CT Sexual Abuse Attorney

• Contact someone you trust. Many people feel fear, guilt, anger, shame and/or shock after they have been sexually assaulted. Some are frightened that no one will believe them. Some survivors feel that they will be seen as a willing participant in the acts. It is most often the case that survivors do not fight back during the abuse. Keep in mind that you are not at fault for not resisting the sexual abuse. 
• Having someone there to support you as you deal with these emotions can make a big difference. It may be helpful to speak with a counselor, someone at a sexual assault hotline, or a support group. 
• Report what happened to the police. If you do decide to report what happened, you will have a stronger case if you do not alter or destroy any evidence. This means don’t shower, wash your hair or body, comb your hair, or change your clothes, even if that is hard to do. If you are nervous about going to the police station, it may help to bring a friend with you. 
• Go to an Emergency Room or clinic. It is very important to seek healthcare as soon as possible after being assaulted. You will be treated for any injuries and offered medications to help prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted illness.

In many sexual abuse cases, victims are abused as children. Not having records or documentation is common, especially when young victims are told by their abusers not to reveal what happened, often with threats of harm to them or their family. Clergy sex abusers often use the threat of hell to silence the victim.

We’ll work with you to recreate events, find any available records, and gather photos of you at the age of the abuse, as well as procure other evidence needed to make our case.

Acts of sexual abuse can implicate two types of proceedings in the courts, namely criminal and civil. Criminal cases are brought by the State of Connecticut or the United States of America in Federal Court for violation of criminal statutes, potentially resulting in fines, probation, criminal records, and/or imprisonment. Civil cases for sexual abuse are bought by a person against another person, agent, or entity, such as a corporation or a business, for compensation in the form of money damages for the harm caused by sexual abuse. Multiple parties may be held liable for their involvement or failure to prevent the abuse. Compensation in these civil cases is in the form of money damages to compensate you for your losses, both economic and non-economic.

A child who is experiencing abuse may start exhibiting a plethora of telling signs, including, but not limited to, sleep difficulty and nightmares, avoiding activities they typically enjoy, emotional instability, bed wetting, repeating the acts on dolls or others, becoming withdrawn, or refusing to talk. Unexplained bruising can also be an indicator.

Because many victims of sexual abuse often know and trust—or fear—their perpetrators, it can be difficult for them to speak out. Start by gently asking them about what’s happening in their lives. Let them know that you’re there for them if they’re not ready to talk. 

If you do suspect abuse, it’s best not to delay. You can talk directly to the police or your local children’s social services agency, which can be anonymous.

Because many victims of sexual abuse often know and trust—or fear—their perpetrators, it can be difficult for them to speak out against them. Start by gently asking them about what’s happening in their lives. Let them know that you’re there for them if they’re not ready to talk. 

If you do suspect abuse, it’s best not to delay. You can talk directly to the police or your local children’s social services agency, which can be anonymous.

In Connecticut, the age at which you were abused will determine which statute of limitation will apply to your case. A civil claim for damages from childhood sexual abuse may often be filed well into adulthood—usually at any time before the victim turns 48 if abused under the age of 18 (Connecticut General Statutes 52-577d). Amended in 2019, the statute now states that a victim has until age 51 to bring their case. However, this  amendment is not retroactive.

If you were  abused when over the age of 18, you have up to three years after the act to file your lawsuit. However, if your abuser has been convicted of sexual assault in the first degree, there is no statute of limitations to bring a civil claim. (Connecticut General Statutes 52-577e).

The majority of sexual abuse cases settle out of court. If your case does go to trial, we will do everything we can to prepare you, hopefully to the point that you can’t wait to get on the witness stand and tell your story.

While money damages awarded can vary based on who the defendants are  (i.e., individual vs. organization), sexual abuse survivors have the right to seek monetary compensation for the damages they have suffered, including: 

• Economic damages: Medical expenses, expenses for past and future mental health treatment, and at times loss of income. .
• Non-economic damages: Compensation for intangible losses, such as emotional trauma, which can be more difficult to quantify but usually far greater than the economic damages.
• Punitive damages: Punishment for the defendant’s reckless and wanton conduct that evidences a blatant disregard for the victim’s safety.

• Economic  damages: Medical expenses, expenses for mental health treatment, and at times loss of income. .
• Non-economic damages: Compensation for intangible losses, such as emotional trauma, which can be more difficult to quantify but usually far greater than than the economic damages.
• Punitive damages: Punishment for the defendants reckless and wanton conduct which evidences a blatant disregard for the victim’s safety.