Sexual Assault Attorney in New York
Taking action after sexual assault can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Reach out to a dedicated sexual abuse attorney for a confidential consultation and explore your legal options today.
Legal Support for Survivors of Sexual Assault
Experiencing sexual assault can have profound and lasting effects on a survivor’s life. Many individuals struggle with anxiety, PTSD, depression, and challenges in both personal and professional relationships. The trauma can lead to fear and shame, making it difficult to speak out—while perpetrators often go unchallenged.
Survivors deserve justice. In New York, legal options may include civil lawsuits against individuals, businesses, or institutions, as well as seeking an order of protection through family or criminal court. As sexual assault attorneys, we are committed to helping survivors navigate the legal system with care and clarity. Whether pursuing accountability through a civil claim or securing legal protection through an order of protection, we provide the advocacy and support survivors need to take back control and move forward.
How We Help Survivors of Sexual Assault
Our firm is dedicated to advocating for survivors and holding both perpetrators and those who enabled the abuse accountable. As sexual abuse attorneys, we provide legal support at every stage of the process—ensuring your rights are protected and your safety remains our top priority.
- Obtain civil protection orders: We assist survivors in securing civil protection orders in Family Court to prevent further harm.
- Navigate the criminal justice system: Understanding the legal process can be overwhelming. We help survivors engage with law enforcement and prosecutors while ensuring their rights as crime victims are protected under New York law.
- File lawsuits against perpetrators, businesses & institutions: We pursue civil claims not only against individual abusers but also against companies, schools, and other organizations that allowed or failed to prevent the abuse.
Every case is different, and we take a personalized approach to ensure survivors receive the justice and support they deserve.
Sexual Assault Claims in New York
As attorneys for sexual assault survivors, we provide legal support to help them assert their rights and pursue justice. In addition to the criminal process, survivors may have the option to file civil lawsuits—seeking financial compensation and holding individuals or institutions accountable for negligence, misconduct, or enabling abuse.
Depending on the circumstances, claims may include:
Sexual assault & sexual battery
Sexual assault and sexual battery claims involve non-consensual sexual contact or attempts to engage in such contact, allowing survivors to seek civil compensation for the physical and emotional harm they’ve endured.
Human trafficking
The New York Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act and the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act provide strong legal tools for survivors of human trafficking, allowing them to pursue civil damages and hold traffickers—and those who benefited from the trafficking—accountable.
NYC Gender-Motivated Violence Act
The NYC Gender-Motivated Violence Law allows survivors to seek civil damages for acts of violence committed because of their gender
Negligent security
A negligent security claim allows survivors to hold property owners or managers accountable when their failure to provide adequate security contributed to the assault.
Negligent hiring, retention & supervision
These claims allow survivors to seek accountability from schools, businesses, or landlords that failed to properly screen, monitor, or respond to misconduct by employees, contractors, or tenants.
Civil RICO
Racketeering claims allow survivors to bring federal lawsuits when abuse is part of an organized criminal enterprise, holding not only direct perpetrators but also corporate leaders, employees, and associates accountable for participating in or facilitating a pattern of illegal conduct.
If you’ve experienced sexual assault, you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. Contact us for a confidential consultation to discuss your options.
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Understanding Sexual Assault Laws in New York
Survivors of sexual assault in New York have several legal options under both state and federal law. Civil lawsuits can be brought against individuals, institutions, or businesses responsible for the harm, including claims for sexual assault, battery, or intentional infliction of emotional distress. In New York City, the Gender-Motivated Violence Act allows survivors to sue for acts of violence committed because of their gender. Survivors of sex trafficking may also have claims under the New York Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act, which expands civil and criminal liability for traffickers and those who benefit from trafficking. Orders of protection can be sought through family court to help ensure safety moving forward. In some cases, federal laws such as the Trafficking Victims Protection Act or the civil RICO statute can be used to hold individuals and organizations accountable for coordinated or enterprise-based abuse. Whether through civil litigation or collaboration with prosecutors in criminal cases, survivors deserve a legal process that prioritizes their safety, dignity, and right to be heard.
Who We Represent: Serving Victims of Sexual Assault in New York
At ALM Law, we represent survivors of sexual assault across New York who are seeking safety, accountability, and justice. Our clients include people harmed in a wide range of settings—schools, workplaces, rental housing, healthcare facilities, religious institutions, and within personal relationships. Some face abuse by individuals in positions of power; others are ignored or mistreated by the institutions that should have protected them. We understand that no two cases are alike, and we tailor our approach to meet each client’s unique legal and emotional needs.
Whether the assault happened recently or years ago, we are here to help survivors understand their rights and explore available legal remedies. We take on cases involving individual perpetrators, negligent organizations, and complex systems that allowed abuse to occur. Our goal is to provide clear, trauma-informed guidance and strong advocacy—so that survivors are supported at every step of the legal process.
If you or someone you love has been affected by sexual assault in New York, you don’t have to face it alone. Contact us for a confidential consultation with an attorney who represents survivors of sexual assault, and learn about your legal options for pursuing safety, accountability, and justice.
Why choose ALM Law?
When seeking justice after sexual assault, having the right sexual assault attorney by your side can make all the difference. We are committed to providing survivors with dedicated legal representation, helping them navigate the complexities of the legal system while prioritizing their well-being.
What Sets Us Apart:
Focused experience in sexual assault litigation: We have represented survivors in a wide range of sexual assault cases and understand how to build strong claims against individuals, institutions, and entities that enabled or ignored the abuse.
Compassionate, personalized advocacy: We recognize that every survivor’s story is different. Our approach is rooted in listening, honoring your goals, and tailoring our strategy to what matters most to you.
Trauma-informed legal support: We understand the emotional weight of this process. Our team handles each case with care and sensitivity, moving at a pace that respects your comfort and readiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after experiencing sexual assault?
If you’ve experienced sexual assault, your safety and well-being come first. Seek medical care if needed, preserve any evidence, and consider reporting the incident to the authorities when you feel ready. A sexual assault attorney can help you understand your legal rights, explore your options, and support you through every step of the legal process.
How can a sexual assault victim attorney assist me?
An attorney for sexual assault survivors provides legal support in both civil and criminal contexts, helping clients understand their rights and options. We represent survivors in lawsuits against perpetrators and in claims against negligent institutions such as employers, schools, or property owners. When appropriate, we also help clients obtain orders of protection to prevent further contact with the abuser.
What legal claims can I pursue after a sexual assault?
Survivors can pursue civil claims for sexual assault, sexual battery, and related offenses. In New York City, additional legal action may be available under the Gender-Motivated Violence Act. A sexual abuse attorney can assess your case and identify the strongest legal path forward.
How long do I have to file a sexual assault lawsuit in New York?
The time frame for filing a lawsuit depends on the details of your case, including whether you were a minor when the assault occurred. Some claims are subject to extended statutes of limitations. Speaking with a sexual assault attorney in New York as soon as possible helps ensure you preserve your right to take legal action.
Can I take legal action if an employer or property manager failed to protect me?
Yes. If an employer, landlord, or property manager failed to take reasonable steps to prevent assault—such as ignoring prior complaints, failing to screen employees or tenants, or providing inadequate security—you may have grounds for a civil lawsuit. These claims often fall under negligent hiring, supervision, or premises liability. A sexual assault attorney can review the facts of your case and advise whether legal action against a third party is possible.
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