Sexual Abuse and Assault
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Sexual abuse and assault are inexcusable
Being a victim of sexual abuse and/or sexual assault is traumatic, emotionally overwhelming and debilitating. What’s worse is that abusers make their victims fearful to speak out and deny their victim’s reality altogether. Over time, these feelings may drown a victim into depression or other serious health disorders. The psychological trauma an abuser subjects its victim to can last lifetimes and rob a victim of life and freedom.
If you are a victim of sexual abuse and/or sexual assault, it’s important to understand that you are not to blame. It is not your fault, and you did nothing wrong. Oftentimes, your abuser is knowingly using his or her position of power to intimidate you into engaging in otherwise unwanted sexual activity. More often than not, the abuser is someone you know, such as: a pastor, a religious figure, a schoolteacher, a nanny, a caregiver, a doctor, a mentor, a coach, an unsupervised classmate, an idol, a counselor or other individual. Most egregious, these institutions that employ or supervise these abusers put the abuser first by attempting to cover up the abuse, deny it, and silence you, leaving you with a lifetime of psychological and emotional trauma as well as health issues and disorders. These crippling emotional scars may take years to heal, and victims are entitled to recovering compensation needed for services that help them heal from the trauma.
As a sexual assault lawyer in California, Nabati Law puts victims of sexual abuse and assault first by providing a safe space for a victim, survivor, or their family to come forward and explore their legal options confidentially.
If you are a victim of sexual assault, abuse, or harassment, you do not need to go through the pain alone. Nabati Law is here to stand by you and give you a powerful voice in your pursuit to hold your abuser accountable. We recognize the weight a victim of abuse carries, and Nabati Law provides support and resources for clients navigating their brave choice to come forward.
Nobody, but Nabati. Call us now
If you’re dealing with sexual assault or abuse in California, you can contact Nabati Law at (323) 306-5747 for a confidential consultation to discuss your options.
As a sexual assault lawyer in California, Nabati Law helps victims of sexual abuse and their families explore and pursue their legal rights and seek justice and compensation from the institutions that failed to protect them, including churches, summer camps, schools, religious organizations, youth recreation organizations, daycare centers, nursing homes, sports organizations, fitness centers, and more.
As a sexual assault attorney in Los Angeles and throughout California, Nabati Law represents victims of sexual assault and victims of sexual abuse, whether they are still minors or are now well into adulthood, in their civil claims against their abusers and the institutions that failed to protect them. We help recover monetary damages including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages or loss of future earning potential
- Your pain and suffering
- Your loss of companionship with your partner
- Physical injuries
- Emotional trauma
- Psychological effects
- Tangible financial impact
To understand what these categories can look like in a real case, see our blog on what damages sexual assault victims can recover in a civil lawsuit.
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault does not have one definition. Sexual assault includes any sexual act by another without your consent. Sexual assault includes, but is not limited to:
- rape,
- threats,
- sodomy,
- attempted rape,
- fondling or unwanted sexual touching,
- forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, such as oral sex or penetrating the perpetrator’s body,
- penetration of the victim’s body, also known as rape.
And yes, you could be raped or assaulted by a spouse, intimate partner, acquaintance, or stranger. If you did not consent to the sexual touching, then you have been sexually assaulted.
Consent is invalid in instances where you complied with the unwanted sexual act because you were:
- threatened,
- forced against your will,
- physically unable to grant consent because you were sleeping, unconscious, unaware, disabled, inebriated, or drugged,
- mentally unable to give consent,
- under the age of 17,
- under the age of 18, and the abuser was 18 or older.
Child Sexual Abuse
Unfortunately, our children and youth are the most vulnerable and innocent targets of sexual assault and abuse. It’s unfathomable that sexual assault and abuse exists at all, let alone amongst children. Protecting your child against his or her abuser by filing a civil lawsuit is always an option. Nabati Law is here to guide you and your family through the civil process and hold your child’s abuser accountable.
