There are a lot of misconceptions about those who sexually assault others. When people think of rape, they often imagine the perpetrator as some stranger who attacks a woman as she is walking home in the dark, but that is more the exception than the norm, though that does happen on occasion.
According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, about 63% of sexual assaults are never reported to the police. And, many of the people who commit a sexually-motivated crime are never caught.
Common Misconceptions About Sexual Abusers
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center says there are common misconceptions and stereotypes about the type of people who commit sexual offenses. Here’s what you need to know about those who sexually abuse:
- Not all sex offenders are the same.
- Some sex offenders are more likely to re-offend than others.
- A sex offender can be a pillar of the community.
- Not all sex offenders are male; they can be female too.
- Some sex offenders are married and in stable relationships.
- Some sex offenders are employed and don’t have a criminal history.
- Contrary to popular belief, the majority of sexually violent acts are committed by someone who knows the victim, such as a relative, a classmate, an intimate partner, a coworker, or an acquaintance.
According to rainn.org, 8 out of 10 rapes are not stranger rapes but are committed by someone who the victim knows. Of rapes, 39% are committed by an acquaintance, 33% are committed by a current or former intimate partner, and 19.5% are committed by a stranger. As far as a child (and teen) sexual assault victims are concerned, the majority of the victims knew the person who sexually assaulted them.
Personal Injury Claims for Sexual Assault
Many sexual assault victims do not know it, but it is possible to file a personal injury claim as a result of a sexually-motivated crime. Such claims can be filed if there is a criminal case pending and even if the perpetrator has not been caught by the police. These types of claims are often filed when someone is raped at a motel or hotel, at a place of employment, at a business, a college campus, a private residence, and so on.
If you or someone you love has been a victim of sexual assault, we invite you to contact The Zendeh Del Law Firm, PLLC to explore your legal options, which may include filing a claim for compensation.