San Diego Sexual Abuse Attorney

If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse or assault in San Diego or surrounding areas, you may be eligible to recover compensation and hold the abuser and organization accountable. At Kayla’s Survivors, our sexual abuse lawyers have helped recover over $1 billion for clients as a result of settlements and verdicts, including claims settled in San Diego, California. You do not have to face this alone – our attorneys are here to help you seek justice.

At Kayla’s Survivors, our attorneys work on contingency, which means there are no upfront costs or legal fees – you pay nothing if we don’t win your case. Our goal is to make seeking legal help as easy as possible. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, assault, or misconduct and have a potential case, call (619) 771-0746 or get help online from our legal team. Our San Diego law office is conveniently located at 402 W Broadway #410, San Diego, CA 92101.

Together, We Can Hold Abusers Accountable…

Get Legal Support →

Understanding Sexual Abuse & Assault

Sexual abuse (or assault) is any unwanted sexual contact or behavior without clear consent. In California law, sexual assault covers a wide range of non-consensual acts. For example, it includes rape or attempted rape, forced touching of intimate body parts, sexual exploitation (such as coerced pornography or photos), and any other forced sexual act. It also covers situations where someone cannot legally consent – for instance, minors (anyone under 18 cannot consent to sexual activity in California), people who are mentally or physically incapacitated, intoxicated, or unconscious, or cases where a person in authority abuses that power.

Importantly, you do not have to prove a criminal act occurred to win a civil case. Even if the police do not press charges, you may still sue. California law acknowledges that abuse is about harm – physical, emotional, or psychological – not just whether the assailant was criminally charged. In any case, what happened to you was not your fault. We understand that trauma responses (freezing, dissociation, shock) are normal self-protective reactions. No matter how you responded during the assault, you deserve support and justice.

Examples of sexual abuse include:

• Rape or attempted rape (forced sexual intercourse)
• Any unwanted sexual touching or contact (even over clothing)
• Sexual exploitation or coercion (such as forcing someone to take nude photos or have sexual encounters)
• Other forced or manipulated sexual acts or communications

Sexual harassment (such as quid pro quo demands or persistent unwanted advances) can overlap with assault, and our attorneys can also advise on workplace or school harassment issues if relevant.

Types of San Diego Sexual Abuse Cases We Handle

We represent survivors in a wide range of abuse cases, including:

Clergy & Church Abuse

If you experienced abuse by a priest, pastor, or church volunteer in San Diego, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the individual and the church that protected them.

Influencer & Celebrity Abuse

Our attorneys have a strong track record of handling high-profile cases, including claims and lawsuits filed against celebrities and their associated organizations.

School & University Abuse

Abuse by teachers, coaches, or school faculty—whether in San Diego Unified School District, private institutions, or universities like SDSU or UCSD—can be grounds for a civil claim.

Foster Care & Group Home Abuse

We represent children harmed in foster care and residential facilities, often involving state negligence or failure to act on abuse reports.

Uber/Lyft Sexual Abuse

Our attorney represent survivors of rideshare sexual abuse and assault caused by drivers of companies like Uber or Lyft.

Employer or Workplace Assault

If you were assaulted by a colleague or supervisor, we can pursue justice through civil litigation and explore whether your employer failed to protect you.

Liability: Who Can Be Held Responsible?

In California, sexual assault is a crime, and the perpetrator is criminally liable. But you can also bring a civil sexual abuse lawsuit in the state of California to hold parties financially accountable. This can include the attacker and any institution or individual who was negligent. For example, negligent schools, churches, camps, daycares, youth programs, or employers may be sued if they enabled or failed to prevent the abuse. If the assault happened on a rideshare, the driver or even the company (if policies were negligent) could be responsible. Likewise, hotels, spas, or vacation rentals can sometimes be sued for failing to provide reasonable security.

“Your attacker may not be the only party to blame,” notes one survivor advocacy firm. For instance, if a coach, teacher, or employer knew (or should have known) about a predator and did nothing, they can be legally liable. Kayla’s Survivors will investigate not only the perpetrator’s actions but also any organizational policies or failures that contributed. We have experience holding both individuals and institutions accountable for covering up or neglecting abuse.

