Sexual harassment study shows adults cautious to come forward

We focus a lot on how to help victims of sexual abuse cope with their trauma and encourage them to come forward, but it can be hard to know exactly what goes on in a victim's mind when they're afraid to come forward. It is always horrible when a child in Pennsylvania or anywhere is sexually abused and must deal with all of the confusing and scary emotions that come with, but in asking them to talk about it, what other feelings are we conjuring?

A recent study that was researched by a professor from the University Notre Dame and several other researchers sought to find out the rates and motivations behind an adult victim's openness when they had been sexually harassed. The results were not as accurate as many adults had predicted.

This study followed employees who had been subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace. The term "passive victims" is used to describe those who were harassed and didn't say anything about it. When other employees were asked how they would respond to the untoward behavior they claimed that their responses would be to stand up to it, and some even criticized those who hadn't. Another response from this research found that when they asked employees about a different kind of situation, one where they could have stood up for themselves but hadn't, the responses shown continued to demonstrate that the way we think we would act isn't always the case.

While harassment isn't the same thing as sexual abuse, it is important to remember that victims of abuse come in all ages and types and we can't forget about how isolating these abusive acts can be. For Pennsylvanians who are coping with or know someone who is coping with the aftermath of having been sexually abused, working with an attorney could help you get coverage for medical bills, pain and suffering and counseling as you begin to heal from the trauma.

Source: Business News, "Why Unreported Sexual Harassment Can Bring Ridicule," Chad Brooks, Nov. 6, 2012

· Our law firm handles sexual abuse cases and works to care for victims of such abuse in many ways. To learn more, please visit our Sexual Abuse page on our Caroselli Beachler McTiernan & Conboy website.