New Study Discusses Costs of Rape and Sexual Assault

Traditionally post-traumatic stress disorder and depression are considered to be the most common psychological consequences of rape or sexual assault. However, according to Medicalxpress.com, a new study from The University of Texas at Austin shows that female victims of sexual assault suffer from a range of debilitating psychological effects that may often go unnoticed or undiagnosed. The study found significant negative consequences of rape and attempted sexual assault in “13 domains of psychological and social functioning including self-esteem, social reputation, sexual desire and self-perceived mate value.”
NY Sexual Assault Statistics
According to FDNY statistics, the department reported 991 transports of rape victims to city hospitals in the year 2008. During the same year, 27 New York City emergency departments reported 1,367 patients treated for sexual assault. Also, in 2008, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) received 890 reports of first-degree rape and the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) reported 944 arrests for first- to third-degree rape.
Injuries and Damages
This new study shows that while the physical scars of surviving a sexual assault can take weeks or months to heal, the emotional and psychological scars remain for a much longer time. It is important to understand that criminal prosecution in such cases does not provide victims with monetary compensation. Victims do incur significant medical expenses and psychological therapy costs over the years. A personal injury claim in a civil court can help them recover compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical bills, counseling costs, lost wages and benefits, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
Compensation for Sexual Assault Victims
The experienced New York personal injury attorneys with the Law Offices of Kenneth A.
Wilhelm have a strong record of helping victims of sexual assault. Our attorneys obtained a $2,500,000 settlement after an 11-year-old girl was raped in the elevator of her Bronx apartment building because the offenders had an elevator pass key. The offenders were able to make a copy of the key, which led to the sexual assault. We argued that the building manager in this case should have had better oversight and key control.
We also obtained $800,000 for a woman who was raped because of a faulty door lock. Our attorney put pressure on the defense until a settlement was reached before having to involve any witnesses or the victim. If you or a loved one is a victim of sexual assault in New York, please call our offices 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: Medicalxpress.com