When pursuing legal action, sexual assault survivors commonly face enormous emotional hurdles. Sadly, the legal process itself can be retraumatizing and intimidating if not handled sensitively. At Hollingsworth Law Firm, our Alexandria sexual abuse lawyers handle sexual abuse cases with a trauma-informed approach, compassion, and extensive experience. Working with a trauma-informed attorney can make a huge difference in both case results and the overall legal experience for sexual abuse survivors.
Understanding the Trauma-Informed Approach
The legal field is an excellent example of an industry where trauma-informed approaches are essential but woefully underutilized. When people talk about trauma-informed practices, they are referring to a set of behaviors, procedures, and policies that reduce the risk of retraumatizing victims and help lawyers understand how extensive the trauma caused by sexual assault cases can be.
This includes an awareness of:
- How trauma affects the memory
- How anxiety and triggered behavior caused by trauma manifest
- Behaviors that often arise from trauma
- Realizing that everyone copes differently and that no way is inherently right or wrong
It is important to understand that trauma services and trauma-informed representation are not the same thing. Any entity, company, or agency can choose to adopt a trauma-informed approach in its business practices. However, helping a survivor process their feelings and deal with their trauma should be left to a professional who is trained to do so.
A “trauma-informed approach” also involves understanding the profound effects that trauma and abuse have on a survivor’s psychological and emotional well-being. Attorneys need to proceed with patience, sensitivity, compassion, and respect for their clients’ needs and boundaries throughout the legal process.
Where sexual abuse cases are concerned, trauma-informed representation includes:
- Supporting survivors in making informed decisions about their cases
- Creating a supportive and safe setting for open communication
- Preventing unnecessary exposure to re-traumatization during litigation and questioning
- Letting survivors decide what to share and when to share it
Our Alexandria sexual abuse lawyers know how to listen without passing judgment and fight hard for survivors while protecting them from further emotional trauma.
The Role of a Trauma-Informed Lawyer in Virginia Sexual Abuse Cases
Trauma-informed lawyers do more than provide emotional support; they also make the legal process stronger and more effective. When survivors feel respected and safe are better prepared to remain engaged during legal proceedings, provide vital details, and actively participate in their cases.
A trauma-informed lawyer will also be able to collaborate with expert witnesses, such as medical professionals and psychiatrists, who can testify about the physical and emotional impacts of sexual abuse. This partnership helps create a compelling, well-documented case that proves the victim’s claims using professional, credible evidence.
Why Experience is Important in Virginia Sexual Abuse Cases
Very few law firms have the experience or the training needed to understand how to handle sexual abuse cases with the care they demand. Our law firm has decades of experience successfully representing sexual assault survivors against powerful organizations, institutions, and individuals. We also have extensive knowledge of Virginia’s sexual abuse laws and understand the complexities of civil litigation as well as the unique challenges faced by survivors. Our trauma-informed approach to these cases reflects our dedication to helping survivors find the voice they need to pursue justice.
Talk to an Alexandria Sexual Abuse Lawyer from Hollingsworth Law
For survivors thinking about taking legal action after a sexual assault, make sure you work with a law firm that values your mental health as much as it values the results of your case. To schedule a confidential, empathetic consultation with a trauma-informed lawyer from Hollingsworth Law, call (703) 401-9970 or fill out the contact form on our website.