Survivors of Adult Sexual Abuse Can Now Take Legal Action

We Can Help

Unfortunately, adult sexual abuse is common. Every 68 seconds, another American is sexually assaulted. 1 out of every 6 women, and 1 out of every 33 men, in America have been the victim of an attempted or completed rape. In addition, the majority of sexual assault victims know their attacker.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law the Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act (AB 2777). Effective January 1, 2023, sexual assault survivors who were sexually assaulted as adults now have a three-year window to expose their attackers and those who covered up the abuse. AB 2777 also allows some survivors of sexual assault to bring a civil action in California for damages suffered as a result of the sexual assault.

You are not alone. The majority of survivors of sexual abuse wait years, if not decades, to tell someone about being abused. Why?

Shame and thinking the abuse was in some way their fault
Fear that the perpetrator will find out and will retaliate
Fear that their friends, coworkers or family will find out
Apprehension that they will not be believed
Anxiety that talking about the abuse will be painful and triggering
Fear of the authorities or fear of the unknown legal process
Non-disclosure agreements or other legal threats or coercions

Perpetrators and institutions use a broad number of severe tactics to silence survivors & empower predators. It may be the time to take action and address the significant damages caused by adult sexual abuse.