Sexual harassment is a sensitive subject, and most victims feel uncomfortable discussing it. According to a BBC survey, 63% of women harassed sexually didn’t complain about it. The first thought that comes to mind when you hear the term sexual harassment is usually rape. But, you’ll be surprised to know that sexual harassment is actually a huge umbrella that covers a lot of actions (implicit and explicit).
If you’ve been through an unfortunate incident where you were sexually harassed in any way, you shouldn’t take it lightly. Not speaking about it and taking appropriate action on time might encourage the harasser to continue harassing other women. Having said that, proving the harasser guilty isn’t as simple and straightforward either. It’s not like you’ll say a certain person sexually harassed you, and they’ll accept it.
In the case of sexual harassment, you must approach an experienced sexual harassment lawyer such as the ones at Haeggquist & Eck, LLP. After all, they’re the only people who can walk with you in the journey of ensuring the harasser doesn’t get away with the heinous crime they did.
Before we talk about how a lawyer can help in a sexual harassment case, let’s first under what exactly sexual harassment is and when you should approach a lawyer to help you.
Sexual harassment is any physically or verbally inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature that makes you uncomfortable. It’s not just sexual assault, which most people assume it is. Some actions that come under the umbrella of sexual harassment include:
Now that you’ve got a better idea of what sexual harassment is, you can be more certain if you’ve been a victim of sexual harassment. The moment you realize you're a sexual harassment victim, you must approach a reliable law firm that has experience in handling sexual harassment cases. Once you’re in good hands, you just have to stick to your statement and let the attorney do their job.
If you do not wish to disclose your identity due to the fear of people’s pity and sympathy, a lawyer can help you stay anonymous. Sexual harassment lawyers know how to keep their client’s confidentiality intact. The lawyer will continue to fight in court to get you justice while also safeguarding your identity.
You may not know what to do in the case of sexual harassment. This is where a lawyer can come to your assistance. They can help you understand the law and statute of limitations better. They can also suggest the right course of action based on the type of sexual abuse you dealt with, the timeline, and your circumstances. They’ll help you get answers and clear any confusions or questions you may have.
Without evidence, you don’t stand a chance against your harasser. You certainly wouldn’t go around collecting evidence to support your case. This is a lawyer’s job. Your lawyer collects medical reports, photographs, police reports, other items from the crime scene, and testimonies. They’ll also investigate if the perpetrator has any history of sexual offenses or any other crimes. All of this is crucial to strengthen your case.
It’s natural to get intimidated by your abuse’s presence in the court. Your lawyer will ensure that you don’t have to interact with them. They’ll accompany you to every hearing and handle the communication on your behalf.
Understandably, someone who has been sexually harassed stays traumatized for a very long time. Having to deal with the abuser and ensure they get punished can be a little overwhelming (and scary) for the victim. This is where sexual harassment lawyers come into the picture. Hiring the right lawyer will take a lot of stress off your shoulders and make your legal journey less stressful.