Sexual abuse doesn’t follow one pattern. It happens in homes, schools, offices, and institutions, to people of all ages and backgrounds. Survivors in San Diego deserve a legal path that respects their experience and their voice.
If you need a sexual abuse lawyer in San Diego, Arias Sanguinetti | Trial Lawyers is here to help. With over 300 years of combined experience, our team stands with survivors and knows how to hold individuals and institutions accountable.
A San Diego personal injury lawyer from our firm can explain your rights, talk with you about what happened, and help you take the next step on your terms.
What Counts as Sexual Abuse in San Diego?
Sexual abuse includes any non–consensual sexual contact. That can mean groping, coercion, molestation, rape, forced exposure, or abuse involving power or manipulation. The abuser might be a relative, teacher, coach, religious figure, employer, partner, or a stranger.
California law protects survivors regardless of age, gender, or relationship to the abuser. Whether the incident happened in a home, school, workplace, medical facility, or public space, you have the right to speak up and be heard.
A sexual abuse attorney in San Diego can help identify what laws apply and whether the act qualifies for criminal or civil action.
Civil vs. Criminal Cases in San Diego County
Survivors can choose to file a police report, pursue a civil lawsuit, or do both. Criminal cases focus on the state prosecuting the perpetrator. Civil cases allow the survivor to seek damages and hold institutions accountable for allowing or covering up the abuse.
You do not need a criminal conviction to pursue a civil lawsuit. The burden of proof is lower, and your goals—healing, truth, accountability—shape the legal path forward.
Your attorney can help you decide which steps feel right for you and provide options without pressure.
San Diego Sexual Abuse Lawyer Near Me 310-844-9696
Signs Sexual Abuse May Have Occurred
Not all survivors come forward right away. Many hesitate for months, years, or even decades. There is no right timeline, and no perfect way to tell your story. But there are signs that abuse may have happened or may be happening now:
- Sudden behavioral changes, isolation, or fear of specific people
- Nightmares, anxiety, or physical health issues without a clear cause
- Withdrawal from school, work, or social activities
- Evidence of grooming, secrecy, or coercive control
- Discomfort with certain locations or situations tied to the trauma
If you’re unsure, that’s okay. A sexual abuse attorney in San Diego can listen and help you understand what comes next.
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You Don’t Need Physical Evidence to Come Forward
Most survivors don’t have physical proof, and that does not disqualify your case. California courts often rely on:
- Testimony from survivors and witnesses
- Documentation (texts, emails, journal entries, or school/work reports)
- Expert input from medical or mental health professionals
- Patterns of conduct if the same person harmed others
Legal action is possible even when there’s no “perfect” case. Your experience matters. Your attorney can explain how your story fits into California law and what rights you still have.
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California’s Lookback Window for Adult Sexual Assault Survivors
California’s lookback window, created by Assembly Bill 2777, allows adult survivors to file sexual assault lawsuits even if the statute of limitations has passed. This temporary window is open from Jan. 1, 2023, to Dec. 31, 2026, for assaults that happened on or after Jan. 1, 2009.
A separate one-year window for claims involving institutional cover–ups closed on Dec. 31, 2023. But survivors who didn’t file by then may still qualify under the main lookback window.
These rules apply to civil lawsuits, not criminal charges. If you’re unsure whether your case qualifies, a San Diego sexual abuse attorney can help review the details privately.
San Diego Laws for Child Sexual Abuse Survivors
California offers extended legal protections for those who were harmed as children. Survivors of child sexual abuse can file civil lawsuits until they turn 40, or within five years of discovering that the abuse caused psychological harm.
Survivors who can show that an institution covered up the abuse may still file a claim at any age under California Code of Civil Procedure § 340.1.
Whether the harm occurred in a school, religious setting, foster home, camp, or elsewhere, survivors can still take legal action. Your lawyer can help you build a case without retraumatizing you or your family.
Legal Action Without a Courtroom Battle
Not every case goes to trial. Many survivors resolve their claims through private settlement or mediation. A civil lawsuit can often accomplish more than a criminal case, especially when the perpetrator has never been prosecuted or convicted.
Legal action can result in:
- Monetary recovery for therapy, lost income, or life disruption
- Policy changes within schools, organizations, or companies
- Public acknowledgment that the abuse occurred
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need someone who will listen and guide you through the process. A San Diego sexual abuse attorney can do that.
Why Survivors in San Diego Choose Legal Help
Survivors often come forward to protect others, not just themselves. They want to stop an abuser from hurting someone else. They want institutions to answer for the harm they allowed or ignored.
That decision can feel heavy, but you don’t have to carry it alone. The legal system exists to hold people and institutions accountable, even when years have passed.
Our job is to help survivors make informed choices. We don’t pressure you. We don’t make assumptions. We stand with you and protect your voice every step of the way.
Justice Starts With a Call to a Sexual Abuse Lawyer in San Diego
At Arias Sanguinetti, we have recovered well over $1.5 billion for clients and bring more than 300 years of combined legal experience to the cases we handle.
We have helped survivors throughout California confront institutions, abusers, and systems that failed them.
If you need a sexual abuse lawyer in San Diego, our team is here to listen, not to judge. We will do everything in our power to protect your safety, your privacy, and your right to move forward.
Reach out when you’re ready. We’re here to help you take the next step.
Call or text 310-844-9696 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
