Sexual Violence, Title IX, and Victims’ Rights
Nationwide Advocacy for Survivors of Sexual Misconduct, Gender-Based Violence, Child Sexual Abuse, Other Criminal Conduct, and Title IX Violations
If you experience sexual assault, child sexual abuse, sex or labor trafficking, other types of criminal conduct, or a Title IX violation, you can seek justice in the civil court system. Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight has extensive experience holding powerful individuals and institutions accountable. We have brought claims against schools, universities, religious institutions, corporations, government entities, property owners, and individuals. With our victim-centered approach to cases, our experienced attorneys are at the forefront of these issues.
Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight‘s Sexual Violence, Title IX and Victims’ Rights Practice Group, led by Co-Chairs Christine Dunn and Carolin Guentert, has extensive experience advocating for survivors of sexual abuse and other types of criminal misconduct. Our attorneys provide clients with exceptional legal representation in their efforts to find some measure of justice. If you need assistance, reach out to our firm today.
Contact us online or call 646-512-8609 to discuss your potential civil claims.
We Can Help in the Following Types of Cases:
Sexual Assault and Gender-Based Violence
Our law firm has an intentional focus on civil claims brought by survivors of sexual assault, abuse and gender-based violence, including survivors who are speaking out as part of the #MeToo movement. Sexual misconduct can occur in a variety of contexts, including in schools or colleges, at work, at home, in sports, in youth organizations, in healthcare, and in public institutions. We have the resources, insight, and experience required to litigate these cases and obtain compensation for our clients. We strive to guide our clients through the legal process in a trauma-informed and empathetic manner.
Learn more about sexual assault and gender-based violence
Title IX and Discrimination in Education
Title IX is the federal law that prohibits gender-based discrimination in schools and universities that receive federal funding. Many states also have laws that protect students in K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. Our law firm has extensive experience representing students who suffered discrimination or retaliation at their educational institution.
Learn more about Title IX and discrimination in education
Child Sexual Abuse
Our attorneys routinely pursue cases against institutions, such as schools, daycares, and religious institutions that fail to keep children safe from sexual abuse. Any person or organization charged with the duty to protect minors can be held liable when an employee or volunteer has sexual contact with a child. Because many states have extended deadlines for child sex abuse cases, you may have a viable claim even if the crime occurred long ago.
Learn more about Maryland’s new lookback window law, which eliminates time limits for filing childhood sexual abuse claims.
Learn more about child sexual abuse
Sex and Labor Trafficking
The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (“TVPRA”) permits trafficking survivors to file civil claims not only against the individuals and enterprises that trafficked them but also against anyone who benefited from the trafficking scheme. The TVPRA can even apply to conduct that occurred outside of the United States and has a long statute of limitations (10 years). Our attorneys can assist individuals who experienced forced labor or were coerced into sex work in their civil claims for compensation.
Learn more about sex and labor trafficking
Crimes Occurring On Property
Anyone who is the victim of a crime at a shopping center, apartment building, hotel, bank, ATM or other business may have a claim against the property owner. We hold property owners liable when they fail to take sufficient steps to protect guests or patrons from suffering harm, including from criminal acts. Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight has pursued cases against business owners on behalf of clients who experienced sexual assault, physical assault, or the wrongful death of a loved one.
Learn more about crimes occurring on property
Crimes Committed By Government Actors and Police
An individual who is the victim of a crime committed by a government actor – which could include members of the police, social services, school districts, prisons, and government offices – has the right to bring a civil rights claim for compensation. Police brutality, sexual assaults, and excessive force are all examples of civil rights violations. These cases are litigated under Section 1983, a broad federal law that gives individuals an avenue to hold government actors accountable.
Learn more about crimes committed by government actors and police
What Makes Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight Unique:
- We use a victim-centered approach. Our attorneys and staff are specially trained in trauma-informed advocacy. In addition, we work closely with treating mental health providers, trauma experts, and non-profit partners 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.
- In addition to representing survivors in their civil suits, we advocate for our clients as they navigate the criminal prosecution of the person who committed the crime. Our team helps protect a survivor’s individual rights in the criminal justice process, including the right to privacy, to protection, and to restitution. Our team has achieved great results in strengthening and applying the protections that every crime victim is entitled to.
- We have the resources necessary to bring multi-victim cases against powerful institutions. Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight is one of the leading civil rights class action firms in the country, having achieved record civil rights verdicts and settlements. We have brought the firm’s class action expertise to bear in a number of multi-victim sexual violence cases, including cases against Dartmouth College and Columbia University.