Assault is when someone threatens and also attacks another person, inflicting physical wounds to the latter. This particular type of felony is also known as assault and battery and, obviously, affects the victim in multiple ways – not just physically.
Just as with sexual assault victims, people who were the subject of assault and battery may think that nothing can protect them from people with evil intentions. However, that’s not entirely true.
As such, in today’s article, we’ll point out some of the ways through which one can cope with assault and, most importantly, keep their mental health in order!
Contacting the Authorities
If you’ve been the victim of assault, the first thing you should do is contact the authorities, as well as get in touch with an assault and battery lawyer.
The authorities will help you instate a restraining order, if applicable, and may even provide you with protection until the matter is settled. At the same time, a lawyer will tell you everything you need to know about taking this matter to court and ensuring your safety.
Understand that You’re Not to Blame
Many assault victims end up believing that they deserved it and that they’re partly to blame for being assaulted. For example, women who went to the club in a mildly provocative outfit and got assaulted may end up thinking that they are the only ones to blame for it.
That’s not the case! The only person that can be found guilty is the aggressor and not the victim!
Share Your Experience
Another bad thing that people do is that they keep such things from themselves and don’t share them with trustworthy people. As a result, this secrecy causes outbursts of stress, anxiety, and even depression.
This is why all kinds of victims should seek counsel – even if it implies simply telling their story to a good listener!
Set Up a Protection Plan
As mentioned above, most victims of assault believe that, since someone was able to assault them, they’ll never be fully protected in the future. To prevent further assault, they may even stop leaving their home or change their habits and usual schedule.
Obviously, this is not the proper way to deal with assault!
Instead, victims should seek help and come up with a proper protection plan meant to help them fully deter any attempts of assault and battery. For example, one may take self-defense lessons or even apply for a gun permit.
In short, a victim should do everything in their power to return to society after being assaulted.
The Bottom Line
Like any other form of assault or abuse, assault and battery can seriously affect the life and mental health of the victim, up to the point where they become afraid of any person that’s simply walking behind them.
In such cases, it is extremely important for the victim to realize that they need help and that they also need to make themselves feel safe again. This can be done via therapy sessions, counsel with lawyers, and – as mentioned – self-defense lessons meant to empower both the body and the mind!
