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A National Alliance of Sexual Assault Lawyers

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Attorneys Representing Survivors Through Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Compensation will not change what happened to you. But the sense of justice that comes with it will help in your recovery process. This has been the experience of our network of sexual abuse lawyers all across the country.

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"Our alliance has over 15 sexual abuse lawyers nationwide dedicated to helping survivors get justice" 
- Brian Kent, Esq.

Supporting Survivors Of Sex Abuse Get Justice Through Civil Lawsuits

Whether it's rape, sexual assault, abuse, sex trafficking or molestation, our compassionate attorneys have the experience to understand what you are going through.  They know how to investigate and prosecute these cases.

When you are ready to take back control and get justice, we are here for you. For an evaluation of your case, please call us.

"Can I Sue For Sexual Assault?" What Is Sexual Abuse Under The Law?

It wasn't your fault.

Sexual abuse is a crime based in power. Many offenders gravitate towards occupations and positions of authority. Exploiting trust and respect, victimizers use vulnerability to commit their horrendous crimes. All too often, the criminal justice system focuses on punishing these reprehensible individuals, offering little support for assault survivors as they recover.

We Know The Impact Sex Assault Has On Victims

You are not alone.

Sexual assault is quite possibly the most traumatic experience anyone can live through. It's not uncommon to feel shame, guilt and fear in the wake of a terrible violation. All of these feelings are normal, but you must know that you did nothing to deserve this. We will work to ensure that the abuse or assault you suffered does not come to define your life.

A Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Can Help Survivors Get Justice

Restitution and compensation funds may suffice for immediate medical expenses and counseling, but many survivors must turn to civil lawsuits, and the assistance of experienced sexual assault lawyers, to secure lasting compensation and begin recovering from the deeper scars left by sexual abuse.

How Much Compensation Is My Sex Crime Lawsuit Worth?

Victims of sexual assault or sexual abuse are permitted to seek justice through both the criminal and the civil court systems. Criminal prosecution is key for punishing offenders and preventing them from harming other potential victims.

While convictions are an important part of the healing process, most victims will have to file a civil lawsuit in order to receive financial compensation for the physical and emotional pain they've suffered. Lawsuits may be filed against the perpetrator, and depending on circumstances, negligent third parties who allowed the assault to occur or covered it up after the fact.

In a civil trial, juries will usually sympathize with the victims of these heinous crimes and often award high amounts for financial  compensation. Sometimes, perpetrators and/or the institutions they represent may decide to settle out of court instead of taking the case to trial.

It's important to note from the outset that no one can predict the settlement or verdict value of a sexual assault before the fact. Each case depends on unique factors that must be thoroughly evaluated before worth can be estimated with any accuracy. Even then, value estimates are usually unreliable. Anyone who tells you they can estimate the value of your case during an initial consultation is lying.

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Institutions Can Be Held Liable For Sexual Assault

Examples of institutions which have been held liable for sexual crimes include:

Colleges & Universities Sex Assault Lawsuits

In recent years, many colleges and universities have faced lawsuits for either failing to prevent campus sexual assault or improperly handling reports of sexual assault. These lawsuits are usually based on a violation of Title IX, which is a federal law that protects students from sexual discrimination. Recent examples of lawsuits against institutions of higher education include:

  • Howard University - Five current and former students filed a federal lawsuit which claims that the school did not respond quickly or fairly to allegations of sexual assault. Two of the plaintiffs had reported two separate incidents of sexual assault by the same resident assistant, but the city's police department closed the case when the U.S. Attorney decided not to file charges. Two of these five plaintiffs also claim to have left the university for safety concerns.
  • Baylor University - In recent years, Baylor has faced several allegations of sexual assault. Most of these cases involve football players. Multiple victims have filed lawsuits which claim that the university failed to investigate their reports of sexual assault and that the school fostered a culture of sexual violence where football players faced no consequences for their actions.
  • Stanford University - In 2016, Stanford was sued for negligence for failing to properly address multiple complaints of sexual assault by the same alleged perpetrator. These assaults took place over a period of four years. The lawsuit claims that the university blamed the alleged victims for their own assaults. Stanford eventually found the man responsible for these claims of sexual assault, but still awarded him a bachelor's and a master's degree.
  • Pennsylvania State University - Victims of the child sexual abuse scandal at Penn State have filed lawsuits against the University. As of 2015, Penn State's total payouts for victims of sexual abuse has reached nearly $93 million.