Childhood sexual abuse is a form of child abuse. All 50 states agree, and have laws recognizing that a child cannot consent to any form of sexual activity, period. Therefore, a perpetrator engaging in sexual activity with a child is not only committing a crime but is sexually abusing the child. The abuse will emotionally scar and alter the child’s life indefinitely. Child sexual abuse is not only physical, but also includes:
- Exposing oneself to a minor (indecent exposure)
- Fondling a minor
- Intercourse
- Masturbation in the presence of a minor or forcing the minor to masturbate
- Obscene phone calls, text messages, or digital interaction
- Producing, owning, or sharing pornographic images or movies of children
- Sex of any kind with a minor, including vaginal, oral, or anal
- Sex trafficking
- Any other sexual conduct that is harmful to a child’s mental, emotional, or physical welfare
- Forcible rape
- Psychological pressure or coercion
We Must Protect Our Children
We have a duty to protect our children from sexual abuse. Although abusers can be manipulative and silence children from reporting the abuse, as parents and adults we must be stronger than the abuser and break the silence. Creating a dialogue with children is imperative to keeping them safe.
Look for the Warning Signs
First, we must spot the warning signs. There are both physical and behavioral signs victims of childhood sexual abuse endure.
Physical signs include:
- Bleeding, bruises, or swelling in the genital area
- Bloody, torn, or stained underclothes
- Difficulty walking or sitting
- Frequent urinary or yeast infections
- Pain, itching, or burning in the genital area
Behavioral signs include:
- Changes in hygiene, such as refusing to bathe or bathing excessively
- Develops phobias
- Exhibits signs of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder
- Express suicidal thoughts, especially in adolescents
- Has trouble in school, such as absences or drops in grades
- Inappropriate sexual knowledge or behaviors
- Nightmares or bed-wetting
- Overly protective and concerned for siblings, or assumes a caretaker role
- Returns to regressive behaviors, such as thumb sucking
- Runs away from home or school
- Self-harms
- Shrinks away or seems threatened by physical contact
The Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse Can Last a Lifetime
Childhood sexual abuse has a lasting and life-altering effect on children, especially if it goes unnoticed and untreated. Aside from the fact that their most formative, innocent and impressionable years have been unjustifiably robbed from them, child victims experience a lifetime of trauma and pain. The illnesses and disabilities sustained from the abuse sometimes require a lifetime of treatment and therapy. Even with all the treatment in the world, abused survivors are unable to fully experience a peaceful and normal life. Survivors may spend a lifetime treating conditions related to their abuse, and the abuser must be held responsible for their actions and these expenses. It is impossible to undo the abuse that took place, but it is possible and imperative that victims receive the compensation they deserve to treat the psychological and psychiatric care needed to aid in recovering from the abuse.
Survivors of sexual abuse suffer from a variety of mental and physical illnesses in varying degrees. Most commonly, survivors experience depression, but also experience:
- Anxiety disorders
- Eating disorders
- Personality disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorders
- Relationship and intimacy issues
- Somatic disorders
- Gastrointestinal health issues
- Gynecologic or reproductive health issues
- Chronic pain
- Cardiopulmonary symptoms
- Obesity
- Increased drug use and/or abuse
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Sexual Assault Lawsuit in California?
Coming forward with your story of sexual abuse or assault can be difficult and scary. You may decline to come forward for a variety of reasons, including embarrassment, shame, emotional trauma, or fear of no recourse. Despite your ultimate decision, you must preserve your rights before the statute of limitations expires. California law recognizes that survivors of sexual assault and abuse do not always come forward immediately, and it affords victims the following time frames to bring their civil claims.
The standard adult deadline. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 340.16, an adult survivor of sexual assault generally has 10 years from the date of the assault, or three years from the date they discover an injury or illness connected to the assault, whichever is later, to file a civil claim.
