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Taking Action Against An Abuser

12 June 2018 by Kenneth Graham

As you age, memories of past molestation can be hard to process and live with. If you suffered this kind of abuse as a child, it's possible that you're still trying to heal and make the future better. Suing the person who molested you as a child can many times provide some relief; it can at times ensure that the person cannot do the same acts to others. If you're thinking about this, consider these lawsuit-related tips.

1-Check Deadlines

Because you're now an adult, you may think that too much time has passed for you to sue your childhood molester. In fact, many states have a long statute of limitations for this crime. Some states have no deadline at all. Check with courts or a child molestation lawyer nearby to know for sure.

Even if the deadline has passed insofar as a criminal lawsuit, you might actually still have the right to file a separate, civil lawsuit. If you win, you can receive monetary damages from the person.

2-Use a Fake Name

Your own feelings of shame and pain may have been preventing you from suing your abuser. You might think that your name will be all over court documents and could become public. This is best avoided by use of a fake name or pseudonym. A psuedonym --a name of your choosing --often allowed in molestation cases to protect victims. This will allow you to retain some anonymity.

3-Seek Therapy

Even if you feel like you've coped well with your past, a therapist could be beneficial, particularly when taking legal action. Your therapist will examine your coping mechanisms to see if they're leading to productive choices and relationships. More than that, if you're committed to suing the person who molested you, your therapist will give you skills to enable you to handle the process with grace.

It can be jarring to see your abuser in court and hurtful to have to relive certain details about what transpired; your therapist can work with you to prevent negative consequences for your mental and emotional health. There could be times when the legal process seems to be taking too long, or the tide seems to be working against you. Your therapist will be by your side, so don't give up on the case too soon.

The trauma of being molested as a child is difficult to move on from. However, when you sue the perpetrator, you can reclaim some of your own power. Work alongside a child molestation attorney who understands these issues so you can win whatever legal action you initiate.

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