Victims’ Rights Lawyers

Sex abuse is a deplorable act with devastating and potentially life-altering consequences for the victim. If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual abuse or violence, notify the authorities and get to safety immediately.

In the aftermath of this violation, many survivors suffer extreme emotional or psychological distress. The impact of the incident can last years or even decades. Fortunately, help is available.

What Is Sexual Abuse?

Sexual abuse refers to unwanted sexual activity by using threats or force. The victim cannot or isn’t able to give consent during the incident.

Physical injuries don’t have to occur to consider the act as sex abuse. Many times, the abuser is a trusted medical provider, family member, or public figure.

The most common types of sexual abuse include:

• Manipulating or forcing the victim to perform painful or degrading sexual acts
• Sharing pornographic materials
• Fondling or unwanted touching
• Attempted or actual oral, anal, or vaginal penetration with a body part or object
• Taking sexual videos or pictures without consent
• Inappropriate interactions through phone calls, emails, texts, or other forms of communication

Long-Term Effects of Sexual Abuse

According to statistics, more than one in three women, and more than one in four men, have experienced sexual violence. The consequences of sexual abuse can be severe and damaging to a person’s future. The most common effects of sexual abuse include:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Flashbacks
• Dissociation
• Depression
• Self-harm
• Panic attacks
• Substance abuse
• Sleep disorders
• Eating disorders
• Suicide

Many people suffer in silence and never seek help for what happened. The impact of childhood sex abuse can follow a person well into adulthood. It’s vital to speak up about the incident so the perpetrator faces the consequences of their actions.

Sexual Abuse Cases We Handle

Hach Rose Schirripa & Cheverie LLP helps victims of sexual abuse and assault hold their attackers accountable for the suffering and trauma they’ve caused. We handle a variety of cases, including the situations listed below.

Bullying, Harassment, and Discrimination

Whether it be in school, online, or under other social circumstances, bullying is a persistent problem among kids of all ages. When bullying, harassment, and discrimination get out of hand, parents can hold the school, social organization, or social media company accountable for failing to stop it.

Camp Sexual Abuse

When a child is sent to a summer camp, as a camper or as a counselor, there is always an expectation that they will be safe for the duration of the experience. Sadly, some children are failed and experience sexual abuse, tarnishing their experience forever. If you or your child endured sexual abuse at a summer camp, our compassionate attorneys can help you hold the perpetrators accountable.

Childcare Sexual Abuse

As a parent, placing your child in a daycare or preschool comes with placing an immense amount of trust in the facility you’ve chosen. When that trust is shattered because the childcare provider failed to protect your child, you have every right to hold it accountable for your child’s suffering. Our lawyers know how to bring your case while making sure to handle it delicately.

Childhood Sexual Abuse

Laws in recent years have extended the statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse. Many young victims of abuse were too young to fully comprehend what was happening to them, or too powerless to do anything about it. Now, as adults, they have an option to hold their childhood abusers accountable for the damage they have caused.

College Campus Sexual Abuse

College campus sexual abuse and assault are a constant issue at schools across the nation. If you were the victim of sexual assault or abuse on a college campus, you should understand that you are not alone. Speaking up can help you hold the responsible person accountable. Our attorneys can fight for you.

Foster Care Abuse

Children in the foster care system have endured a lot in their lives. Abuse from, or enabled by, the people who are supposed to be caring for them is inexcusable. If you were abused in the foster care system or are aware of abuse occurring in it, contact our attorneys to share your story. We understand how to handle these cases discreetly and with compassion.

Jeffrey Epstein Fund/Jeffrey Epstein CVA

Many of alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein’s victims still await justice, even after his suicide in 2019. He was accused of sex trafficking hundreds of young women and girls, who may be entitled to a portion of his $500 million estate. If you were a victim of Jeffrey Epstein and his operation, our firm can help you seek compensation for the challenges you have lived through.

Medical Provider Sexual Abuse

Medical providers have a duty to treat their patients with dignity. When they breach their obligations, it often is a result of mistakes they make. However, when they make a decision to abuse a patient, that is never a mistake. It is a malicious abuse of their position that should never go unpunished. If you were sexually abused by a medical provider, our attorneys want to hear your story. We are prepared to help you hold your attacker accountable for what they’ve done.

