Camden Sexual Assault Lawyer

It’s an unfortunate reality that sexual assault and abuse occur as frequently as they do in the United States. Statistics from the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) show that one out of every six American women and one in 33 American men have been victims of an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. These are only the ones that have been reported.

If someone has sexually taken advantage of you in New Jersey, a Camden sexual assault lawyer can advise you if you’re eligible to pursue legal action against the person who caused you harm. Our lawyers at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan are compassionate and understanding of the trauma you have suffered, and we want to assure you that your initial consultation with us is free and completely confidential.

We are here to help you take charge of your life again and to ensure that the perpetrator is held responsible for what they’ve done.

What Is Sexual Assault?

The term refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the victim. Some forms of sexual assault include:

• Unwanted touching
• Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts
• Attempted rape
• Penetration of the victim’s body (rape)
• Non-contact sexual abuse (threats of violence, verbal sexual harassment, etc.)

According to data from Camden County Police, there were 55 reported rapes in 2020, an 18% decrease from 2019; however, these attacks still occur. If you or someone you know has suffered from sexual assault or abuse, you should consider contacting local law enforcement or Camden County Sexual Violence Services at 877-295-7378.

Additionally, New Jersey State Police have created a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) that provides compassionate and all-inclusive medical care and emotional support and gathers crucial evidence at the same time. It is always the victim’s choice to activate SART, and it can be activated at any time on any day and up to seven days after the attack.

It’s important to understand that this type of assault can occur anywhere to anyone at any time, and it is never the victim’s fault.

How Sexual Violence Affects Victims and Their Families

When an individual chooses to harm another person by assault or abuse, they often cause harm beyond the initial act. Sexual violence has been seen to cause long-term harm not only to the victims of abuse but to their friends and families as well. Also, per the previously cited RAINN resource, the following are common effects of sexual abuse or assault:

• 70% of rape or sexual assault victims experience moderate to severe distress, a larger percentage than any other violent crime
• 38% of victims experience work or school problems, such as significant issues with a boss, coworker, or peer
• 37% experience family or friend problems, such as being argumentative or not trusting those close to them

Victims of sexual assault are 3.4 times more likely to use marijuana, six times more likely to use cocaine, and 10 times more likely to use other major drugs. Additionally, those who have suffered abuse or assault are likely to suffer from one or more of the following:

• Depression
• Flashbacks
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Self-harm
• Eating disorders
• Sleep disorders
• Suicidal thoughts
• Panic attacks
• Dissociation

If you or someone you know has developed any of these symptoms or any other concerning behaviors and you believe they may have suffered from assault or abuse, a Camden sexual assault lawyer is available to help. At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, we have attorneys waiting to take your confidential call and discuss how we can assist you during this tough time, so reach out to us now.

Legal Options for Helping Sexual Assault Victims

Another RAINN resource outlines estimates that out of every 1,000 sexual assaults, only 310 get reported, and only 25 of the perpetrators are incarcerated for their crime. The vast majority of these crimes go unreported due to many reasons, such as:

• Fear of retaliation from either the perpetrator or their family
• Belief that police or other authorities wouldn’t do anything to help
• Belief that the assault or abuse is a personal matter
• Belief that the abuse or assault was unimportant
• Not wanting to get the perpetrator in trouble

There is also often a sense of shame connected to cases of abuse or assault, whether from the victims themselves or outside sources such as friends, family, or community. The incident may have occurred years ago, and the victim may not want to dredge up the past, or everything might be too fresh and too traumatic to discuss.

We’re Here For You Following Your Sexual Assault in NJ

Whatever the circumstances surrounding the sexual abuse you or someone close to you endured, you likely have a viable case if another person took advantage of you without your consent. So, if you want to know your legal options, consider reaching out to our law office. We’ll put you in touch with an experienced and compassionate Camden sexual assault lawyer when you do.

At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, our lawyers are sympathetic to your situation, and your free consultation will always be confidential. You do not have to fight for justice alone.