San Francisco Sexual Abuse Attorney

Sexual abuse is something that no parent wishes to imagine is happening to his or her child. Yet it is a crime that impacts thousands of innocent children each year. If you are an adult survivor of child sexual abuse or your child has been sexually abused in San Francisco, California, get help from the dedicated attorneys at Manly, Stewart & Finaldi. Our sexual abuse lawyers have obtained unprecedented recoveries for child sex abuse victims. We are strong litigators who care about our clients. Contact us online or call (800) 700-8450 for your free, 100 percent confidential sexual abuse consultation to begin your case.

Why Clients Choose Us

  • Our founder, Attorney John C. Manly, has been successfully representing sexual abuse victims for over 25 years. He was named one of California’s Top 100 Attorneys by the Los Angeles Daily Journal.
  • We are one of the nation’s leading sexual abuse and assault law firms. We have helped hundreds of clients secure the justice that they deserve. Our attorneys have achieved groundbreaking case results in the hundreds of millions.
  • We will put you first throughout your San Francisco sexual abuse claim. We can keep your identity anonymous, if desired, and take other steps to ensure that you feel safe, seen and heard. We will always believe you.

San Francisco Sexual Abuse Lawyer

San Francisco Sexual Abuse FAQs

How a San Francisco Sexual Abuse Attorney Can Help

Living through the crime of sexual abuse or finding out that your child is a victim of a sex crime is overwhelming. You may not know where to begin when it comes to coping, moving forward and holding someone accountable. Working with an experienced sexual abuse attorney in San Francisco can give you back control of your life. Your lawyer can guide you through the steps that it takes to file a claim by providing services such as:

  • Answers to your questions and sound legal advice.
  • Comprehensive sexual abuse case investigation.
  • Evidence, records and documentation preservation and collection.
  • Witness interviews and depositions.
  • Claims filing and other required legal procedures.
  • Efficient navigation of California’s sexual abuse laws.
  • Aggressive insurance claim settlement negotiations.
  • Representation during a court trial, if necessary.

 You can trust your lawyer to attend hearings and meetings on your behalf while you focus on treatments, therapies and moving forward with your life as a sexual abuse survivor. Your attorney will zealously advocate for you and demand just case results, even if this means going to trial in San Francisco County. You do not have to go up against your abuser or an institution alone.

What Is Sexual Abuse?

Sexual abuse is a long-term pattern of sexual assault, particularly against a child. California’s definition of sexual assault is to touch the intimate parts of another person without that person’s consent and against his or her will for the specific purpose of sexual arousal, gratification or abuse. Intimate parts refer to sexual organs, the anus and a female’s breasts.

Sexual abuse can involve touching, groping, penetrating, rape, attempted rape or sodomy. It can also involve nonphysical abuse, such as exposure of sexual organs, exhibitionism or child pornography. Sexual abuse means ongoing sexual assault against a victim, typically against a minor under the age of 18. It is an extremely harmful crime that can injure a victim in multiple ways. Sexual abuse means ongoing sexual assault against a victim, typically against a minor under the age of 18. It is an extremely harmful crime that can injure a victim in multiple ways.

Has Your Child Been A Victim Of Sexual Abuse?

Sadly, many children are sexually abused and assaulted every year. The signs of sexual abuse may go unnoticed unless one is wary of the symptoms and stays alert to any suspicious changes in their child’s behavior. Sexual abuse can take place in many forms and is extremely emotionally and psychologically damaging for those children unfortunate enough to be victimized by it. Some of the warning signs and red flags of child sexual abuse include:

  • Unusual knowledge of sexual subjects
  • Using new words for private parts
  • Withdrawal or isolation from others
  • Low self-esteem or self-image
  • Sudden changes in mood or behavior
  • Outbursts or aggression
  • Decreased performance in school
  • Fear of a certain place or person
  • Unwillingness to get undressed
  • Signs of anxiety or depression
  • Nightmares or bedwetting
  • Regression to behaviors from an earlier age
  • Changes in eating habits
  • Physical signs, such as injuries or bruising near the genitalia

If you have noticed any strange or unusual changes in your child such as: sullenness, an adult meeting alone with your child more than once, or any similar circumstances, it is in your best interests to speak with a San Francisco sexual abuse attorney from the firm at your earliest convenience. We understand the pain and suffering you are going through if you have recently learned that your child has been abused. If you are unsure about whether or not your child has been abused, but you feel that it may be a strong possibility, please get the legal assistance you need.