Public & Private Schools Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

High schools, middle schools, and elementary schools may be held liable for a failure to protect their students from sexual abuse.

In December 2016, A Virginia elementary school student sued his school board and two of its employees for failing to protect him from sexual abuse by the school's janitor. The lawsuit claims that the school's two principals violated the alleged victim's Title IX rights by failing to independently investigate a complaint of sexual abuse. The victim is seeking $10 million in damages.

Religious Organization Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Multiple churches and religious organizations have been sued for failing to protect young church members from sexual assault and for attempting to cover up these crimes in order to preserve the church's public image.

The Catholic Church is the most prominent example of a religious organization facing liability for sexual abuse by clergy members. In the past 65 years, the U.S. Catholic church has paid out nearly $4 billion in settlements to victims of child sexual abuse.

In February 2017, a Pennsylvania woman reached a settlement with a Jehovah's Witness Church for abuse she suffered as a teenager. The lawsuit was filed against the alleged abuser, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Spring Grove Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. The suit claims that the church failed to follow Pennsylvania's mandatory child sex abuse reporting laws, even after her family had reported the abuse to church elders.

Business Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Business owners may be found liable for allowing sexual assault to occur on their properties. A lawsuit may be appropriate if the assault occurred as a result of negligence, such as inadequate security or improperly trained staff, or if the business inappropriately handled a claim of sexual abuse or assault.

In 2017, a Texas woman sued a Chipotle restaurant after an employee installed a hidden camera in the women's bathroom, which recorded the woman and her daughter changing. Upper management allegedly tried to cover up the evidence of these illegal recordings. The lawsuit seeks punitive damages for:

  • Privacy invasion
  • Negligence
  • Premises liability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Intentional infliction of emotional distress

Youth Programs (Sports Programs, Summer Camps & Boy Scouts) Abuse Lawsuits

Youth programs may also be held liable for failing to protect child participants from sexual abuse. The Boy Scouts of America have faced several lawsuits alleging that group leaders have sexually abused children under their watch. The amount paid in settlements is unknown because the Scouts keep reports sealed from the public.

In 2017, two former Boy Scouts sued the Boy Scouts of America and its Northeast Georgia Council after neither party did anything to stop their sexual abuse, despite being aware of the accusations against the abuser Two churches which were allegedly aware of allegations of sexual abuse but did nothing to stop it have also been named as defendants in the case.

Our Moral Duty: To Pursue Justice & Accountability

No crime is more heinous than childhood sexual abuse. Every victim is faced by a lengthy road back to normalcy, but the survivors of abuse during adolescence may be forced to deal with psychological trauma long into adulthood. Repression and post-traumatic stress disorder are common, and can make securing criminal justice difficult. We’ve made it our moral duty to support victims in any way we can, from start to finish.

Every day, we work to help survivors find the strength inside themselves to step forward and fight for justice. You can be a light for other survivors. It only takes one decision, one brave choice to regain your power.

Sexual Abuse Attorneys United In The Pursuit Of Justice

The vast majority of abusers know their victims. Many offenders are the intimate partners of the people they abuse. Family violence is real, rampant and unacceptable. Assault and abuse survivors, along with those still living through the horrors of abuse, often fear speaking out and remain trapped in unsafe situations. No one deserves to live like that.

We can help you step forward. Out of the darkness and into the light. Whether you want to pursue civil litigation or just need someone to talk to, we are always here for you.

Even after a criminal conviction, victims must live with the physical and emotional trauma of abuse. We can’t take back those days, months or years of fear and violence, but we can help you find the support and resources that you and your loved ones deserve.

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The content on this specific page is approved content by LPB Law Group, LLC d/b/a The Abuse Guardians, and Brian D. Kent, Esq. Abuse Guardian is an alliance of attorneys across the United States who dedicate their professional careers to representing survivors of sexual abuse and helping them get justice. This website is to be considered ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Past settlement and verdict values are no guarantee of similar future outcomes. Abuse Guardian is not a law firm. Abuse Guardian has a team of survivor advocates who can help connect sexual abuse survivors to members of the Abuse Guardian alliance for free legal consultations. By submitting a form on this page your information will be sent to LPB Law Group, LLC d/b/a The Abuse Guardians, and Brian D. Kent, Esq. and his staff for evaluation. By submitting a form, you give permission for LPB Law Group, LLC d/b/a The Abuse Guardians, and Brian D. Kent, Esq. and his law firm to communicate with you regarding your submission. Your information is strictly confidential and will not be sold to third parties. See our Terms of service for more information.

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