Survivor Support
Compensation for Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Healing from abuse can be costly and time-consuming. If you experienced sexual abuse, you could be entitled to compensation from your abuser as well as any institution that enabled them. This critical financial support helps survivors access the resources they need to build back their lives — from covering mental healthcare to lost wages to housing and more.
While nothing can undo the past, many people find that holding perpetrators accountable gives them back their agency and power. Knowing that you’re making the world a little safer by holding institutions accountable can be a meaningful part of healing.
What Compensation Can Cover
- Mental health care and therapy
- Physical therapy and medical treatment
- Lost wages due to the effects of abuse
- Housing and living expenses
- Childcare costs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium and enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages in cases involving institutional cover-up
How Civil Lawsuits Help
While the criminal justice system focuses on punishment of the individual perpetrator, civil lawsuits allow survivors to hold both individuals AND institutions financially accountable. Religious organizations, schools, hospitals, sports organizations, and other groups can all be held liable when they enable or cover up abuse.
Civil cases have a lower burden of proof than criminal cases — even if criminal charges were not filed or a criminal case was lost, a civil case can still succeed.
Financial Resources Beyond Litigation
- Crime victims compensation funds (available in most states)
- The Polaris Project Resilience Fund
- The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) resources
- Nonprofit financial assistance programs
- Mental health sliding-scale fee programs
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Whether you are ready to take legal action or simply want to understand your options, Constant Legal Group is here to help. Your consultation is free, confidential, and without obligation.