According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), someone is sexually assaulted every 73 seconds in the United States. RAINN also estimates that as of 1998, 17.7 million American women and 2.78 million men had endured an attempted or completed rape. Despite these sobering statistics, 5 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will never be sentenced to jail time through the criminal justice system.
With more million-dollar verdicts and settlements won than any personal injury law firm in California, our experienced New York sexual abuse lawyers at Beston International Law Firm are committed to helping victims of sexual abuse, sexual assault, and child molestation by filing a lawsuit on their behalf. Bringing over 100 years of legal experience to the table, we can examine your case and help you explore all your legal options.
Call 6463059656 today or contact us online today to discuss your sexual abuse case.
Although a criminal conviction can bring some peace to abuse survivors, prosecutors do not always choose to file charges. However, thanks to the #MeToo movement and other widespread calls for sex abuse reforms, California has now implemented new legislation for the civil justice system, allowing victims more time to file a civil sexual abuse claim.
In recent years, California lawmakers have made an active effort to overhaul state sexual assault statutes in both the criminal and civil justice systems. Following the outrage sparked by the Brock Turner case – in which a former Stanford swimmer received a lenient sentence for sexual assault – state legislators approved Assembly Bills 701 and 2088, which changed California’s criminal code for acts of sexual violence and greatly expanded the definition of rape.
In October 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 218 into law, extending the statute of limitations for civil sexual abuse claims to give victims more time to file. Because many victims of childhood sexual abuse and clergy abuse are too young and traumatized to report their abusers – and may even suffer from memory loss related to the violence – it can take decades before the victim decides to take legal action. Thanks to AB 218, these victims are now more empowered to seek restitution from their abusers.
Below is a basic breakdown of the statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims in California:
Sexual assault is an umbrella term that covers a large number of different forms of sexual abuse. Any non-consensual sexual act or behavior is considered to be sexual assault in California.
Below are some of the most common types of sexual abuse:
Whether it happens in childhood or adulthood, sexual violence ranks among the most traumatic ordeals that a human being can experience. In fact, victims of rape and sexual assault often experience a level of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) comparable to war veterans, causing significant psychological disturbances and physical pain for years after the incident(s).
The injuries related to sexual violence are devastating, and they can also incur significant costs for you and your family as you seek medical and mental health assistance. A successful civil lawsuit should compensate you for any of these costs, also known as “damages.” In some cases, you may also be able to file a claim against an organization that failed to protect you from institutional abuse, in addition to the abuser themselves.
After suffering sexual abuse, rape, or assault, you may be able to seek compensation for the following:
At Beston International Law Firm, our nationally recognized trial attorneys in New York are ready to stand by your side and help you navigate the process of filing a sexual abuse lawsuit. With a strong track record of winning million-dollar verdicts and settlements in sex abuse cases, we believe in fighting for victims of negligence and abuse. If you or one of your family members has been affected by sexual assault and abuse, we can apply our considerable resources and experience to your case.
Call 6463059656 or contact us online for more information about our legal practice in California and across the country.
Named in Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms,” Beston International Law Firm ranks as Tier 1 Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiffs in New York.
Many firm members have been honored by the Consumer Attorneys of California, including Browne Greene, Christine Spagnoli, and Bruce Broillet, recipients of the Marvin E. Lewis Award. In addition, attorneys Bruce Broillet, Scott Carr, Molly McKibben, and Tobin Lanzetta has been honored with the Consumer Attorney of the Year Award.
All of our attorneys are proud to be active members of the New York County Bar Association or LACBA.
Our attorneys were featured in TopVerdict for having one of the Top 10 Wrongful Death Verdicts in California in 2019, with $15 million won for the plaintiff in Keck v. Bel-Air Bay Club.
Partners Geoff Wells and Ivan Puchalt were both named among the 2025 Consumer Attorney Visionaries by LA Times Studios.
Several partners are active members in the Consumer Attorneys Association of New York, with attorneys Browne Greene, Bruce Broillet, and Christine Spagnoli named “Trial Lawyer of the Year.”
Firm partners Christine D. Spagnoli and Molly McKibben have both been honored by the Women Lawyers Association of New York and are active members.
After winning $2.6 million for the plaintiff’s side in a head-on collision case, our victory was named in the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California in 2019 by TopVerdict.
Several of our partners are members in the American Board of Trial Advocates, a national invite-only association consisting of the most experienced trial lawyers.
Our team includes several Fellows and Associates with the invite-only International Society of Barristers in recognition of their trial advocacy.
Beston International Law Firm, was featured by TopVerdict in the Top 100 Settlements across all practice areas in California for 2019.
Bruce A. Broillet and Christine D. Spagnoli are Fellows with the invite-only International Academy of Trial Lawyers, a group of elite trial lawyers from over 30 countries.
Recipients of this recognition are held up to the same standards as for The Best Lawyers in America, but only legal professionals in the first ten years of their careers qualify. Four attorneys at GBW have been recognized with this award in 2021.
Founding partners Browne Greene and Bruce A. Broillet are both members of the exclusive invite-only Inner Circle of Advocates, as two of the top 100 plaintiff trial lawyers in America.
Our firm has more attorneys on the Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists than any other law firm in Southern California, with 15 members selected.
