6 Qualities To Look For In A Sexual Abuse Attorney
Anyone who has experienced sexual abuse will know how difficult it is to come out and talk about what happened.
The sense of shame, guilt and fear is so intense that victims find it difficult to even think about sharing their ordeal with anyone else. In most cases, the victim also feels responsible for the incident, because they trust the abuser or they are in some sort of relationship with them.
Getting in touch with a sexual abuse attorney can be hugely beneficial In such scenarios. This is because they have an insider’s knowledge of the legal system and can advise you on what steps to take next.
Here are some qualities you should look out for in a sexual abuse attorney:
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1. Gender Responsiveness
Sexual abuse cases are often seen in courtrooms where men are the accused and female victims are giving their testimonies. Often, the defense attorney will try to discredit the victim’s testimony by diminishing the severity of the incident, bringing up the victim’s past and questioning their integrity.
In such situations, it is important that your attorney is gender responsive. This means that they have been trained to identify and respond to situations in which the defense attorney is trying to invalidate the victim’s testimony because of their gender.
2. High Level of Expertise
Your attorney should be confident in what they are doing and have the necessary skills and expertise to win the case. This means that they should have the ability to read a jury, know how to get a settlement, or know how to present the facts in the most convincing manner.
3. Honesty
Sexual abuse cases can be complex, and so you need an attorney you can trust completely and know that they will not lie to you or misguide you at any point. Only if you have complete trust in your attorney will you be able to come out with your story and work with them on your case.
4. Good Communication Skills
As the client, you should feel comfortable opening up to your sexual abuse attorney. You should be able to express your thoughts and feelings to your attorney and get a sense of reassurance.
However, communication is a two-way process, and your attorney should be able to respond to your queries clearly and professionally. They should also reach out to you openly, especially if there are any major developments in your case.
5. Experience in Court
Sexual abuse cases are extremely difficult to prove in court. This is because the standard of proof and the amount of evidence that is required to prove guilt, is very high. This is why it is important to choose an attorney who has experience in presenting cases in court.
Your attorney should be able to present your case in the best possible way, so that the judge believes you and finds the abuser guilty. This will help you get the justice that you deserve and stop the abuser from harming anyone else in the future.
6. Committed To Justice
Your attorney’s commitment to justice should not end with the trial. If you win the case and the judge gives a verdict that the abuser has to pay you a certain amount, the attorney’s job isn’t done.
Your attorney should help you collect the money that you are owed, even if the abuser is not willing to cough up the cash. This is because the court has the authority to garnish wages, freeze assets and take away other property from the abuser until you are paid in full.
The Bottom Line
Sexual abuse is a very sensitive subject, and it can have a huge impact on your life. If you have undergone sexual abuse, it is important that you speak up and get the justice that you deserve.
You can achieve this by hiring a sexual abuse attorney who can guide you through the process and help you win your case against the abuser. The qualities listed above should help you hire the best attorney you can find and take the first step towards justice.