Our Sexual Abuse Practice Areas in San Francisco, California

Manly, Stewart & Finaldi is America’s leading law firm for sexual abuse cases. Our founding attorney, John C. Manly, has dedicated more than 25 years to providing top-quality legal representation to sexual abuse survivors and their families. As a law firm that exclusively handles sexual abuse and assault cases, we have what it takes to represent you. Our highly experienced and dedicated legal team assists clients in all types of sexual abuse cases, such as:

  • Sexually abused in school
  • Coach sexual abuse
  • Foster care abuse
  • Boy Scout abuse
  • Sexual abuse in sports
  • Sexual abuse at work
  • Doctor sexual misconduct
  • Government sexual abuse
  • Clergy sexual abuse
  • Clergy sexual harassment
  • Incest
  • Sexual harassment
  • Sexual harassment in school
  • Child sexual harassment
  • Sexual harassment in sports
  • Coach sexual harassment
  • Elder sexual harassment
  • Government sexual harassment
  • Foster case sexual harassment
  • Boy Scout sexual harassment
  • Sexual harassment at work
  • Sexual hazing
  • School sexual hazing
  • Work sexual hazing
  • Government sexual hazing
  • Sexual hazing on sports teams
  • Sexual bullying
  • Internet sex crimes
  • Online sexual harassment
  • Cyberstalking
  • Cyberbullying
  • BART sexual assault
  • Sex with a minor
  • Rape
  • Spousal rape
  • Sexual assault
  • Social media sexual harassment
  • University of San Francisco sexual harassment

No matter the type or nature of sexual abuse you or a loved one endured, we can help. We are dedicated to advocating for children and adults who have suffered from sexual misconduct and sex crimes in San Francisco County and the surrounding areas. We have successfully recovered more than $2 billion for our clients and are ready to help you with any type of sexual abuse case.

When Can You Sue an Institution for Sexual Abuse in San Francisco?

Sexual abuse survivors in California are often able to hold more than just perpetrators responsible for the crimes committed against them. In many cases, sexual abuse could have been prevented with due care and diligence on the part of an institution, such as a school, after-school program, workplace, church, sports organization, club, medical center or foster program.

Sexual predators often gain access to children through such institutions, which may be negligent in conducting background checks when they take on new employees or volunteers. This type of negligence can make the institution legally and financially responsible for sexual abuse and assault. You may have the power to sue an institution in San Francisco if it or one of its employees should have done more to protect you or your child from sexual abuse.

For example, in many cases, institutions had prior knowledge of an employee’s sex offenses but failed to investigate complaints or follow up with remedies such as terminating the employee. These acts of negligence would give a survivor the right to hold the institution liable for sexual abuse by one of its staff members or associates.

Financial Compensation for Sexual Abuse and Assault Survivors 

In California, when a civil liability lawsuit is brought for any type of tort (wrongdoing), the victim or plaintiff can seek financial compensation for both economic and noneconomic damages. Any of the injuries or losses caused by the tort can be included in the claim to make the victim financially whole again. As a sexual abuse survivor or the parent of a victim, you may be entitled to compensation for the following types of losses: 

  • Medical bills. Any past, present or future medical expenses connected to the sexual abuse, including hospital stays, injury treatment, medical tests, therapies, counseling, medications, and psychological or emotional damage treatments.
  • Lost wages and capacity to earn. The total amount of income that you lost from having to take time off of work (including medical leave), as well as any future lost capacity to earn due to a long-term disability.
  • Pain and suffering. The intangible losses associated with your traumatic experience, including physical pain, emotional distress, psychological harm, PTSD, and diminished enjoyment or quality of life.
  • Attorney’s fees and out-of-pocket costs. Any out-of-pocket expenses that you used to recover from the crime, including relocation costs, travel or transportation, attorney’s fees, and court costs.
  • Punitive damages. An additional amount may be available in cases involving a defendant’s malicious or highly reckless behaviors. The nature of sexual abuse and assault cases often makes punitive damages a possibility for plaintiffs.

There are many reasons to take legal action for sexual abuse in San Francisco. Telling your story can hold a perpetrator accountable and provide closure. It can shed light on sex crimes committed in your community and enact changes on an institutional level to protect future children. Although a financial settlement is not the driving force for many victims to file claims, the compensation available can help a survivor plan for the future with less financial stress.

How Much Time Do You Have to File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in California?

