Standing Up for Survivors of Sexual Assault and Abuse
Coming forward after sexual assault or abuse is incredibly hard. You may be trying to heal, worrying about who will believe you, and wondering whether anything you do now can change what happened. On top of that, New York’s laws and deadlines—even with protections like the Child Victims Act—can feel confusing and overwhelming.
At The Law Office of Jesse D. Capell, PLLC, our role is to stand beside survivors as a civil sexual assault lawyer in NYC, helping you pursue compensation, accountability, and a measure of justice through the civil legal system. We represent adults and children who have survived sexual assault or abuse, including cases brought under New York’s Child Victims Act (CVA) and other look-back or extended-deadline laws.
Civil Lawsuits for Sexual Assault in New York
Criminal cases are about punishment; civil sexual assault lawsuits are about the survivor’s harm—your medical bills, therapy costs, lost income, and the emotional pain you live with every day. You may have the right to sue the person who assaulted you, and in some situations, the institutions that allowed it to happen.
A civil lawsuit can be brought against:
- Individual perpetrators – attackers, abusers, or anyone who committed the assault.
- Institutions and property owners – schools, religious organizations, youth programs, landlords, bars, clubs, employers, rideshare companies, or security contractors whose negligence helped create the conditions for the assault.
- Care facilities – nursing homes, residential programs, or group homes that failed to protect residents from sexual abuse, sometimes overlapping with nursing home abuse or elder abuse claims.
In many cases, third-party liability focuses on failures like inadequate security, ignoring prior complaints, poor hiring and supervision, or allowing known risks to continue.
New York’s Child Victims Act (CVA) and Other Look-Back Laws
CVA & Other New York Laws Protecting Sexual Abuse Survivors
New York’s Child Victims Act (CVA) was designed to give people who were sexually abused as children more time—and in some situations, a special window—to bring civil claims that would otherwise have been too old under traditional statutes of limitations. Similar legislation, like the Adult Survivors Act (ASA), created temporary windows for certain adult survivors as well.
Because these laws are time-sensitive and have detailed rules about who qualifies, where the abuse occurred, and when it happened, it’s critical to get current legal advice as soon as possible. Even if you’re not sure whether the CVA, ASA, or standard statute of limitations applies to you, a consultation can help you understand:
- Whether your claim might still be timely under current New York law
- Whether a special look-back window or extended deadline may apply
- Which individuals, institutions, or entities might be legally responsible
- What next steps make sense for your safety and well-being
Our firm reviews potential CVA and other sexual abuse cases confidentially and with care, helping you understand your options without pressure.
Types of Sexual Assault & Abuse Cases We Handle
Sexual Assault, Abuse, and Exploitation Cases We Pursue
Every survivor’s story is different, but certain patterns come up again and again. We represent survivors in civil cases involving:
- Child Sexual Abuse (CVA Cases): Abuse by teachers, coaches, religious leaders, youth program staff, family friends, or others in positions of trust, including older incidents that may fall under special New York laws like the Child Victims Act.
- Sexual Assault by Authority Figures: Assaults involving doctors, therapists, employers, supervisors, or others with power over the survivor. These cases often involve both the individual abuser and the institution that failed to protect you.
- Sexual Assault in Apartments, Hotels, and Businesses: Attacks made easier by broken locks, inadequate security, poor lighting, or a business ignoring past incidents—potentially leading to premises liability and negligent security claims.
- Sexual Assault in Nursing Homes and Care Facilities:
Abuse of residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or group homes, sometimes by staff or other residents where the facility failed to supervise or intervene. These cases may overlap with nursing home abuse and elder abuse litigation.
- Sexual Assault in Rideshare or Transportation Settings: Assaults that occur in vehicles or on the way to or from destinations, where companies or intermediaries may share responsibility for screening, supervision, and safety.
No matter the setting, we look at both the attacker’s conduct and the role of any institution that allowed the abuse to happen or continue.
Damages in Sexual Assault & Abuse Cases
What Compensation Can Survivors Seek in Civil Cases?