The AB 250 revival window (2026 to 2027). In October 2025, Governor Newsom signed AB 250, the Justice for Survivors of Sexual Assault Act, amending CCP § 340.16 again. Effective January 1, 2026, it opened a new two-year revival window, running through December 31, 2027, for adult survivors whose claims are otherwise barred only because the prior deadline had already expired. To qualify, the assault must have occurred on or after your 18th birthday, and the claim must be brought against a perpetrator, or against a private entity that engaged in a cover-up of the abuse. AB 250 does not reach public entities. It also revives certain related claims, such as sexual harassment and wrongful termination, tied to the same underlying conduct, which is why we encourage anyone with a related workplace claim to also review our workplace sexual harassment page. This window will not stay open indefinitely. If a claim you once believed was time-barred involves an institution that concealed or ignored what happened, it is worth having it reviewed now, while the window remains open.
Childhood sexual abuse. If you are an adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse, you generally must file a claim by the time you turn 40, or within five years of discovering the abuse, whichever is later.
Institutional cover-up claims. When an institution’s own conduct, not just the abuser’s, caused you harm, Civil Code § 52.4(e) is worth understanding. It clarifies that an entity is not automatically liable simply because of its status as an employer; liability instead depends on what the institution itself did, such as personally committing an act of gender violence, or, under the broader case law and statutes AB 250 revives, concealing known abuse. This is part of why an institutional cover up lawsuit is built around documentation: internal reports, personnel files, prior complaints, and any evidence that the institution knew and chose silence. If you believe a school, employer, religious organization, or care facility knew about an abuser and protected them instead of you, that is the core of an adult survivor lawsuit in California under this revived framework, and it is exactly the kind of case a sexual assault lawyer in California should review closely before any deadline is assumed to have passed.
For a deeper look at how these civil claims work in practice, read our blog on whether you can sue for sexual assault in California.
Nabati Law California Sexual Abuse Lawyers Who Will Fight for You
If you have learned that your child or a loved one is a victim or survivor of sexual abuse, or if you are a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, you are justifiably feeling anger, helplessness and trauma. Whether the sexual abuse was suffered at a church, school, summer camp, youth recreation program, religious organization, or other institution, Nabati Law may be able to help recover compensation for the pain and physical and psychological issues caused by the abuser and its institution.
Nabati Law is ready and equipped to help explore all legal options confidentially and will tirelessly seek the justice and compensation deserved. Your child deserves the brightest future, and we are ready to help make that happen. Nabati Law is here for all abused victims and will provide a free, confidential, no-risk case evaluation.
1. Prioritize your own safety
Experiencing sexual assault or sexual abuse leaves victims shocked, numb, or confused. These overwhelming feelings put an individual in fight or flight mode. To reorient oneself, a victim should use a healthy coping mechanism that helps them feel safe and comfortable. For example, a victim should consider:
- Calling a close family member or trusted friend and discussing the incident or abuse
- Asking a trusted family member or friend to stay over so the victim is not alone
- Cutting all communication with the abuser: block the abuser’s number, delete the abuser from all social media channels, remove the abuser from any platform that could help them contact or locate the victim
- Finding safety at home, in your bed, or somewhere that feels like a safe haven
2. In case of an emergency, sexual assault or rape, call 911 immediately and report the incident
- Los Angeles Rape and Battery 24-hour Crisis Lines
- Central Los Angeles: (213) 626-3393
- South Los Angeles: (310) 392-8381
- West San Gabriel Valley: (626) 793-3385
3. Consider your medical options
Although you are experiencing so many emotions, your health comes first. You must consider contacting and consulting a medical provider for your physical, psychological and emotional needs. Regardless of whether you decide to go to a hospital or rape center following your sexual assault, you should consider going to a provider as soon as possible.
A health care provider can provide you with a rape kit, a sexual assault forensic exam used to collect DNA, blood samples and other evidence. Additionally, a doctor can perform a physical checkup to determine the extent and treatment of any bodily injuries you may have sustained. If you have decided that you are not ready to immediately file a police report, some centers can freeze the evidence they collect and store it for later.
