{"id":353431,"date":"2017-01-09T16:06:49","date_gmt":"2017-01-09T21:06:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/civil-sexual-assault-lawsuits.html"},"modified":"2023-07-26T15:05:42","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T20:05:42","slug":"civil-sexual-assault-lawsuits","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/civil-sexual-assault-lawsuits.html","title":{"rendered":"Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuits<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Robert Rafii, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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A survivor of sexual assault can file a civil lawsuit against the offender. Recovery includes medical expenses for physical injuries, money to cover mental anguish (such as post-traumatic stress disorder), and other harms resulting from sexual acts.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sexual assault impacts millions of Americans every year. It is estimated that an American is sexually assaulted<\/a> every 68 seconds. People ages 12 to 34 (including victims of childhood sexual abuse) are at the highest risk for this type of violence.<\/p>\n

While the criminal court system is meant to punish the individual perpetrator, it doesn’t offer direct help to a victim of sexual violence<\/a>. They may suffer from lasting emotional or physical trauma because of a sexual predator.<\/p>\n

Yet, the victim (or their guardians, if a child is involved) may be able to file a sexual assault civil suit. This may help them recover from the physical personal injuries and mental health\/emotional harm they suffer as a result of the abuse. In particularly egregious cases, you may even be able to recover punitive damages<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Below, you will find key information about civil sexual assault lawsuits, including:<\/p>\n