Money can’t erase what happened, but it can provide stability, access to treatment, and a sense of accountability. In a civil sexual assault lawsuit in New York, survivors may seek:
- Medical and therapy expenses – past and future treatment, medication, hospitalization, and specialized trauma therapy.
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity – if the assault impacts your ability to work, advance, or stay in your current job.
- Pain and suffering – compensation for physical pain and the emotional toll of fear, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and disruption to daily life.
- Other non-economic damages – loss of enjoyment of life, impact on relationships, and long-term psychological harm.
- Punitive damages (in egregious cases) – in some situations, additional damages may be awarded to punish especially outrageous or intentional conduct and deter others.
Part of our job is to work with you and, when appropriate, trusted experts to understand the full impact of the assault on your life and future.
A Trauma-Informed, Survivor-Centered Legal Approach
Sexual assault and abuse cases demand more than legal skill—they require sensitivity, patience, and respect. At The Law Office of Jesse D. Capell, PLLC, we:
- Prioritize your safety and comfort in every conversation
- Move at a pace that respects your healing process, not just court deadlines
- Explain your options in plain language, so you stay in control of decisions
- Work to minimize unnecessary contact with the perpetrator and limit retraumatization
- Handle communications with institutions, insurers, and defense attorneys so you don’t have to
We can coordinate with your therapist or support network if you wish, and we are prepared to go to trial when needed, while always being honest about the emotional demands of that process.
Sexual Assault & CVA Civil Lawsuit FAQ
Can I sue my attacker in civil court in New York?
Yes. Separate from any criminal case, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries and losses. The outcome of a criminal case doesn’t control your civil rights—some survivors win civil cases even when there was no criminal conviction, and vice versa.
What is the statute of limitations for sexual assault civil cases in NY?
It depends on your age at the time, when you discovered your injuries, and whether special laws like the Child Victims Act or Adult Survivors Act apply. Because these deadlines are complex and have changed in recent years, the safest step is to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible—even if the assault happened long ago.
Can I sue an institution (school, employer, church) for sexual abuse?
Often, yes. If an institution failed to screen, supervise, respond to complaints, or address known risks, it may be legally responsible for allowing abuse to occur. We investigate hiring practices, prior complaints, security policies, and how the organization reacted when concerns were raised.
Will my identity be public if I bring a sexual assault lawsuit?
Court filings are generally public, but there are situations where survivors can proceed under “Jane Doe” or “John Doe,” or with other privacy protections. Whether that’s possible depends on your circumstances and the court. We can discuss confidentiality options, including how your name may appear in filings and what can be done to protect your privacy as much as the law allows.
Do I have to see or face my abuser in court?
Many cases resolve through settlement before trial, so survivors never have to testify in a courtroom. If a trial is necessary, we prepare you carefully and use tools like depositions and protective orders when available to reduce direct contact. You will never be asked to go through that process alone.
Do I need a lawyer, or can I handle a civil sexual assault claim myself?
Because these cases involve sensitive facts, complex deadlines, and powerful institutions, having an experienced attorney is extremely important. A lawyer can protect your privacy, handle communication with the other side, and make sure your case is filed correctly and on time.
Related Personal Injury & Abuse Cases
Sexual assault and abuse cases often intersect with other practice areas at the firm:
1. Personal Injury
View an overview of the firm’s injury and negligence practice, including sexual assault and nursing home cases.
2. Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Cases involving physical, emotional, or sexual abuse of elders in care facilities.
3. Elder Abuse Cases
Civil lawsuits for physical, emotional, financial, or sexual abuse of seniors, whether in facilities or other settings.
Contact Us
Free, Confidential Consultation for Survivors
If you’re considering a civil sexual assault or abuse claim—for yourself or on behalf of a child—you don’t have to figure everything out alone. The Law Office of Jesse D. Capell, PLLC offers confidential, no-obligation consultations to help you understand your rights, possible CVA or other claims, and what a path forward might look like.
We will listen to your story, explain your options in plain language, and never pressure you into any decision you’re not ready to make.