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Sexual Assault and Gender-Based Violence

Using Civil Litigation to Hold Individuals and Institutions Accountable for Sexual Abuse and Gender-Based Violence

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Home › Sexual Violence, Title IX, and Victims’ Rights › Sexual Assault and Gender-Based Violence

At Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, we have extensive expertise representing survivors of sexual assault, sexual abuse, or rape. Our attorneys work with survivors nationwide to hold the individual who committed the abuse accountable in the civil court system. Institutions that fail to protect a person from sexual abuse – for example, by failing to report suspected sexual misconduct – can also be held accountable through litigation.
Sexual misconduct can take place in nearly any environment, such as:

  • Colleges and universities
  • Religious institutions
  • Workplaces
  • Health care facilities
  • Apartment complexes
  • Athletic teams
  • Government agencies

In every sexual abuse claim we handle, the survivor comes first. We prioritize our clients’ mental and emotional well-being at every step. We work to minimize the impact of the legal system on our clients and work creatively to achieve results that help our clients move forward and heal.

Damages Available in Civil Sexual Abuse Claims

The criminal justice system is renowned for failing to prosecute sexual assault and other sex crimes successfully. However, through a civil claim, victims have the opportunity to achieve some measure of justice and may recover damages such as:

  • Hospital bills
  • Therapy costs
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Our Work

While some of our cases result in litigation, many of our cases settle through confidential processes. Our public cases include:

Speak with A Sexual Assault Lawyer Today

To learn more about pursuing civil litigation, please get in touch with us at one of our law offices. You can call 646-679-1364, send us an email, or use our online contact form.

At Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, we have extensive expertise representing survivors of sexual assault, sexual abuse, or rape. Our attorneys work with survivors nationwide to hold the individual who committed the abuse accountable in the civil court system. Institutions that fail to protect a person from sexual abuse – for example, by failing to report suspected sexual misconduct – can also be held accountable through litigation.
Sexual misconduct can take place in nearly any environment, such as:

  • Colleges and universities
  • Religious institutions
  • Workplaces
  • Health care facilities
  • Apartment complexes
  • Athletic teams
  • Government agencies

In every sexual abuse claim we handle, the survivor comes first. We prioritize our clients’ mental and emotional well-being at every step. We work to minimize the impact of the legal system on our clients and work creatively to achieve results that help our clients move forward and heal.

Damages Available in Civil Sexual Abuse Claims

The criminal justice system is renowned for failing to prosecute sexual assault and other sex crimes successfully. However, through a civil claim, victims have the opportunity to achieve some measure of justice and may recover damages such as:

  • Hospital bills
  • Therapy costs
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Our Work

While some of our cases result in litigation, many of our cases settle through confidential processes. Our public cases include:

Speak with A Sexual Assault Lawyer Today

To learn more about pursuing civil litigation, please get in touch with us at one of our law offices. You can call 646-679-1364, send us an email, or use our online contact form.

Submit a Contact Request Form Today

Sexual Violence, Title IX, and Victims’ Rights

Client Testimonials

“They have given me some closure for the first time in over five years.”

– Former Client

“Forever indebted to them”

– Suzy Reingold

“This Firm has proven again and again it has the necessary talent, experience, intelligence, creativity, and resources to represent workers and whistleblowers successfully against even the country’s largest employers.”

– Lorene Schaefer, Esq., President of WinWinResolve.com and Former GC of GE Transportation

“Collectively the SHSM team represented the highest level of professionalism, integrity, and passionate care for justice that I have ever witnessed in my career.”

– David Chen, a Former Client

“Everyone I interacted with at Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight was not only accomplished and brilliant at what they do, but also good people with good values.”

– Former Client

“Each member of the Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight team shows ultimate professionalism, mastery of the law, unwavering dedication to the clients and passion for the cause. And most important to me, kindness and compassion.”

– Former Client Donna Kassman, Lead Plaintiff in KPMG Gender Discrimination Class Action

As an attorney on the defense side, I can say there is simply no one better than Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight. That view is shared by defense attorneys around the country. They outwork the other side, master the law and facts, and achieve great results.”

– Maria Hallas, Attorney and Journalist

“Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight have taken the pharmaceutical industry by storm. They are shattering the glass ceiling imposed on women by pharma’s old boys’ club.”

– Jacqueline Pena, Lead Plaintiff in The Class Action Wellens v. Daiichi

“I deeply appreciated not only [the Firm’s] astute legal counsel, but also the understanding and human touch they used at every turn. . . . As a lawyer myself, I felt privileged to have gotten the chance to work with them.”

– Female Law Partner

“I contacted SHSM because it has a stellar reputation as a champion for workplace gender equality. That reputation is well-deserved; SHSM is a deft negotiator, a voracious advocate, and – most importantly – knows how to get results.”

– Former Client and VP of a Major Technology Company

“The team at Sanford Heisler consists of great people who are not only very skillful in the legal domain, but are also wonderful human beings with the highest degree of empathy for their clients.”

– A Female Director in a Tech Company

“Thank you again to you all for representing me on this matter. You are all phenomenal. I am very grateful for your knowledge, professionalism and compassion.”

– Big Law Attorney

“The result was extraordinary.”

– Marc Thomas, Attorney and Former CEO of GE Aviation Materials

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