California Sex Abuse Lawyer

Sexual assault is a common tragedy in our society, and it often leaves its victims overcome with a sense of helplessness. They don’t know who to turn to for help, how to hold their attacker accountable, or whether they should report the crime.

Too often, facing the trauma and shame that follow sexual abuse cases, the victims choose to remain silent. Crime statistics consistently show that two of every three sexual assaults go unreported.

To understand your legal rights and get justice for this atrocious crime, you need a powerhouse legal team. Wilshire Law Firm is that team.

Our devoted and compassionate California sex abuse lawyers can protect you as we seek justice for what a sexual predator did to you—and in many cases, we can hold the institutions that protected them responsible, too.

By calling us for your confidential, free consultation consultation, you not only empower yourself to hold your abuser accountable, you might also protect others from that person’s abuse.

Wilshire Can Get Maximum Compensation in Your Sexual Abuse Case

Wilshire Law Firm understands the support and tireless advocacy you need to win your sexual abuse case. Our billion-dollar team has the experience and compassion to make sure sexual abuse victims get justice and get paid. 

Our team of more than 600 legal professionals is packed with nationally recognized lawyers accustomed to winning the most challenging cases. They’ve driven Wilshire Law Firm to win many awards, including the Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® for five consecutive years in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Ready to discuss your case with a results-driven, client-first legal team? Contact Wilshire Law Firm’s Los Angeles headquarters at (213) 335-2402 or online today. We also have offices in Oakland, Riverside, Orange County, Fresno, San Jose, and San Francisco for your convenience.

Types of Sexual Abuse 

California law recognizes several categories of offenses related to unwanted sexual activities.

The types of sexual abuse include:

• Rape – The use of force, threats, or fraud to engage in non-consensual sexual intercourse with another person, including a spouse. This involves any penetration, regardless of how slight, that occurs through physical force, coercion, or other means. 
• Sexual assault and battery – This covers a wide array of sexual criminal acts, rape, which involves any non-consensual sexual intercourse under various circumstances. It also includes forcible, unwanted touching (such as kissing or groping another person’s groin through their pants).
• Child molestation – This involves sexual abuse of a child, including inappropriate touching, fondling, or other sexual acts with a minor. This category also includes child pornography and child prostitution. Continual sexual abuse of a child can lead to longer sentences.
• Sex trafficking – This involves sexual exploitation and coercion. Victims are forced into prostitution, pornography, or other sexual activities against their will.
• Statutory rape – This is sexual intercourse with a minor under 18 years old who isn’t your spouse. Even if the minor willingly participated or even initiated sex, they are considered incapable of consenting under California law.
• Sexual harassment – A form of discrimination based on sex/gender, including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. It can affect individuals of any gender. Sexual harassment can take many forms, including quid pro quo when someone conditions job benefits (such as promotions) on submission to sexual advances or other conduct based on sex. Sexual harassment can also involve unwelcome comments or conduct based on sex that unreasonably interferes with work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

Wilshire is the top-tier law firm to guide you through your sexual abuse case and win the verdict you need. Contact us today for a consultation.

Common Signs of Sexual Abuse

If you suspect that a friend or loved one has suffered sexual abuse, it helps to know the signs. Here are some indicators of sexual abuse.

General signs:

• Fear of or avoidance of specific people or places
• Changing personal hygiene habits
• Self-harming behaviors or suicidal thoughts
• Sleep disturbances, including nightmares or insomnia.
• Sudden or unexplained mood changes, depression, or anxiety
• Unexplained changes in behavior or personality
• Unexplained pain, discharge, or burning in the genitals
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) without apparent cause

Signs in intimate relationships:

• Unexplained bruises, burn marks, or bite marks
• Justifying or dismissing concerning behaviors by a partner
• Seeming fearful or anxious about a partner’s reactions
• Significant changes in behavior, such as losing interest in usual activities
• Sudden alterations in personal style, such as wearing markedly different clothing
• Withdrawing from loved ones

Signs in children and adolescents:

• Behavioral changes such as aggression, withdrawal, or regression
• Nightmares, bedwetting, or fear of specific situations
• Sexualized behavior inappropriate for their age
• Changes in academic performance
• Physical symptoms such as pain, itching, or discomfort in the genital area
• Emotional distress such as anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts

Recognizing these signs can help you proactively support your loved ones and intervene when necessary. If you suspect sexual abuse, encourage them to seek help and provide a compassionate space for them to talk about their experiences. 

If you don’t know how to handle the legal aspects of a sexual abuse case, consult with Wilshire Law Firm today.

When to File a Criminal versus Civil Claim in Your Sexual Abuse Case

In California, you can pursue your sexual abuse cases through both criminal and civil legal channels. Understanding the differences between these two types of cases is crucial for victims seeking justice and closure. Here’s a breakdown of each option.

Criminal cases:

• Purpose – Criminal cases focus on establishing the guilt or innocence of the accused and imposing criminal penalties.
• Defendant – The state or government brings these cases against the perpetrator.
• Objective – To punish the offender for violating criminal laws and to protect society from further harm.
• Penalties – If convicted, the perpetrator may face imprisonment, fines, probation, and mandatory counseling or treatment.

