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Personal Injury
California Childhood Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Were you harmed by childhood sexual abuse in California? At Wilshire Law Firm — an award-winning, nationally recognized team — our attorneys help survivors hold individuals and institutions accountable. Contact us 24/7 for a free case review with a legal professional — there are no fees unless you get paid.
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Understanding Your Sexual Abuse Case
Explore essential resources on your rights, your options, and what to expect — everything you need to navigate the legal process, all in one place.
Wilshire Law Firm is an award-winning, nationally recognized team that represents survivors of childhood sexual abuse across California with compassion and discretion. Our attorneys investigate what happened, identify every individual and institution that may be responsible, and handle the legal process so you can focus on healing. Every conversation is confidential, and there are no fees unless you get paid.
The California Child Victims Act (Assembly Bill 218), effective January 1, 2020, dramatically expanded the rights of childhood sexual abuse survivors to bring civil claims. It extended the deadline to file, opened a three-year "lookback window" (2020–2022) that revived many previously time-barred claims, and increased potential damages against defendants who covered up abuse. Because how the law applies depends on your specific facts, a legal professional can review your situation during a free case review.
We handle civil claims arising from abuse by trusted individuals and the institutions that enabled it. This generally includes abuse committed by teachers, coaches, clergy, caregivers, and family members, as well as claims against schools, churches, youth organizations, nonprofits, and foster care systems that failed to protect children. We represent survivors of both single incidents and prolonged patterns of abuse. Related pages: school sexual abuse, institutional sexual abuse, and doctor sexual abuse.
The process begins with a private, no-pressure consultation and moves at a pace you are comfortable with. From there, our attorneys investigate the abuse, gather records and evidence, and file a civil claim against the responsible parties. Many cases resolve through a negotiated settlement, while others proceed to trial — and we prepare every case as if it will go to court. A civil claim is separate from any criminal case and can move forward on its own.
Yes. In California, civil and criminal proceedings operate independently, so you can generally pursue a civil claim even if criminal charges were never filed or did not result in a conviction. Civil cases use a lower burden of proof than criminal cases, meaning a criminal conviction is not required to hold an abuser or institution accountable. A legal professional can explain how this applies to your case during a free, confidential case review.
Meet Our Sexual Abuse Attorneys
Nationally-Recognized Powerhouse, Fighting for the Justice You Deserve
Our award-winning attorneys have recovered billions for clients while taking on insurance companies and major corporations.
Colin M. Jones, Esq.Senior Partner and Senior Trial Attorney, Chair of the Personal Injury Litigation Department
Jennifer P. Burkes, Esq.Senior Partner & Strategic Advisor, Personal Injury Litigation Department
Mary Lee Caruso, Esq.Senior Partner
Ryan Casey, Esq.Senior Partner and Trial Attorney
Tae-Yoon Kim, Esq.Senior Partner
Alivia E. Abreu, Esq.Partner
Shervin G. Ghanoongooi, Esq.Partner
Christopher Goodroe, Esq.Partner
Nathan A. GuestPartner and Trial Attorney
Brian M. Jacobson, Esq.Partner
Ariella Perry, Esq.Partner$4.0M
$3.0M
$2.5M
Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own facts.
How Long Do You Have to File a Childhood Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in California?
California's Child Victims Act (AB 218) significantly expanded the filing deadline for civil childhood sexual abuse claims. Under California Code of Civil Procedure §340.1, survivors generally have until age 40, or five years from the date they discover psychological injury caused by the abuse — whichever is later. For abuse occurring on or after January 1, 2024, Assembly Bill 452 eliminated the civil statute of limitations entirely. Because deadlines and exceptions vary by case, contact Wilshire Law Firm for a free, confidential case review.
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Record breaking results
Winners of #1 Settlements in California
Our attorneys have recovered billions of dollars, including some of the biggest settlements in California.
17#1 Settlements in California, 2022–2024*
TopVerdict #1TopVerdict.com #1 settlements
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*#1 settlements in California have been awarded by TopVerdict.com. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Sexual Abuse FAQs
Our Most Frequently Asked Questions
We've answered the most common ones below. If yours isn't here, call us — we're available 24/7.
The California Child Victims Act, enacted through Assembly Bill 218, expanded the ability of childhood sexual abuse survivors to bring civil claims. Among other changes, it extended the deadline to file and addressed situations where an institution concealed abuse. It reflects a recognition that survivors often need many years before they are ready to come forward.
Under California law, survivors of childhood sexual assault generally have until age 40, or five years from the date they discover psychological injury or illness related to the abuse, whichever is later. This is a longer window than most other injury claims because of how these cases affect survivors over time. Deadlines have exceptions, so it is important to confirm the timeline that applies to you.
Yes. Civil and criminal cases are separate, so a survivor can generally pursue a civil claim whether or not criminal charges were filed, investigated, or resulted in a conviction. Civil cases also use a lower standard of proof than criminal prosecutions. The decision to pursue a civil claim is yours to make, and the initial conversation is private.
Often, yes. When an institution knew or should have known about a risk of abuse and failed to take reasonable steps to protect children, it may share civil responsibility. These claims frequently involve examining what the organization knew and how it responded. Liability depends on the specific facts.
Confidentiality is treated as a priority. California procedures can allow survivors to protect their privacy in civil litigation, in many cases by filing under a pseudonym, and your first conversation with an attorney is confidential. An attorney can explain the privacy protections that may apply to your case.