Delaware Sexual Abuse Lawyer
You deserve to be believed. A Delaware attorney who represents survivors will listen privately, explain your options, and move at a pace that feels safe to you.
Your local attorneyAman Sharma, Esq.
Justice in Delaware
You can pursue accountability in Delaware, and you do not have to do it alone
If you were sexually abused in Delaware, you may have the right to bring a civil claim against the person who harmed you and, in many cases, against an institution that enabled or ignored the abuse. A civil case is separate from any criminal case. It is your case, brought on your terms, and its purpose is accountability and recovery, not punishment alone.
Delaware has been one of the more survivor-protective states in the country when it comes to childhood sexual abuse, and that gives many people options they did not know they still had. The first step is simply a private conversation, where you decide how much to share and what happens next. Nothing moves forward without your say-so.
Time limits do apply, and they vary by state. Many states have recently expanded or reopened the window to file. A free, confidential call simply tells you where you stand — no pressure, no obligation.
Your local attorney
Aman K. Sharma, Esq.
The Sharma Law Firm, LLC
- 1007 N. Orange Street, 4th Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801
- Admitted: Delaware (state and federal courts); Pennsylvania; New Jersey (state and federal courts)
- The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law (J.D.); University of Michigan (B.A., with Honors)
Aman K. Sharma is a Delaware survivor-side attorney with roughly 15 years of legal experience and offices serving clients statewide from Wilmington to Dover, Milford, Seaford, and Lewes. Before representing survivors, he served as a criminal prosecutor and handled hundreds of criminal cases, giving him a working understanding of how perpetrators operate and how evidence is built and tested.
He is licensed in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, including federal courts, and maintains a dedicated practice for survivors of child sexual abuse, boarding school abuse, and institutional abuse across Delaware. As the designated Delaware Abuse Guardian, his focus is helping survivors pursue civil accountability with privacy and dignity.
Handles: Child sexual abuse, Institutional and boarding school abuse, Sexual assault and misconduct, Clergy and youth-organization abuse
Why survivors trust us
Real attorneys. Proven results. Quiet strength.
Delaware deadlines
Delaware statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims
For childhood sexual abuse, Delaware is unusually open. Under the Delaware Child Victims Act, the state eliminated the civil statute of limitations for claims arising from the sexual abuse of a minor against the person who committed the abuse, so there is often no deadline at all to sue an abuser for what was done to you as a child. That is the calm fact: for many survivors, time is not the barrier they feared.
- Childhood sexual abuse, against the abuser: Delaware has removed the civil time limit, so these claims can generally be brought regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred.
- Claims against institutions or employers: rules differ for organizations that were not the direct abuser, and Delaware has applied specific standards (such as a heightened negligence standard) to certain older claims. Whether and how an institution can be held responsible depends on the facts.
- Adult survivors: claims based on abuse experienced as an adult are governed by Delaware's general civil deadlines, which are shorter, so it is worth checking your timeline promptly.
- Look-back history: Delaware opened an early window for previously expired childhood claims; the current strength of the law is the elimination of the deadline going forward for child-abuse claims against the abuser.
Because exact rules depend on your age at the time, who is responsible, and when events happened, the only way to know your real deadline is to have someone review the specifics with you. This is general information, not legal advice; deadlines depend on the facts of each case.
What we handle
Delaware cases we help with
Every situation is different. These are some of the most common types of civil claims survivors bring in Delaware.
Child sexual abuse
Civil claims for abuse experienced as a minor, including abuse that happened many years ago.
Institutional & clergy abuse
Cases against churches, religious organizations, and youth groups that enabled or concealed abuse.
School & boarding school abuse
Abuse by teachers, coaches, staff, or fellow students at Delaware schools and residential programs.
Facility & organizational abuse
Abuse in treatment centers, foster placements, camps, and other institutions responsible for your safety.
Simple & safe
How it works
Reach out privately
Call or fill out a short, confidential form. Tell us only what you’re comfortable sharing.
We listen & match you
We connect you with an attorney licensed in your state who handles your type of case.
You decide what’s next
Your free consultation is no-obligation. If you move forward, there’s no fee unless you win.
Delaware questions
Common questions from Delaware survivors
Can I still file a sexual abuse claim in Delaware if the abuse happened decades ago?
Often, yes. Delaware has eliminated the civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims against the person who committed the abuse, so many survivors can pursue a case regardless of how much time has passed. The best way to confirm your specific deadline is a short, private review of your situation.
Can I sue an institution in Delaware, not just the individual abuser?
Sometimes, yes. Schools, churches, camps, and other organizations can be held civilly responsible when their negligence allowed abuse to occur or continue. The rules for claims against institutions differ from claims against an individual, so an attorney will look at who knew what, and when, in your case.
Will I have to testify in court?
Most survivors never see a courtroom. Many civil cases resolve through negotiated settlements, and much of the process happens privately. If testimony ever becomes necessary, you will be prepared and supported, and you stay in control of decisions about how your case proceeds.
How much does a Delaware sexual abuse lawyer cost?
You typically pay nothing up front. These cases are handled on a contingency basis, meaning the attorney's fee comes only as a percentage of a recovery, and only if your case succeeds. The first conversation is free and confidential.
Will my case be kept confidential?
Your privacy is protected from the first call. Your initial conversation is confidential, and attorneys use measures throughout a case, including settlement terms that can keep your identity private, to protect survivors. You decide how much is shared and with whom.
Do I need to have reported the abuse to the police?
No. A criminal report is not required to bring a civil claim in Delaware. A civil case is separate from the criminal system and can move forward whether or not the abuse was ever reported, charged, or prosecuted.
What is the Delaware Child Victims Act?
It is the Delaware law that dramatically expanded survivors' rights, including removing the civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims against the abuser. It reflects Delaware's recognition that survivors often need many years before they are ready to come forward.
How long does a Delaware sexual abuse case take?
It depends on the facts, the number of parties, and whether the case settles or is litigated. Some resolve in months, others take longer. Your attorney will give you a realistic timeline for your situation and keep you informed at every stage.
Free & confidential
Talk to a Delaware sexual abuse lawyer
Your message goes privately to our Delaware intake team. There is no cost and no obligation, and you control what happens next.
- 100% confidential — your privacy is protected
- No fee unless we win your case
- You stay in control of every step
Prefer to talk now? (877) 421-9608
Start your free case review
It only takes a minute. Share what you’re comfortable with.
You don’t have to carry this alone.
Take the first step on your terms. A free, confidential conversation could be the start of getting the justice and support you deserve.