Religious Institution Sexual Abuse

The individuals who attend and lead religious institutions should hold themselves to the morality that they teach and claim to believe. Tragically, some predators cloak themselves in religion, using faith as a way to seem trustworthy until they decide to strike. If you’ve been the victim of this deception, you are not alone. Even if the abuse occurred a long time ago, you are still able to come forward and report what happened. You may be able to get compensation for the betrayal you and your family endured. Our attorneys have helped many people through this difficult situation.

Rideshare Sexual Abuse

Taking an Uber or Lyft should be a simple, seamless experience. Rideshare companies have an interest and obligation in ensuring that their drivers operate safely and don’t deviate from their tasks. Unsurprisingly, some drivers decide to take advantage of the power being in control of a moving vehicle gives them over their passengers. If you were abused or assaulted by a rideshare driver or another passenger, our attorneys can help you through the process of holding them accountable. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation to share your story and begin the process.

School Sexual Abuse

Schools have numerous systems in place to protect children from sexual abuse. Despite these efforts, innocent children are victimized by predators who make the decision to harm them. These people should be held accountable for the pain and mental anguish that they cause.

Sexual Exploitation by Therapists and Other Professionals

Therapists work with people at their most vulnerable, and are therefore placed in a position of trust. When they violate that trust, it can be a confusing and traumatizing experience. On top of that, people are often encourage to keep what happens during sessions private, giving room for the abuse to continue. If you or a loved one were exploited by a therapists or other professional, you have a right to hold that person accountable. An ethical breach of this magnitude must be brought to light, and doing so can help protect others from suffering the same exploitation.

Sex Trafficking

At Hach Rose Schirripa & Cheverie LLP we are committed to helping the victims of sex trafficking regain their lives and holding traffickers accountable for their heinous crimes. If you are a survivor of sex trafficking, our attorneys can provide you with the legal representation you will need to make sure your abusers are brought to justice. Your privacy is important to use. Reach out for a confidential consultation with one of our compassionate lawyers to learn more about how we can help.

Sex Trafficking and Grooming in the Entertainment Industry

It is a open secret that many powerful individuals in the entertainment industry mistreat and exploit the people whose careers rely on them. It is shockingly common for children who are working in the industry to be groomed and forced to perform sexual acts, or for famous and powerful people to take advantage of their status to exploit fans or employees. If you were a victim of a producer, musician, actor, or other entertainer, please speak out. Your bravery can help prevent others from suffering as you have. We can help you report your abuse while maintaining your privacy.

Youth Organizations & Sports Sexual Abuse

Coaches are supposed to inspire kids to do their best. The kids, in turn, look up to their coaches. This is a strong relationship that can be enriching for everyone involved. This kind of situation extends to scout leaders and other youth organizations as well. Sometimes, these adults become too familiar and decide to exploit this relationship is a way that goes beyond what is appropriate. When this happens, what was once a benefit for a child becomes a source of lifelong trauma. If you have been in a situation like this, you deserve justice. It will not be given to you easily, but our experienced lawyers can help you fight for it, like we do for so many others.

Compensation Available for Sex Abuse Survivors

If someone abused you as an adult or child, you could pursue legal action against them. Not only does sexual abuse have criminal consequences for the perpetrator, but it can also have civil repercussions as well. The compensation you receive could compensate for various losses resulting from the incident, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical expenses
• Psychological therapies
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Punitive damages meant to punish those who commit especially heinous crimes

It’s critical to understand state laws and follow the necessary steps to sue your abuser. Contact a knowledgeable lawyer to learn about the timeline for filing a civil lawsuit against another person.

Legislation for Child Sex Abuse Statutes of Limitations

States throughout the country have passed laws to extend or eliminate the statute of limitations on sexual abuse. That means you might be able to file a lawsuit or press criminal charges even if the statute has already expired.

Currently, 27 states and U.S. territories provide a window for survivors to pursue legal action for expired civil claims. Most child sex abuse claims don’t come with a civil statute of limitations in 17 states and territories. Additionally, 49 states and territories eliminated the criminal statute of limitations for some or all childhood sexual abuse crimes.

Contact Us

Hach Rose Schirripa & Cheverie LLP has over 100 years of combined legal experience defending individuals harmed by the wrongdoings of others. Our victim’s rights attorneys believe in standing up for sexual abuse survivors and their families. You can count on us to advocate for your rights and aggressively seek the maximum compensation you deserve. We understand the delicate and painful nature of this topic, so you can expect support and compassion when you hire us to help you or a loved one.
Reach out to us at 212-213-8311 for your free consultation if you or your child suffered sexual abuse.