The Abuse Justice Center explains how civil claims for sexual abuse and assault work, state by state, and how to look for a civil attorney who handles these cases. Free to use. On your timeline.
Civil claims reach further than most survivors are ever told, to the institutions that enabled the abuse, not just the person who committed it.
How these cases work and who can be held liable →
How these cases work and who can be held liable →
How these cases work and who can be held liable →
How these cases work and who can be held liable →
How these cases work and who can be held liable →
How these cases work and who can be held liable →
Share only what you're comfortable sharing about looking for a civil attorney. You decide everything after that. In crisis? Call RAINN at 800-656-4673, 24/7.
Thank you for reaching out. If you need support right now, RAINN's hotline is free and confidential, 24/7: 800-656-4673.
No. The Abuse Justice Center does not charge survivors. Attorneys set their own fees: many survivor attorneys work on contingency, paid a percentage only if the case recovers money, but ask any attorney how they charge before you agree.
No. Civil claims are independent of the criminal system and are decided on the preponderance of the evidence, a lower standard than criminal court. Many successful civil cases involved no criminal charge at all.
Often it is not. States across the country have extended or eliminated civil statutes of limitations for sexual abuse and opened lookback windows that revive older claims. A lawyer in your state can tell you where you stand.
The team that runs this site. It is not shared with any law firm unless you agree, and we do not publish names.
If you represent survivors in civil abuse claims, join the Abuse Justice Center network and receive matched referrals in your city.
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