The Impact of Sexual Assault on Survivors Is More Than Skin-Deep
The impact of sexual assault is something that no one should ever have to experience. While physical trauma will heal, emotional and psychological trauma will linger for the remainder of an assault survivor’s lifetime. According to data from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), “One in five women and one in seventy-one men will be raped at some point in their lives.” Even more alarming is that most survivors report being assaulted by someone they know.
Impact of Sexual Assault: The Lifetime Cost of Rape
Researchers have estimated that the lifetime cost of rape per victim is $122,461. Unfortunately, some of this cost is paid for by the victim. In a study published by the
American Journal of Public Health, researchers estimated that victims paid an average of $950 in medical bills for treatment after their assault. This means that survivors do not only have to cope with heavy physical and emotional burdens but heavy financial burdens as well.
Unfortunately, many survivors never report being sexually assaulted. According to a study from the National Statistic Institute (ISTAT), researchers found that approximately 91.6% of rapes are not reported to the police. However, in a 2019 New York Times (NYT) report, the New York City Police stated that the number of reported rapes increased by 22.4% within the past year. That equates to roughly 300 more people coming forward to inform police of their assault.
Maureen Curtis, the Director of Criminal Justice Programs for Safe Horizon, believes that the sharp increase in reported rapes may result from shifting cultural landscapes. “[Survivors are] feeling more believed,” said Curtis in an interview with the NYT. “There’s more compassion and less blaming around the person who has been victimized.”
If you were the victim of sexual assault or abuse,
Hach & Rose, LLP's compassionate and understanding
team of attorneys will take aggressive action to seek justice on your behalf. We are here to support you. So contact us to schedule a confidential consultation with a member of our team today.
Update: August 2022
The Adult Survivors Act went into effect on May 24, 2022, which means that the statute of limitations has been lifted for a one-year lookback period.
Adult survivors of sexual assault who were over 18 when the assault occurred can file a civil lawsuit against their abuser. If you or a loved one is a survivor of sexual abuse,
contact us today for a case evaluation. Or
visit our dedicated Sex Abuse Survivor website for more information.