Deciding to see a medical professional following a sexual assault or abuse incident can be very scary, but many providers are only able to proceed with a rape kit process and collect forensic evidence within a limited window. In California, that window is generally 96 hours, but you should still consider getting one sooner rather than later to preserve as much evidence as possible.
If you do decide to get a medical exam, you are encouraged to avoid showering, combing your hair, using the restroom, or changing your clothes beforehand. This helps ensure accurate evidence is collected during the examination.
4. Reach out for help and create an army of support
Many survivors are reluctant to ask for help or speak to someone about their sexual assault or abuse. It is understandable. Doing so can leave you feeling vulnerable. However, repressing your feelings can make your situation worse and isolate you more. There are people who want to help you and be there for you. It is important to connect with trustworthy people who will stand beside you and support you during your healing.
If you are looking for a confidential, live online chat forum that provides 24/7 sexual assault services, call the RAINN Hotline: (800) 656-4673, or visit their website. The operators are trained and ready to listen to you, connect you with resources, and explain how to report the crime.
5. Process your traumatic experience with mental health experts
It is easy to want to avoid confronting the sexual abuse or sexual assault you endured. Avoiding the pain will not make it go away. Learning healthy coping habits is important to your healing, whether that means journaling, walking or meditating, exercising, or anything else that gives you the space to process your trauma.
You may be reluctant to pursue therapy because it may seem exhausting to have to share and repeat what happened, but survivors often benefit from and need therapy. A clinical therapist trained to address sexual trauma may make a real difference in your recovery, providing a safe space to speak about your sexual abuse or sexual assault and decrease the negative emotional consequences that follow.
6. Consider your legal options
Apart from being sexually assaulted or sexually abused, the scariest thing can be reporting your abuser. Often, survivors fail to report their abuse because they are afraid no one will believe them, or afraid of the consequences of reporting someone they know.
Additionally, survivors sometimes decide against filing a report to avoid reliving the traumatic event, providing details, speaking with law enforcement, needing to testify in court, or confronting their abuser.
However, pursuing legal action against your abuser helps you reclaim your power. Your abuser tried to take your voice away by assaulting you; the law returns that power to you by giving you options. You can file a police report and pursue criminal prosecution. You can also seek justice in civil court by pursuing a case against your abuser, and, where an institution covered up the abuse, against that institution as well.
Whatever method of justice is most empowering to you is the right course of action. As a California plaintiff’s firm, Nabati Law helps victims of sexual assault and sexual abuse pursue civil claims against those responsible for their abuse and harm. If you have been a victim of sexual abuse or sexual assault, you can contact Nabati Law to discuss your situation and explore whether the AB 250 revival window applies to your case.
7. Resume control over your life
After you have experienced sexual assault or sexual abuse, resuming your daily activities and life can be exhausting and daunting. It may take time to feel like yourself again. But do not let your sexual abuse or assault define you. A sexual assault lawyer in California can help you get the compensation you deserve and need to properly cope with your trauma and regain control over your life. You deserve to resume the activities you enjoyed before your assault or abuse, and to fulfill your goals.
Additional services Nabati Law offers for victims of sexual assault, harassment and misconduct
Nabati Law is equipped to handle a wide range of claims involving abuse, harassment, misconduct and bullying.
For example, Nabati Law handles sexual misconduct cases involving instances of unwanted sexual activity like sexual harassment in the workplace, instances where a victim is coerced to engage in a sexual situation out of fear of being fired, or instances where a victim is forced or coerced to submit to the sexual advances of a person in authority out of fear of being punished, for example by being given a failing grade. Michelle Nabati, Esq. brings a background in employment and civil sexual abuse litigation to these cases; you can read more about her background on her attorney profile.
For general guidance on the CRD complaint process that governs related workplace claims, see the California Civil Rights Department.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
