harasser, which is a wrong approach. In other words they are potentially blaming the victim when the harasser should be held responsible.
If you are student it is vital to know your rights in case you are sexually harassed and/or assaulted on campus. On the other hand, if you are employed at a school or college, you also have the right to pursue action against the harasser and/or employer. Remember, you have rights under the Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.
Committed sexual harassment legal counselors, who can be located on USAttorneys.com which is a website that brings civility to the masses since it makes it easy for anyone to find several legal counselors that work in any particular legal category in less than a minute, point out that harassment is often meted out by someone known to the victim. This means that victims often face assault from unexpected quarters and are therefore unable to react promptly to stop the harasser.
For the most part there are no set patterns in cases of sexual assault. This means that most attacks are random, which is why there is no way of predicting an assault.
Reactions vary from person to person. For example, some victims may attempt to fight back while others could be too confused and traumatized to stop the harassment. You can see this in Longmire in season 5 when the Native American girl is being beat by her Caucasian husband (she even wanted to remain married to him!). Legal experts reiterate that in many cases the victims are too scared to fend off their harasser or assaulter.
Steps to take after a sexual assault
If you have been sexually harassed or assaulted do not stay at the location. Get away from the crime scene and go somewhere where you feel safe and contact someone you trust so that you can tell them about the incident. It is fundamental to report the assault to the appropriate school or college authorities immediately.
Get a forensic and physical exam
According to legal experts, a forensic and physical exam can not only help catch the culprit but also offers the opportunity for you to receive timely medication to prevent various sexual transmitted diseases and perhaps even a pregnancy. You will be also thoroughly examined by a nurse who will collect physical evidence of the assault.
Protecting forensic evidence after an assault
To begin with, you must submit to a forensic analysis as soon as possible. It would be prudent not to shower or bathe until the examination is conducted and do not dispose or wash your clothes afterwards. If you need to change get hold of a brown paper bag and place all your clothes and accessories in the bag. Never use a plastic bag because you will inevitably contaminate the evidence. It is prudent to handover the evidence as soon as possible although it can be preserved for up to 72 hours.
Start the process of recovery immediately. Your bodily wounds will perhaps heal sooner than your mental trauma. So speak with a counselor who is authorized by your college or someone off campus.
If you are assaulted or face any type of harassment on campus, make sure to reach out to a hardworking and reliable sexual harassment lawyer in Brooklyn, New York who can guide you on how to proceed legally. With the involvement of a lawyer school authorities will be aware that you are serious about pursuing the matter legally, and will take necessary steps to deal with the harassment.
To find the legal representative you need get on USAttorneys.com and use the interactive map to find legal assistance. You will have more than one choice, you will have several. Make the call today!
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