27-06-2019
When it comes to sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, news headlines largely focus on priests and bishops, but one report found at least six nuns among alleged abusers in Illinois parishes. Reports of sexual abuse by nuns have begun to populate news outlets and search engines. The watchdog group Bishop Accountability found that 100 nuns have been credibly accused nationwide—meaning that the allegations resulted in a lawsuit or news story. This pales in comparison to their list of over 10,000 credible accusations against priests, but this difference in scale
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25-06-2019
It’s not easy for someone to come forward about being a survivor of sexual abuse. And sometimes it’s even harder for survivors of sexual abuse to enter into an intimate relationship. If your partner has confided in you about past sexual abuse, consider it a major step on the path to their recovery. The road to recovering from sexual abuse can be complex to navigate and it helps to have a support system. These tips for how to be in a relationship with someone who was sexually abused can
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20-06-2019
Sharing sexually explicit images or video content with others is a personal choice, but state and federal laws make it plain: privacy is a right all citizens deserve. If you have been the victim of intimate content shared against your will, also known as nonconsensual porn or revenge porn, San Francisco civil attorneys may be able to obtain a recovery on your behalf under California’s revenge porn law. What is California’s Revenge Porn Law? Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 255 which took effect immediately on October 1, 2013, making
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18-06-2019
Nearly one-third of child sex abuse perpetrators are under the age of 18. When sexual assault occurs between minors, one may be hesitant to report the activity and if they do come forward, it can be difficult to determine who to hold liable. If you have questions regarding how to seek help for your child, an attorney can help. Speaking with an experienced civil attorney can help you navigate an incident involving sexual assault between minors. What is COCSA? Sexual assault or abuse between minors is referred to as Child-On-Child
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13-06-2019
Today’s sexual predators aren’t lurking in the shadows, wearing trench coats, and driving windowless vans. They look like everybody else. They’re coaching after-school sports, teaching in the classroom, performing medical examinations, living next door, participating in religious services, or even sitting at our holiday dinner tables. In fact, 90% of sexual abuse victims know their abuser and on the surface, these abusers can appear charming, helpful, and kind. But how does a friendly acquaintance move from a trusted individual to a sex offender? The answer is sexual grooming–a gradual method
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11-06-2019
This post was written before the passage of AB-218. For information regarding the statute of limitations for filing a civil lawsuit for childhood sexual assault/abuse, click here or contact our team of experienced representatives. Law enforcement generally helps victims in cases of sexual abuse by a family member. However, if you are seeking civil restitution, San Francisco attorneys at Lewis & Llewellyn can assist you with your claim. Many clients come to us if their abuse falls outside the standard statute of limitations for pressing criminal charges, if their
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06-06-2019
It was supposed to be a nice dinner between two good friends at FIG in Santa Monica. A woman excused herself to the restroom, where she received a shocking revelation. “Hey, um, this is kind of weird, but, uh, we saw the guy you were with put something in your drink,” a stranger entering the bathroom told her. Security footage from the restaurant revealed that her dinner companion did, indeed, procure a small vial and dump its contents into her drink. In this case, someone was able to warn the
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04-06-2019
This post was written before the passage of AB-218. For information regarding the statute of limitations for filing a civil lawsuit for childhood sexual assault/abuse, click here or contact our team of experienced representatives. Children with physical or mental disabilities are more likely to be sexually abused than their peers. While these children are increasingly dependent on adults for care, California law makes it plain: it is never acceptable, under any circumstance, for an adult to inappropriately touch a child. In fact, sexual contact with a disabled child is
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29-05-2019
For survivors of childhood sexual assault, the decision to come forward as an adult doesn’t come easy. Many survivors may feel triggered by discussions fueled by the #MeToo movement or stories involving church sexual abuse in the news, for example. If you’ve decided to come forward and pursue a civil lawsuit against an attacker for childhood sexual assault, an experienced attorney can help you navigate the complex legal system. One of the worst things to hear when considering civil justice for childhood sexual assault is that your time to
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23-05-2019
Male survivors of sexual assault are prominent plaintiffs in lawsuits against the Catholic Church. It was a California man who made headlines last year for suing the Vatican, after all. But we rarely hear about them being sexually assaulted in other situations. This may be due to their fear of coming forward and a fear of how someone may perceive them. Often, men carry the silent burden of childhood sexual assault their whole lives. More and more, we’re starting to hear stories of men speaking out as #MeToo shifts to
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16-05-2019
If you’re thinking about filing a sexual abuse lawsuit in the Bay Area, you may be wondering about your chance of winning. Civil litigation allows you to pursue financial compensation and third party liability. You’ll be faced with many decisions in a civil lawsuit—the first, but not the least of those decisions, being who to choose to represent your case. You may have noticed there are large, national law firms that claim big wins in sexual abuse lawsuits, and wonder: Are these really the best experts to handle my case?
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14-05-2019
Sexual harassment and sexual assault can occur in any workplace, whether it’s in the office of a private employer or a public employer like the state or federal government. Despite the progress made in the last two decades to end gender-based attacks, the reality is that workplace policies, laws, and reporting systems are slow to catch up to public sentiment. The more pressure that is applied to antiquated laws and predator-shielding practices, the more likely change is to occur. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes sexual
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