Pursuing Compensation

Filing a civil claim can result in financial compensation for many of the harms you endured. Possible damages include:

• Medical & Counseling Expenses. Bills for hospital visits, sexual assault exams, ongoing therapy, and any other treatment needed for physical or psychological injuries.
• Lost Income. Wages lost if you missed work for treatment or because the trauma made you unable to work. This also covers reduced earning capacity if the abuse affects your future career.
• Pain and Suffering. Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD and other non-economic impacts of the abuse.
• Punitive Damages. In cases of particularly malicious or grossly negligent behavior, a judge can award extra “punishment” damages. These punish wrongdoers and send a message that sexual abuse will not be tolerated.

As one legal source summarizes, a lawsuit settlement or verdict can cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even punitive damages. In addition to money, a successful case may result in public accountability: perpetrators might be forced to apologize or face changes in policies to protect others. Every case is unique, but a San Diego sexual abuse attorney can evaluate all the possible losses you’ve experienced and fight to maximize your recovery.

How Much Does A San Diego Sexual Abuse Lawyer Cost?

You should not let financial worries stop you from getting legal help. At Kayla’s Survivors, we handle sexual abuse cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront – we only get paid if and when you recover money. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. Our fees and costs come out of the settlement or award, so you never pay while your case is pending. We also help you apply for any public or private financial assistance that might be available. In short, you can pursue your case with us without worrying about bills, because we invest in your case and win only when you win.

Time Limits (Statute of Limitations)

California has time limits for filing lawsuits, so it’s important to act promptly. In general:

• Adult Survivors: You have 10 years from the date of the assault to file a civil suit. Alternatively, if you only later discover that the abuse caused you harm (for example, an injury or illness), you have 3 years from the date you realized that harm. (For example, some harm like an STD or PTSD may not manifest immediately.)
• Child Survivors: The law has been expanded to give child victims more time. California now allows any survivor of childhood sexual abuse to sue up to their 40th birthday. In fact, if the injury or illness from abuse is discovered later, you get 5 years from that discovery date to file.

Because statutes can be complicated, we strongly recommend talking to an attorney quickly. Once the deadline (statute of limitations) passes, you lose the right to sue forever. Our San Diego lawyers will make sure your case is filed in time and will explain all legal deadlines in plain language.

Why Choose Kayla’s Survivors?

• Empathy and Experience. Our team understands trauma and will handle your case with the utmost sensitivity. We have guided hundreds of survivors through this process, helping them heal and move forward. Many of our attorneys (like Kayla herself) are trained in trauma-informed lawyering, so you’ll always be met with a safe environment and support.
• Proven Results. We have worked on cases with co-counsel nationwide, achieving recoveries totaling over $1 billion. We partner with recognized leaders in sexual abuse litigation and have a track record of holding powerful entities accountable. When you hire us, you gain access to a team with vast resources and legal knowledge.
• Local & National Reach. While we serve survivors nationally, our San Diego team knows California law and local courts. We will file and fight your case in the appropriate California forum. We are also plugged in to the latest developments (for example, California’s new laws extending time to sue). No matter where you were assaulted – a San Diego school, workplace, public venue, or even if the abuse happened out-of-state – we can often pursue claims on your behalf.
• We Stand With Survivors. “We believe you,” is not just a slogan – it’s our promise. We will listen without judgment and put survivors’ interests first. Our clients often tell us they finally feel heard and respected. You can read more about our commitment on our website, but know this: we will fight relentlessly for your voice to be heard.

Take Next Step: Our San Diego Sexual Abuse Attorneys Are Here To Help

If you or a loved one have suffered sexual abuse, please don’t wait. Your story matters, and you have legal rights. Contact Kayla’s Survivors today for a free, confidential consultation. We will answer your questions, explain your options, and help you make a plan. You can call our office or fill out an online form (all inquiries are confidential). Let us put our experience and compassion to work for you.

You took a courageous step by seeking information. The next step is to reach out to Kayla’s Survivors – we are here to listen, believe you, and help you pursue justice. Take the next step by calling (619) 771-0746 or tell us about your case online. Our legal team is here to listen and provide support. The sexual abuse attorneys at Kayla’s Survivors have helped recover over $1 billion for survivors nationwide, including claims arising from San Diego, California.