In California, lawmakers recently extended the statute of limitations on sexual abuse and assault civil claims. A statute of limitations is a law that places a deadline on the right to file a claim. This time limit is in place to encourage prompt filing so that victims will act while key evidence is still available. It is critical to meet your statute of limitations to avoid losing the ability to hold someone responsible for sexual abuse.

The California Legislature recognizes how difficult it is for many sexual abuse survivors to come forward. They realize that it can sometimes take years for victims to understand what happened to them and be ready to go public with their stories. For this reason, they recently extended California’s statute of limitations for sexual abuse and assault claims.

You currently have until your 40th birthday to file a sexual abuse claim in California if the crime took place before you were 18 years of age. If you were an adult when someone sexually abused or assaulted you, you have 10 years from the date of the last act or attempted act to file a claim. There is also a discovery exception to both of these statutes that could give you more time to file.

If you do not discover that the source of your injuries or mental health condition was sexual abuse right away, you will have five years from the date of reasonable discovery to file concerning child sexual abuse or three years for adult sexual abuse. Note that this extension took effect on January 1, 2020. If you were sexually abused before this date, you may have a much shorter filing deadline. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to make sure you file in time.

Sexual Abuse Lawyer Serving San Francisco

It may be necessary to utilize resources such as child specialists in order to evaluate your child and get the required information. It is imperative that not time is wasted even if you merely suspect that an individual may have abused your child. If you are unsure as to who may have abused your child but feel as though it may have occurred, we can help you to discover the truth. Taking the proper legal steps may not be easy, but it is the right thing to do. Without an experienced attorney at your side fighting for you and your child, things will only get worse. We have helped countless clients to get the best treatment for their children so that they can eventually move on with their lives as much as possible. Our team of powerful attorneys has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients in past child abuse cases. Please call our firm today so that we can assist you immediately.

How Much Does a Sexual Abuse Lawyer Cost?

At Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, we believe that seeking justice for sexual abuse in San Francisco should not come at a financial disadvantage to the survivor. Our attorneys make high-quality legal representation affordable by operating on a contingency fee basis for all of our clients. With this payment arrangement, you will only owe attorney’s fees if we are successful in securing financial compensation for your case. If you don’t win, you don’t pay.

 If your sexual abuse or assault claim does result in a financial settlement or jury verdict, we will charge our fees by taking a percentage of the overall amount collected. We will not bill you directly or charge you out of pocket. Contingency fees enable all sexual abuse survivors to benefit from the representation and advocacy of an attorney. Learn more about how much our lawyers cost during a free and confidential case evaluation in San Francisco.

What to Do if You’ve Been Sexually Abused or Assaulted in San Francisco

If you or a loved one has been sexually abused or assaulted in San Francisco, take steps to protect yourself and bring the perpetrator to justice. Here’s what to do:

  1. Get help. Tell a trusted friend or family member what happened. While it can be difficult to come forward, this is the first step toward moving on with your life.
  2. Tell the police. If the incident is an emergency, call 911. In a nonemergency, you can still notify the police if you wish to report the crime and press charges against the abuser.
  3. See a doctor. Get medical care as soon as possible after the act of sexual abuse or assault. In the first 120 hours after the trauma, a trained medical professional can perform a forensic medical exam to preserve evidence.
  4. Process your experience. Go to a psychiatrist or therapist to process what happened to you and learn healthy and effective coping mechanisms. Post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological effects are common after sexual abuse.
  5. Talk to a sexual abuse lawyer in San Francisco. Begin the legal side of things by discussing your potential case with an attorney at Manly, Stewart & Finaldi at no cost or obligation.

Bringing a civil lawsuit in San Francisco can hold an individual or institution accountable for the sexual crimes committed against you or your child. Our lawyers can help you and your family with each step to take after sexual trauma.

San Francisco Sexual Abuse Resources

San Francisco Sexual Assault Resources

Contact a San Francisco sexual abuse attorney from the firm immediately if you or your child has been the victim of sexual abuse.

Contact an Experienced San Francisco Sexual Abuse Attorney Today 

The time to come forward with your sexual abuse claim in San Francisco is now. The lawyers at Manly, Stewart & Finaldi will protect your rights every step of the way. We will make sure that your needs are met and that your voice is heard. Whether you are a survivor of sexual abuse yourself or your child is a victim of this unspeakable crime, we will pursue justice as if your case were our own. We are knowledgeable, compassionate and highly experienced sexual abuse attorneys in San Francisco.

Discuss your case during a free initial consultation today. Call our West Coast office at (800) 700-8450 to speak to one of our attorneys.