Washington, DC Sexual Assault Lawyer

Is Sexual Abuse Different from Sexual Assault?

The terms sexual abuse and sexual assault are mostly interchangeable, but there are differences between the two terms.

Sexual assault typically describes a single act committed toward an adult and includes any type of sexual contact that was not invited or wanted by the victim. Although many people think of rape when they hear the words sexual assault, the term can also describe other actions, such as unwanted touching or fondling.

Sexual abuse, on the other hand, is often connected with any sexual behavior committed towards children. In Washington, DC, the age of consent is 16 years old. If someone over the age of consent forces a child (someone under 16 years of age) to perform sexual acts, the sex crime is categorized as child sexual abuse. Sexual abuse of children includes exposing oneself to a minor, sexual intercourse, fondling, obscene messages, child pornography, and sex trafficking.

If you are a parent of a child who has been sexually abused, reach out to our sexual abuse attorneys immediately. The lawyers will be able to guide you through the steps to ensure the safety of your child and to seek legal action for the physical injuries and the emotional trauma they suffered.

How Does Washington, DC Law Categorize Sexual Assaults?

Washington, DC code classifies four degrees of sexual offenses. The first and second degrees address a sexual act, such as penetration. The third and fourth degrees address sexual contact, like inappropriate touching.

First-Degree Sexual Abuse: When an offender engages in or causes the victim to engage in a sexual act by the following means:

• Using force against the victim.
• Threatening or placing the victim in reasonable fear that they will be subjected to death, bodily injury, or kidnapping if they refuse.
• Rendering the victim unconscious.
• Administering, by force or without knowledge or permission, a drug, intoxicant, or other substance that makes the victim incapable of controlling his or her conduct.

Second-Degree Sexual Abuse: When an offender engages in or causes the victim to engage in a sexual act by the following means:

• Threatening or placing the victim in fear if they refuse to participate in the sexual act.
• Engaging in a sexual act with the victim when:
• The victim can’t assess the situation and the offender’s conduct.
• The victim is incapable of declining to participate in the sexual act.
• The victim is incapable of communicating unwillingness to participate in the sexual act.

Third-Degree Sexual Abuse: When an offender engages in or causes the victim to engage in a sexual act by the following means:

• Using force against the victim.
• Threatening or making the victim fear that they are subjected to death, bodily injury, or kidnapping if they do not participate in the sexual act.
• Rendering the victim unconscious.
• Administering, by force or without knowledge or permission, a drug, intoxicant, or other substance that makes the victim incapable of controlling his or her conduct.

Fourth-Degree Sexual Abuse: When an offender engages in or causes the victim to engage in a sexual act by the following means:

• Threatening or placing the victim in fear if they refuse to participate in the sexual act.
• Engaging in a sexual act with the victim when:
• The victim can’t assess the situation and the offender’s conduct.
• The victim is incapable of declining to participate in the sexual act.
• The victim is incapable of communicating unwillingness to participate in the sexual act.

What Injuries Can a Sexual Assault Victim Sustain?

There are different types of injuries a sexual assault victim can suffer, both physical and psychological. While physical injuries may heal in time, psychological injuries from sexual assault can last a lifetime. The Washington, DC, metropolitan police report that sexual violence costs $127 billion annually.

Physical injuries and medical consequences sexual assault survivors can sustain are:

• Scratches
• Bruising
• Welts
• Fractures
• Head and facial trauma
• Lacerations
• Bullet wounds
• Vulva/vaginal injuries
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Sexual dysfunction
• Infections
• Pregnancy

What If I Don’t Have Any Physical Injuries?

Not all sexual assault crimes result in a physical injury. You may be suffering from the psychological consequences of the sexual act, such as:

• Rape-trauma Syndrome: This syndrome has two phases. The first phase, disorganization, can last for days or weeks following the assault. Sexual abuse victims often have generalized pain throughout their body, sleep disturbances, and appetite disturbances. They can experience a range of emotional reactions like fear, anger, humiliation, anxiety, self-blame, and guilt. The second phase, called the delayed or organization phase, occurs next. Flashbacks and nightmares mark this phase. The sexual assault victim may develop phobias and gynecological symptoms that last for weeks to months after the assault.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD occurs when the sexual abuse victim re-experiences the trauma in their mind. It can lead to avoidance or being in a state of hyperarousal. PTSD may not be visible for months after the experience, but it can have long-term consequences and greatly diminish the victim’s quality of life.
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse: According to a study by the National Violence Against Women Prevention Research Center, sexual abuse survivors are 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol and 26 times more likely to abuse drugs than those who have not experienced abuse.

Where Can I Go to Report Sexual Abuse?

Washington, DC, provides many places for sexual assault victims to report sexual violence and resources to help heal after the assault.

• Metropolitan Police Department
  (202) 727-3700
  (202) 576-6768: Investigates cases involving minors
• RAINN.ORG
  1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center
  (717) 909-0710
• DC Rape Crisis Center
• DC Child and Family Services Agency
• Network for Victim Recovery of DC
  1-844-443-5732

Who is Likely to Commit Sexual Assault?

Believe it or not, the majority of sexual abuse victims know their attacker before the assault.

7 in 10 adult rape and sexual assault victims know their attacker, while 90% of children also know their abuser. This is one of the reasons why victims often do not report the abuse to law enforcement. Many fear retaliation, while others do not want the attacker to be in trouble with the law. The most important thing for a sexual assault survivor to understand is that the assault was not your fault. Holding the offender responsible for what they did to you is justice, and it is indeed what you deserve.

What Should I Do If I Was Sexually Assaulted While Riding a Rideshare Service?

Unfortunately, sexual assault while using rideshare services is becoming too common in the DC Metro area. The rider has little control when entering the Uber or Lyft driver’s vehicle. If you or your loved one was sexually assaulted in an Uber or Lyft ride, contact our Uber sexual assault attorney immediately to help guide you through the claims process. Ridesharing companies are large, and it can be intimidating to try to take them on. Our sexual assault attorneys will help you navigate the process and fight fiercely for your rights.

If the Sexual Assault Happened on a College Campus, Can Regan Zambri Long Take My Case?

Yes. In the United States, 26.4% of undergraduate females and 6.8% of undergraduate males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, and incapacitation. There are about 86,000 students in DC. The universities and colleges combat sexual misconduct on campus through multiple programs, classes, and staffing. However, even with strict measures in place, they cannot stop all sexual violence from occurring. If you are a student, faculty, or staff member on a college campus in DC and have been a victim of sexual assault, call the sexual assault lawyers at Regan Zambri Long PLLC today.