How to Find Sex Crime Victim Legal Resources

Legal resources for victims of sex crimes are covered by tax dollars so that victims may pursue prosecution without paying exorbitant legal fees. Here's how to find those resources.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. First, protect yourself. Once you have undergone a full forensic medical exam, report the sex crime to the police. Then you can focus on obtaining legal resources.
2. Write down everything you remember regarding your attacker and the crime. It's imperative that the police find your attacker so that prosecution can proceed.
3. Contact RAINN, NOVA, or your local rape crisis center to learn your legal rights and discover what resources are available to you (see Resources below).
4. A rape crisis center will provide help as you proceed with prosecution. A victim's rights advocate will usually be assigned to you so that you don't have to face a line-up alone during the identification process. Lean on your crisis counselor or other advocate during legal proceedings.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that in order to successfully prosecute this crime, the prosecutor must prove that the alleged attacker committed an offense against you. Counselors at rape crisis center are trained to assist victims with this aspect of sex crime. Ask them for advice.

Who Can Help: