Sacramento Sexual Abuse
If you are a survivor of any type of sexual abuse in Sacramento, California, you deserve a legal advocate who will fight diligently for your rights. Manly, Stewart & Finaldi has been successfully representing sexual abuse and assault survivors for more than 25 years. We are one of the top sexual abuse law firms in the country, with record-setting results for former clients. Our lawyers can help you if you or a loved one has suffered sexual abuse. Contact us today for a free and private consultation.
Why Clients Choose Us
- We are a full-service sexual abuse law firm. This means we have all of the tools, resources and personnel to handle your case from start to finish. We will also do our best to help you move forward after your case has ended, if necessary.
- We know how difficult it is to come forward about sexual abuse and are here for you. Our attorneys can keep your identity anonymous and the details of your case confidential, if desired. We will put your safety and peace of mind above all else.
- Our lawyers are not afraid to stand up against any defendant, including a powerful institution such as a school district or diocese, in pursuit of justice for sexual abuse.
What Is Sexual Abuse?
Sexual abuse is a crime that refers to any physical, verbal or visual acts of a sexual nature committed against someone without the victim’s consent. The law in all 50 states is that minors cannot legally give their consent. In general, sexual abuse is used instead of the term sexual assault when describing an ongoing pattern of abuse over time, such as an adult abusing a child for a number of months or years. Sexual assault and abuse can refer to any of the following:
- Any sexual encounter with a minor
- Unwelcome sexual advances
- Fondling, groping or kissing without consent
- Exposure of sexual organs
- Sexual molestation or penetration
- Sodomy, rape or attempted rape
- Statutory rape
- Child pornography
Sexual abuse often involves an imbalance of power between the perpetrator and the victim. For example, sexual abuse may be seen between a pastor and a youth group member, a teacher and a student, or a doctor and a patient. Perpetrators take advantage of their positions of power and trust to sexually abuse and assault their victims. If you believe you or someone you love has experienced sexual abuse, stand up for your rights with help from an attorney.
How Can a Lawyer Help?
A sexual abuse lawyer in Sacramento can help you go up against one or more defendants in pursuit of justice and closure. You may have grounds to file a lawsuit not only against the individual who abused you, but also the institution(s) that allowed the abuse to take place or did nothing to address the problem. If a school district knew or reasonably should have known about unprofessional or inappropriate conduct by a teacher but did not properly investigate or penalize the teacher, for instance, the district could be responsible for school sexual abuse.
A lawyer can take care of the confusing legal aspects of your civil lawsuit, such as lengthy paperwork and the filing process. Your lawyer can go up against the defendants on your behalf so that you do not have to face them alone. An experienced attorney will fight for maximum financial compensation for your case, even if that means going to trial. Finally, an attorney in your corner can give you the confidence and peace of mind that you need during this difficult time.
Types of Sexual Abuse and Assault Cases We Accept in Sacramento
Our founder and lead attorney, John C. Manly, and his team of associates have had phenomenal success representing sexual abuse and assault survivors. We have decades of experience exclusively handling sexual assault cases. This gives us in-depth knowledge of this practice area, along with connections and resources to support our clients’ cases. We accept many different types of sexual assault and abuse cases in Sacramento, including (but not limited to):
- Clergy sexual abuse
- College and university sexual assault
- Doctor sexual abuse
- Elder sexual abuse
- Foster care sexual abuse
- Hazing sexual assault
- Massage spa sexual assault
- Online sex crimes or cyberbullying
- Police sexual harassment
- Rideshare sexual assault
- School sexual abuse
- Sexual harassment
- Sports or coach sexual abuse
- Stalking
- Workplace sexual assault
If you don’t see your type of case on this list, please contact us to discuss your specific lawsuit with an attorney during a private one-on-one consultation. We have secured record-breaking settlements and jury verdicts for past clients, including the largest sexual abuse settlement in history: $880 million in a global settlement against former Olympic Doctor Larry Nassar. We take a personalized approach to each case to collect the best possible results every time.
What Is the Statute of Limitations on Sexual Abuse Cases in California?
You may still have the right to file a sexual abuse or assault lawsuit in California even if the crime committed against you occurred decades ago. In 2020, California’s deadline on civil sexual assault and abuse cases was extended with Assembly Bill 218.
Under this law, your statute of limitations could be until your 40th birthday if you experienced child sexual abuse. You may have even longer if you did not discover the connection between your mental health issues and child sex abuse until later in life. In this case, you have 5 years from the date of discovery to bring a related lawsuit in California.
If you suffered sexual abuse or assault as an adult in California, you have 10 years from the date of the last incident or 3 years from the date of discovery to file a related lawsuit, whichever comes later. California’s statute of limitations was extended due to the nature of sexual abuse and how difficult it is for survivors to come forward and speak about what happened to them. It is important to take legal action as soon as possible, however – while important evidence is still available.
What to Do if You’ve Been Sexually Abused in Sacramento
If you have suffered sexual abuse in Sacramento, California, tell someone. Confide in a trusted friend or family member about what happened to you or make use of a confidential support line, such as the national sexual assault hotline at 1-800-656-4673. Reach out to a therapist or psychiatrist for ongoing mental health support, as well. Getting support is crucial for your mental and emotional health.
Go to a hospital for medical care for any injuries that you sustained in the assault. If you visit a medical center within 120 hours (5 days), you can obtain a free sexual assault forensic exam – or “rape kit” – that can collect important evidence against the perpetrator. Only certain medical facilities in Sacramento have the trained professionals to perform this type of exam, however, so call ahead of time and ask if this is available.
Next, report the attack to the proper authorities. Start by notifying the police. Call 911 if it is an emergency or file a report using the Sacramento Police Department’s nonemergency line at (916) 808-5471. If the abuse occurred at an institution, such as a school or church, file a report with the administration. Telling people about the crime committed against you will spread awareness, as well as create a record to support your claim. When you’re ready to take legal action in the pursuit of justice and closure, contact a lawyer for a free and confidential case review.
Contact Our Sacramento Sexual Abuse Attorneys Today
If you or someone you know is a sexual abuse survivor in Sacramento, please contact Manly, Stewart & Finaldi right away for a free case evaluation. We will listen to your story, believe you and investigate the incident. If we accept you as a client, we will work tirelessly for the results that you deserve. Call us at (855) 944-0710 or contact us online today for more information.