Civil cases:

• Purpose – Civil cases focus on addressing the harm suffered by the victim and seeking financial compensation for damages.
• Plaintiff – The victim (plaintiff) sues the perpetrator for monetary damages resulting from the assault.
• Objective – To obtain compensation for physical, emotional, and financial harm caused by the assault.
• Outcome – Civil cases do not result in criminal penalties like incarceration but can provide financial restitution to the victim.

Ultimately, victims can pursue both criminal and civil cases simultaneously or separately, depending on their goals and circumstances. Consult with the Wilshire Law Firm team today to explore your options.

How to Prepare for Your Sexual Abuse Case

When taking legal action against a sexual abuser, follow these steps to maximize your outcomes:

• Prioritize your well-being – Be diligent about your medical treatments and counseling. Your health and mental well-being must take precedence. Sexual abuse leaves scars that linger, so seek professional help promptly.
• Preserve crucial evidence – Save any items linked to the assault. Clothing, bedding, or anything carrying the perpetrator’s DNA is critical evidence. Immediately hand these items over to the police or our legal team.
• Document details of the assault – Be thorough and honest about what transpired. Include specifics such as date, time, location, and relevant information. Memories fade, so act swiftly and safeguard this account in a secure place.
• Report the assault – Consider reporting the incident to the police. Don’t let shame silence you. File a blind report if necessary, which will protect your identity initially.
• Lean on emotional supporters – Discussing sensitive details of a sexual assault demands strength. Get the assistance you need. Having a trusted family member or our lawyers by your side during police interactions can provide essential support.

Every survivor deserves justice. You don’t have to pursue it alone. Consult our California sexual abuse attorneys to hold your abuser accountable and pave the way for your healing.

Which Damages Apply to Your Sexual Abuse Case?

When sexual abuse perpetrators face guilty verdicts, those can come with massive financial damages. These damages compensate survivors for the profound losses they have endured. Here are the types of damages our legal team can win for you.

Compensatory damages for sexual abuse – These address the physical and emotional toll the attacker has inflicted on the victim. They include:

• Medical expenses – Covering evaluations, treatment, counseling, and medications
• Lost wages – Restitution for income sacrificed during recovery
• Loss of earning capacity – Applicable when the abuse jeopardizes future income
• Property damage – Repairing any harm inflicted during the incident.

Non-economic damages for sexual abuse – These damages cover intangibles and are, therefore, difficult to quantify. A Wilshire Law Firm lawyer will have the skill and knowledge to detail these damages for you. Non-economic damages include:

• Emotional distress – Compensation for the psychological scars left by the assault
• Pain and suffering – Acknowledging the agony borne by the survivor
• Loss of consortium – Compensation for the impact on your relationships
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Reflecting your diminished quality of life due to the abuse

Punitive damages for sexual abuse – Punitive damages punish the wrongdoer and deter future transgressions.

Consult our legal team to assess the potential damages you deserve for the adversity you’re suffering. Our attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning they don’t get compensation unless they win your case.

How a Skilled California Sexual Abuse Lawyer Can Help Your Case

If you don’t know whether to hire a California sexual abuse lawyer, consider these elements that our experienced legal team can bring to your case.

Case evaluation

Our attorneys will thoroughly assess the circumstances of the incident, the extent of your injuries, and potential liability factors in your case. We will gauge the strength of your claim and outline the possible damages we can win for you.

Vast legal experience

Our experienced attorneys are well-versed in the relevant statutes, regulations, and case law that apply to your case. They have a proven track record in winning sexual abuse cases, and that is an indispensable element that will guide them in building a compelling case on your behalf.

Skilled investigators

Our attorneys can conduct thorough investigations into the incident that caused your injuries. They will tirelessly gather evidence, interview witnesses, review accident reports, and collaborate with experts to strengthen your case.

Documenting and presenting evidence

Your attorney will gather and organize the necessary evidence to support your claim, such as medical records, photographs, witness statements, and expert opinions. They know how to present the evidence in a compelling manner to establish liability and quantify your damages.

Legal advocacy in court

If your attorney can’t negotiate a fair settlement, they will be prepared to take your case to court. They will advocate for your rights before a judge and jury, presenting a solid case to seek the compensation you deserve.

Compassionate legal guidance 

Our attorneys guide you at every stage, answering your questions, explaining your rights, and ensuring you make informed decisions.

Don’t let anything keep you from holding your attacker accountable. Consult Wilshire Law Firm to begin pursuing your case today.

Get a Free Consultation on Your California Sexual Abuse Case

Wilshire Law Firm has the confidence that comes from winning large damage assessments in sexual abuse cases like yours. That’s why we finance your case out of our pockets and cover all legal fees. We do that because we know we will maximize your payout.

Are you ready to pursue justice with a legal juggernaut by your side? Contact us today at (213) 335-2402 or online for your free, no-obligation consultation.