Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

What Counts as Sexual Abuse or Assault?

Sexual abuse doesn’t always look like it does on TV. Sometimes, it’s a trusted doctor crossing a line. A coach who groomed you. A coworker who used their position to intimidate or manipulate.

No matter what it looked like, if you were touched or taken advantage of without your full, informed consent, your voice matters. Filing a lawsuit for sexual abuse can help you get justice.

Sexual abuse or assault may take the form of: 

• Abuse by someone in power
• Child sexual abuse
• Kidnapping
• Medical sexual abuse by doctors, therapists, or caregivers
• Rape or attempted rape
• Sex trafficking
• Sexual assault or molestation
• Unwanted physical contact

Sadly, sexual abuse can occur in any number of places. Individual perpetrators often commit assaults in spaces where they feel as though they have power and security.

Even if what you experienced happened decades ago, you may still be able to file a civil lawsuit and pursue compensation now.

Types of Sexual Abuse (SA) Cases

Individual perpetrators often commit assaults in spaces where they feel as though they have power and security.

If an institution or organization fails to protect its community members from an abuser, the institution may also be legally responsible for any abuse that took place.

Examples of SA Cases

• Abuse at Spas or Resorts: Massage therapists may take advantage of a customer during a session, and their employers might try to dismiss the allegations or attempt to cover up the abuse.
• Abuse in Boarding Schools, Public Schools, and Sports: Administrators may fail to properly screen new staff before hiring them — or may protect coaches, teachers, and other faculty after abuse is reported.
• Abuse on Cruise Ships and Airlines: During a flight, assaults can happen when a passenger is sleeping next to a stranger; while on cruise ships, unsupervised children are particularly at risk. There may not be access to law enforcement or staff members equipped to handle the situation.
• Boy Scouts Abuse: Over 80,000 sexual assault lawsuits have been filed against the Boy Scouts of America by survivors who claim they were abused by scout leaders as children.
• Clergy Abuse: Sex abuse scandals in churches and other religious institutions can stem from a failure to punish known sexual predators — like priests or clergy members — in their organizations, ranging from the Catholic Church to Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• Exploitation on Social Media: Children and teens, especially those with a social media addiction, are at risk of being exploited by predators they meet through online games like Roblox as well as various apps.
• Foster Care Abuse: Foster homes are meant to provide children with a safe place to live, but many kids in foster care have experienced abuse by a foster parent or other resident in the home.
• High-Profile Abusers: Film companies, record labels, and other organizations may attempt to silence victims and protect known abusers like Harvey Weinstein, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, or Bill Cosby.
• Hotel or Motel Abuse: Abuse can occur when staff members use access cards to enter a guest’s room without permission or when the front desk issues room keys to unauthorized individuals.
• Medical Sexual Abuse: Some medical professionals and former doctors have been accused of performing unnecessary and invasive exams or procedures, taking advantage of a patient’s trust and their potentially limited knowledge of what constitutes legitimate medical treatment.
• Nursing Home Abuse: Beyond physical injury or neglect, nursing homes may also fail to protect seniors from sexual assaults by staff or other residents.
• Rideshare Vehicles: Sadly, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft may not provide thorough screening of their drivers, potentially putting passengers at risk of assault during rides.
• Police and Prison Abuse: Police officers and prison personnel may use their positions of authority to commit abuse. Inmates may be assaulted by both staff and other detainees but have a limited ability to report or escape the abuse.
• Sex Trafficking: Each year, thousands of people in the U.S. are forced to perform sexual acts against their will and are exploited by traffickers for money.
• Sexual Abuse in the Entertainment Industry: Powerful figures in the music, film, and TV industries may use their influence to coerce aspiring artists into sexual acts, often threatening to harm their careers if they resist or speak out.
• Summer Camp Abuse: At summer camps or wilderness therapy camps, children are often away from home and have limited contact with trusted adults. Camps may fail to properly vet staff members who often have unsupervised access to campers, increasing the risk of abuse.

If you or a loved one experienced abuse in any of these settings, you’re not alone — and you may have legal options. Speaking with an experienced attorney can help you understand your rights, hold those responsible for your pain accountable, and pursue the justice you deserve.

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Why File a Sexual Assault Lawsuit?

Filing a civil lawsuit won’t change the past. But it can help protect your future — and others’.

​​A civil sexual abuse lawsuit is a type of personal injury claim. In these cases, the victim seeks compensation from their abuser for the harm they’ve caused.

Legal action can help you:

• Hold an individual or institution publicly accountable
• Reclaim power that was taken from you
• Seek financial compensation for therapy, lost wages, and emotional harm
• Send a message that this kind of abuse won’t be buried or excused

You don’t have to be “strong enough.” You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to take the first step. We’ll help with the rest.

You don’t need to have reported it back then. You don’t need physical evidence. If something happened and you’ve been carrying it alone — you can tell us. We’ll make sure your story is heard.

Is It Too Late to Come Forward?

In many states, it’s not too late — even if the abuse happened years ago. New laws have extended the timeline for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil claims. Some states are opening temporary “lookback windows,” which allow survivors to take action even if the original statute of limitations has passed.

If you’re unsure about timing or eligibility, we can walk you through your options on your terms.

We See You. We Stand With You.

At VoicesThatMatter, we work with legal teams who treat you with care and respect from day one. No judgment. No pressure. Just a commitment to doing what’s right for you.

• Every conversation is handled with care and respect.
• There’s no cost to talk with us.
• You are always in control of what happens next.

Whether you want to ask a question, tell your story, or just breathe — we’re here for you 24/7.

Contact our team now. Because your voice matters.