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When it comes to seeking justice for sexual assault involving a corporation, organization, or other entity (FYI: not just one individual unless he/she/they has very deep pockets), women can access the power of civil legal action to help take their power back after assault. We’re here to help.
What Sexual Assault Means.
It’s not always what you think. The most important thing to always, always, always remember is that IT IS NEVER YOUR FAULT. It does not matter where you were, what you were doing, what you were wearing – none of that matters. What happened was wrong. (Period, end of story.) And we’ll say it again: IT IS NEVER YOUR FAULT.
Sexual Assault can be as subtle as an off-color joke or as undeniable as something obviously egregious, but the gray area between can be murky.
What is Sexual Assault?
The main takeaway: trust your gut. If your employer, coach, camp counselor, doctor–think someone in a position of authority over you–makes you feel uncomfortable in a sexual away, it was probably sexual assault.
Sexual Assault Can Involve:
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Intimidation
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Stalking
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Grooming
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Inappropriate sexual comments or insistent questions about your sex life
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Unwelcome sexual advances
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Requests for sexual favors, especially under threats affecting your employment, education, sports eligibility (etc.)
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Unwanted sexual touching
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And anything else that made you feel uncomfortable
#icouldntsayno
If you wound up in a situation of imbalanced power, such as in a professional situation where you couldn’t say no to an authority’s ultimatum (such as a boss or supervisor), you can take your power back by taking part in civil legal action to prosecute the institution that looked the other way. >>
California sexual abuse
In 2020, a three-year law went into effect in California that allowed people who were sexually abused as children to file lawsuits, even if the abuse happened decades ago. At the same time, adults who were abused in recent history were given a temporary opportunity (ending in 2023) to seek justice from abusers at camps, churches or places of worship, doctors’ offices, hospitals, schools/universities, and in the entertainment industry. >>
Dr. David Broadbent
Dr. Broadbent was a Utah OBGYN who practiced for 47 years near Brigham Young University & Utah Valley University in the Provo/Orem/Salt Lake City area, where young girls often receive their first-ever gynecological exam in preparation for marriage or using birth control. Sure, some naïveté is expected at one’s first gynecological exam but not enough to overcome gut instinct. If it felt creepy, it probably was. >>
Dr. Fabio Ortega
In 2021, former Chicago gynecologist Dr. Ortega pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated sexual assault and was sentenced to three years in prison. According to the attorneys on the case, Chicago area-based NorthShore and Swedish Covenant Hospitals where Ortega worked ignored complaints from patients and instead chose to protect him because he was a cash cow. >>
Dr. John Carl Hoefs
Dr. Hoefs is affiliated with the Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian Medical Center in Newport Beach and has also been affiliated with the University of California, Irvine, and the Liver Specialty Center in Irvine. His medical license, obtained 50 years ago, has not yet been revoked, leading authorities to suspect there may be more survivors. >>
Catholic Church sexual abuse
Widespread child sexual abuse occurred for decades in the Catholic Church – and the worst part? The Church actively worked to cover up the abuse, choosing to shuffle around accused clergy members to silence rumors instead of going to the proper authorities. Even now, survivors are still coming forward. >>
Abuse in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Sadly, no religious institution has been immune from allegations of sexual assault by clergy or other leadership, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A string of lawsuits has been filed against Church leaderships alleging wider cover-ups, and we believe the onslaught isn’t over yet. >>
Troubled Teen industry sexual assault
Since the 1970s, a vast network of “therapeutic” behavioral centers has grown up in the United States operating under minimal government regulation and with laughable disciplinary consequences. The $23 billion-dollar industry cons parents and damages kids for life, but hardly anyone even knew about it until Paris Hilton released her book Paris: The Memoir in March 2023. >>
Soccer abuse
More than one in four women college athletes (across all sports) experience some type of sports-related sexual abuse during college and often coaches are the perpetrator. Reports include verbal and psychological abuse, daily body-shaming, personal taunts, grooming, sexual abuse, isolation, manipulation, and physical punishment reminiscent of military hazing. >>
Long-term care sexual abuse
Community-based residences advertising long-term care for the elderly and disabled, including disabled children, are supposed to offer help, not become havens where abusive staff take advantage of helpless people. Many of these organizations cut corners and severely slash budgets, creating a culture of hidden abuse with tragic results. >>
Uber/Lyft sexual assault
The core concept of both Uber and Lyft is that they are supposed to provide safe transportation. How ironic, then, that both companies are embroiled in huge sexual assault lawsuits over safety, specifically women’s safety. What is most shocking is that the majority of women have no idea this is even a thing. >>
Huck sexual abuse
Local NBC news reported in August 2023 that Ohio high school teacher Matthew Huck picked up kids from school or home and brought them to his wife Paige, a former cheer coach. At overnight events hosted in their home or at the school gymnasium, the couple facilitated rampant grooming and sex abuse. >>
What Should You Expect from a Sexual Assault Lawsuit?
If you have experienced SA, we want to empower you with information about how to file a lawsuit + help you take those first steps.
- The time limit to file a sexual assault lawsuit hinges on each state’s SOL (statute of limitations). State laws and fed legislation are constantly evolving across the country, sometimes permitting survivors to file claims even if the SOL has expired. It’s important to know the latest developments as each opportunity is made available. But don’t worry -we can help you with that.
- It is also important to understand what the potential outcomes may be in your specific situation. Contact us to talk through any specific questions you may have. Our sexual assault lawyers can talk things through with you and help you understand what to expect a sexual assault lawsuit.
In a civil sexual assault case, outcomes typically include the survivor(s) receiving financial compensation, changing an entity’s policies, procedures, etc, and ultimately helping to change a system designed to perpetuate and silence assault. That is why these lawsuits matter so much.
How Does a Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuit Work?
Civil cases use monetary penalties to punish those involved. One of the sexual assault law firms we work with will draft documents and collect evidence pertinent to your case (all while working closely with you, of course), defend your case if it goes to trial (FYI: not typical), negotiate a settlement, or pursue a successful jury verdict. At the end of the day what matters most is achieving a positive result in your case and forcing those who hurt you to change their ways – therefore, helping to protect other women in the future.
A Case for Women and A Case for Justice have fought many BIG BADS to achieve financial compensation for sexual assault survivors. Virtually no large entity has been immune to sexual assault lawsuits, ranging from pursing large corporations to sports, the Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts, doctors hiding assault behind routine medical exams, churches and other religious non-profits hiding abusers, residential treatment centers that fail to protect their patients from abuse, and many more.
We Are Here For You.
A Case for Women is here (founded in 2016 by women for women) for you (to help fight the particular legal battles confronting women exclusively, since many of us have experienced the same traumas). We are here for you 24/7/365 when you are ready to tell us what happened to you in strictest confidence.
Even if you should decide to participate in a lawsuit, you can easily remain anonymous. We promise. If you’ve been sexually assaulted by someone associated with a larger organization, business, or entity, we want to help.
You’ve heard us say: Speak your truth, even if your voice trembles. By helping yourself, you help us drastically change the narrative about sexual assault lawsuits. Every voice adds to the growing chorus. Besides helping heal you on so many levels, you could prevent your tragedy from befalling another – or many others. That is huge power.
Where to Tell Your SA Story
