Justice For Survivors Of Sexual Abuse
If you are a sexual abuse survivor, it is understandable that you want to hold the responsible parties accountable for what happened. You deserve to get justice as well as compensation for the trauma you endured.
At the Law Office of Victoria Wickman in New York City, we are proud to represent survivors and fight for their rights in civil sexual abuse lawsuits. Led by attorney Victoria Wickman’s 20-plus years of experience, we treat clients with dignity and respect throughout the duration of their case. Please contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Filing A Claim Under The Child Victims Act
In 2019, the New York Child Victims Act was enacted to extend the time available for childhood sexual abuse survivors to bring civil and criminal actions against their abuser(s). The statute of limitations now makes it possible for survivors to file a civil lawsuit for child sexual abuse until they are age 55. They may seek criminal charges until they are 28 years old. This gives survivors much more time to come forward and take legal action.
A Child Victims Act (CVA) lawyer can help you file a claim against the abuser, which can include individuals, organizations and institutions. We will be your advocate throughout the process and handle all of the legal matters and paperwork, ensuring that you meet the criteria for a CVA claim and that we recover witness statements and evidence. Some cases are settled out of court, while others go to trial. We will discuss your options with you.
Understanding The Adult Survivors Act
The New York Adult Survivors Act (ASA) was a law that allowed adults who were sexually assaulted to seek compensation from the offender in a civil suit. People could file no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. This law was in effect from November 24, 2022, to November 23, 2023. While some of the lawsuits may still be in progress, no new cases are being filed.
Who Can You Sue For Sexual Abuse?
You can sue all accountable parties connected with the abuse, whether they are individuals or organizations. Some of the most common offenders are:
- Clergy (priests, ministers, reverends, pastors, rabbis, bishops)
- Teachers and aides
- Coaches
- Camp counselors and staff
- Youth organization leaders (scoutmasters, troop leaders, chaperones)
- Day care providers
- Doctors and other health care providers
- School districts
- Churches, synagogues and other religious institutions
- Hospitals and clinics
- Youth camps
- Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other youth organizations
Bringing an individual or institutional abuse lawsuit is a large undertaking, but we will manage it on your behalf. Whether you need a school abuse lawyer or an attorney for a clergy abuse case, we can help. You can sue all involved parties such as an individual teacher and the school district.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Please see the questions below to learn more about filing a sexual abuse lawsuit. Contact us if you have more questions.
What is the Child Victims Act?
The CVA gives child sexual abuse survivors the ability to file a civil claim until age 55 and criminal charges until age 28, extending the previous statute of limitations.
What is the Adult Survivors Act?
The ASA was a law that started on November 24, 2022, and ended on November 23, 2023. It allowed adult sexual abuse survivors to file civil claims regardless of when the abuse happened.
Can I still file a claim under the Child Victims Act or Adult Survivors Act?
You can still file a claim under the Child Victims Act. You cannot file a claim under the Adult Survivors Act because it was only in effect for a year, and that time has passed.
How Our Firm Helps Survivors
At the Law Office of Victoria Wickman, we support the rights of sexual abuse survivors to seek justice and damages from the offender and any other responsible parties. We understand that you may have been living with this experience for years, and we will be your strong advocate.
Our sexual abuse attorney practices trauma-informed legal representation. This means we will ensure that you feel safe with us and with the legal process. It also means that you make the decisions that are right for you. We pledge to work with you and help you feel empowered to seek compensation for the trauma you experienced.
Contact us online or call us at 646-741-4588 for a free consultation. You pay nothing if we do not recover damages for you.