5 Steps to Take After an Assault

Dealing with assault isn’t easy. Here’s what you need to do if this happens.

Dealing with assault can be confusing, stressful, and emotionally draining. Whether you’re still recovering from the physical trauma or your assault happened months ago, you may still have some incredible emotions and strong feelings regarding the attack. It’s important to understand that you do have options when it comes to moving forward. Nobody expects to be assaulted, and having this experience can be very jarring and scary. If you have been assaulted, there are several steps you should take.

1. Report the assault.

Your first step is to report the assault. You may need to file a police report and answer questions about what happened. This can be an emotional experience; however, it is the first step in creating a paper trail and documenting what happened during the assault. Make sure you are as clear as possible in your statement. Try to give as many specific details as possible.

2. Get medical care.

It’s vital that you get medical care as soon as possible. Understand that even if your injuries appear to be minor, your physician may notice some physical problems that you don’t see right away. Even bruises and minor cuts are important to document, so visit your doctor as soon as you can.

3. Seek emotional care.

Dealing with an assault can be traumatizing. Talk with someone who can help you. This could be a doctor, a nurse, a friend, or even a therapist. Make sure you’re taking time to care for yourself during this experience. Sometimes you may experience a variety of emotions, including fear, anger, stress, or even frustration. Talking with someone can help.

4. Avoid talking about the assault online.

While you may be tempted to vent on social media, try to avoid doing this. It’s important that you speak with an attorney before you discuss any details about the assault. This is because opposing counsel may try to discredit you, and they’ll use anything they can to do so. Even an innocent social media post can be interpreted incorrectly, so make sure you talk with your lawyer about what you should or should not post.

5. Meet with your lawyer quickly.

Don’t wait to meet with your attorney. Your lawyer is your best bet at moving forward after the assault. They’ll analyze your case and help create an incredible defense that will help you. Talk with your lawyer about how you can start to move forward, as well as what steps you can take. Most importantly, be fully honest with your attorney. If you have received threats or harassing phone calls or messages since the attack, always let your attorney know exactly what’s going on.

Call today to schedule a consultation with an attorney who can talk with you about your personal injury case. Your lawyer will be able to tell you what options you have for moving forward and can help you take those next steps.