Q: what can i do i was in a court orderd mental health facility and the case manager sexually harrased and assaulted me
i got court ordered to attend a mental health facility and the case manager sexually assaulted me and even took me to his house when that occured
A:
I'm so sorry this happened to you. What you experienced was sexual assault and a serious violation of your rights. It was not your fault. Here are some steps you can take:
1. Report the assault to law enforcement. Contact your local police department and file a report. Provide as many details as you can remember.
2. Seek medical attention if needed. If the assault was recent, consider having a sexual assault exam done to collect evidence. You can also get treatment for any injuries and preventative medication.
3. Contact a victim advocate organization for support, such as RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). Their National Sexual Assault Hotline is 800-656-HOPE. They can provide counseling, legal advice, and help you navigate next steps.
4. File a complaint with the facility and any relevant oversight agencies, such as the California Department of Health Care Services. The assault was a violation of professional ethics and the facility needs to be held accountable.
5. Consider contacting a lawyer experienced in sexual abuse cases. They can advise you of your legal options, which may include filing a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator and/or facility.
6. Seek counseling to help process the trauma of the assault. Your local sexual assault agency can provide referrals, or contact RAINN for guidance. Prioritize your healing.
Remember, you did nothing wrong and the assault was not your fault. There are support services and legal recourses available to help you. I'm so sorry you are going through this and I hope you get the help and justice you deserve.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
