If you have been sexually assaulted at work, you should seek medical attention right away. You should then notify the local police department and report the situation to your employer, such as your supervisor or human resources (HR) department.
You should document the incident and be sure to detail everything. Maintain all evidence and documentation and speak with an employment law attorney as soon as possible.
You do have resources available to help you, but time to pursue a claim is limited, so do not delay in getting the help that you need to advance with a claim against your employer.
- Seek Medical Attention: Survivors of sexual assault need medical attention. Doctors and nurses can treat any physical traumas suffered. Medical professionals can provide a rape kit, which can collect evidence, while also ensuring that the victim has access to the services needed to address the psychological and emotional trauma that occurs as part of the sexual assault. The exam notes and details provided by the medical caregivers can be helpful to your claim against your employer and can play a role in your claim’s success and you recovering compensation for your damages. If a sexual assault took place at work, your employer may have been negligent and if that is the case, they can be held responsible for their role in the incident and the damages that you suffered because of their breach of responsibility.
- Report The Incident: Regardless of where it occurs, sexual assault is a criminal offense. Survivors of workplace sexual assault should report the incident to local authorities immediately so a report can be completed, and charges can be filed against the perpetrator. You should report the assault to your employer as well. File an incident report at work with your supervisor or with human resources (HR). This is imperative to the success of your claim and to ensure that the perpetrator is punished for the crime.
- Document The Incident: You should try to keep track of everything that happened although it is a stressful and upsetting time. You should write down what happened, where it happened, who was involved, as well as your feelings about the matter, how you responded, and how the actions affect your ability to work and perform your job. If there were witnesses, make note of them because they will be needed to give supporting statements later. You need to maintain all the evidence and documentation that you can gather to show what happened, who is responsible, and that you were a victim.
Get Help Today
If you have suffered sexual assault in the workplace, you are a victim of a horrible crime. You should seek medical treatment first and foremost, then seek mental health care and support for the trauma that you suffered because of the incident. The trauma can impact you for years to come.
Do not hesitate in seeking professional help so you can recover and come to terms with the incident. Your employer was most likely negligent, and if they had been more proactive, then the assault may not have occurred.
There could be a pattern of this kind of behavior in the workplace, and if you do not act, others could fall victim to the same kind of mistreatment.
You should seek the counsel of an employment law attorney. While an employment law attorney may not be able to help you if you choose to file criminal charges against the person who do it, they can help you file a claim against your employer for their negligence playing a role in the situation.
You do have a limited time for pursuing a claim against your employer after you suffered a sexual assault in the workplace, so time is of the essence. An attorney will also know what damages you can claim because of the sexual assault in the workplace.
When you meet with an employment law attorney, be sure to discuss their payment plans. While some lawyers require a retainer to be paid in advance, there are attorneys who will take such cases on a contingency basis.
If they represent you on a contingency basis, they will not be paid until you win your claim and you recover compensation for your damages.
Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page today to share the details of your sexual assault in the workplace and to learn about how to file a sexual assault claim against your employer.
