Sexual abuse is any kind of non-consensual sexual contact. Unfortunately, sexual abuse is all too common; according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives. Child sexual abuse is also alarmingly common, with the NSVRC reporting that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old. In many cases, abusers get away with their actions for years, sometimes even decades. This is because their victims were afraid of being disbelieved or mocked, or afraid of retaliation. If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, it is important that you understand that you are not alone and that you have options. Speaking up about what happened to you is the first step on the road to recovery.
The physical and psychological injuries that result from sexual abuse can be both long-lasting and devastating. Possible physical injuries include bruises, cuts, broken bones, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. Psychological injuries can include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), shame, self-blame, and suicidal thoughts or attempts.
Silver Golub & Teitell has a well-earned reputation for successfully representing the victims of child sexual abuse, and our lawyers have helped our clients attain some of the largest recoveries in the country as a result of settlements and at trial. This includes a case against the American School for the Deaf and those who were child victims of abuse during their participation in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). In the latter case, firm partner Jennifer B. Goldstein obtained a jury verdict resulting in a total judgment of nearly $12 million for an adult victim of child sexual abuse in Scouting. To date, this case remains the largest known compensatory jury award in the country to an adult survivor who sued the Boy Scouts for childhood sexual abuse.
While we cannot turn back time to prevent the trauma our clients have suffered, we believe that results like these not only provide important compensation for victims, but also can be a catalyst for change and a powerful deterrent to prevent future abuse and assault, improve youth safety in Connecticut organizations and otherwise make a positive impact in the community.
