How to Know a Sex Crime Victim's Legal Rights

Sex crimes are defined as rape, attempted rape or sexual assault and incest. Although a sex crime victim's rights to privacy and prosecution are guaranteed in the US, sometimes the onus is on the victim to find out how to pursue legal recourse. Fortunately, there are many victim's advocacy agencies with dedicated counselors to help victims of sex crimes know their legal rights. Here's how to find information.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. You are entitled to complete privacy and confidentiality. Questions from medical staff and law enforcement may feel invasive, but it's important to answer them as well as you can to help increase the likelihood of the capture and prosecution of your assailant.

2. Maintain contact with your rape crisis counselor or advocate. She will ensure that you don't miss any steps in the process of pursuing your legal rights.

3. A sex crime victim's legal rights include receiving free legal representation. This means that you do not have to seek out an attorney yourself, nor will you need to pay for anything in the pursuit of justice.

4. Use your local rape crisis center or the national rape advocacy center known as RAINN (see Resources below). They can help you find out how to proceed and inform you of your legal rights.

Tips & Warnings

• Chances for the capture of your assailant are greatly enhanced with physical evidence. As much as you will want to shower and wash yourself after a sex crime, wait until the doctors complete a full medical exam.
• According to U.S. Department of Justice, of those 40 percent or so rapes that are reported, only 16 percent will result in prosecution. Your chances are greatly increased if you follow the steps outlined by your rape crisis counselor.
• Accused sex crime offenders have many legal rights as well. Do not be deterred--know that you're doing what's right by pursuing legal channels in a sex crime.

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