Sexual Abuse Lawyers

Are You a Survivor of Sexual Abuse? Our Expert Attorneys Are Here For You.

Survivors of sexual abuse deserve justice. At DLG, we believe in providing you with expert legal representation that is compassionate, discreet, and offers all-encompassing support. From the moment you reach out to DLG to the moment we secure justice on your behalf, our team of Sexual Abuse Justice Experts (SAJE) is available to you 24/7. With DLG, you don’t simply have a single attorney fighting in your corner, you have a team of experts determined to obtain justice for you.

Our Sexual Abuse Division was established to ensure survivors receive four tiers of legal representation and support. We know how difficult it can be to make the decision to come forward and disclose an instance of sexual abuse, and we want to be sure you feel fully supported throughout the legal process. When you choose DLG, you’re not only choosing to be represented by an expert sexual abuse law firm, you’re choosing to be represented by our SAJE Team.

The Four Tiers of DLG SAJE Team Representation:

1. Case Lead: Samuel Dordulian, former Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County
2. Investigation Lead: Detective Moses Castillo, former 30-year LAPD sex crimes unit leader in the city’s elite Juvenile Division for Abused Children
3. Support Lead: A licensed clinical therapist with 15 years of experience helping sexual abuse survivors
4. Advocate Lead: Two in-house, licensed, and nationally accredited victim advocates who have decades of experience passionately advocating on behalf of survivors

What Is Sexual Abuse?

The American Psychological Association defines sexual abuse as unwanted sexual activity involving the use of force by a perpetrator. Such acts can include making threats or taking advantage of victims who are unable to give consent. In the majority of cases, perpetrators of sexual abuse know their victims. Immediate reactions to sexual abuse can include overwhelming feelings of shock, fear, or disbelief. Long-term symptoms of sexual abuse can include anxiety, fear, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

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Following a sex crime, a survivor may wait months or even years to disclose the incident and seek legal assistance. The age at which the crime occurred can also affect if or when a survivor chooses to disclose the incident to a confidant, or report it to authorities. Studies indicate that only one-third of sexual abuse survivors disclose as children, while one-third ultimately choose to never disclose. The average age to disclose childhood sexual abuse is reportedly 52.

Regardless of how or when you were impacted by sexual abuse, DLG is here for you whenever you’re ready to take that first step towards finally obtaining justice.

Statutes of Limitations

While it may seem illogical and unjust, sex crimes fall under statutes of limitations, meaning that survivors have a limited time to report the incident, file a claim, and obtain justice. Given the immensely personal decision involved in choosing to come forward and disclose an instance of sexual abuse, some survivors are faced with the unfortunate reality of being unable to pursue legal recourse against an abuser if the statute of limitations has expired.

In California, multiple statutes of limitations exist that apply to various types of sexual abuse crimes (and can vary depending on when the crime occurred). Additionally, the statute of limitations for sexual abuse crimes differs depending on if the survivor was an adult or child at the time of the incident.

For adults (where the sexual abuse occurred after the survivor’s 18th birthday), the statute of limitations for filing a civil lawsuit seeking financial damages is:

• Within 10 years of the actual crime – Survivors have 10 years from the date of the last act (or attempted act) of abuse to file a claim.
• Within three years of discovery – Survivors have three years from the date of discovering an injury resulting from an act (or attempted act) of sexual abuse.

This particular statute applies to adult sexual abuse crimes occurring after January 1, 2019. For cases that took place prior to 2019, survivors may have only three years (as opposed to 10) from the date the last act occurred to file a claim. Given the complexity of the laws and applicable statutes, it’s advisable for survivors to seek legal advice as soon as possible following an incident.

Our Sexual Assault Justice Experts are here to help survivors secure justice. Contact our top-rated attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.

For childhood sexual abuse cases, as of January 1, 2020 survivors have until their 40th birthday (or within five years of discovery of an injury resulting from abuse), to file a civil lawsuit. Additionally, a new law that is temporarily in effect removes the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse cases, allowing any survivor – including those over 40 who were abused decades ago – to file a civil lawsuit for a limited time.

The law, known as California Assembly Bill 218 (AB 218), is an unprecedented opportunity for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to obtain justice, regardless of how long ago the crime occurred.

What Is California AB 218 and How Does it Impact My Sexual Abuse Case?

In 2019, California passed landmark legislation known as California Assembly Bill 218 (AB 218) to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse secure much-needed justice against their abusers. As of January 1, 2020, the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse cases is temporarily removed under what’s known as the law’s three-year “lookback window.” Under AB 218, survivors of childhood sexual abuse are eligible to recover financial damages via a civil lawsuit, regardless of when the crime originally occurred.

AB 218’s lookback window is a limited opportunity for justice, however. The lookback window only extends through the end of 2022, meaning that on January 1, 2023 the statute of limitations resumes. Once the statute of limitations resumes, survivors who did not file a claim prior to 2023 may forfeit their opportunity to pursue justice via a civil lawsuit for financial damages.

Additionally, during the limited lookback window period, AB 218 offers survivors of childhood sexual abuse an opportunity to secure what’s known as treble damages in cases where a cover-up on the part of an individual or institution took place and can be proven. If you are a survivor of childhood sexual abuse amid a cover-up, you could potentially be awarded triple financial damages for your civil lawsuit. The treble damages clause within AB 218 is designed to severely punish individuals and institutions guilty of systemic childhood sexual abuse.

The DLG Advantage for Sexual Abuse Survivors

DLG was founded by former Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County, Samuel Dordulian. While serving as a sex crimes prosecutor for the district attorney’s office, Dordulian successfully obtained life sentences against countless heinous offenders, removing them from our streets forever. As a sex crimes prosecutor, Dordulian developed a passion for helping survivors of sexual abuse secure the justice they deserve. When he founded DLG, Dordulian established a unique type of practice that puts the needs of survivors first through four-tiered representation by a team of Sexual Abuse Justice Experts.

DLG provides every survivor with the full support of our SAJE Team. It’s what makes DLG the most trusted, top-rated choice for sexual abuse survivors in Los Angeles and throughout California. With DLG’s SAJE Team, survivors are provided with a unique type of representation and support that can’t be found elsewhere. Our experience, dedication, and 99% success rate in sexual abuse cases is what makes us the best choice for survivors wishing to pursue a civil lawsuit. Contact us today to begin your journey towards justice. Whatever your situation, we’re here for you, available 24/7 to offer free legal advice in a supportive and discreet environment. Call us today at 800-880-7777 to learn more about why DLG is the #1 firm survivors choose when seeking justice for their sexual abuse case.

Sexual Abuse/Assault Cases

Client Review

“They were very professional and fought hard for me. Two seperate cases and two seperate wins. Would highly recommend Dordulian Law Group and would hire them again if needed in the future.”
Lillie J.