Workplace Sexual Abuse Lawyer in New York

Everyone has the right to feel safe and respected in the workplace, but unfortunately, sexual abuse can still occur in professional environments. For many victims, the trauma they have experienced can leave them feeling afraid and unsure of where to turn.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of workplace sexual abuse, The Fitch Law Firm is here to help. Whether the abuse was committed by a supervisor, coworker, client, or anyone else on the job, you have the right to take legal action. We have a dedicated and compassionate legal team that is committed to helping survivors find the justice and closure they deserve.

Understanding Workplace Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse refers to a form of sexual violence that encompasses not only the physical harm inflicted, but the emotional and psychological harm as well. It is usually used to refer to cases where a vulnerable party has been forced into sexual acts against their will.

Workplace sexual abuse does not need to include physical contact in order to be considered sexual violence. It can come in the form of verbal, physical, and online behaviors, and it can look like any of the following:

Exhibitionism
Masturbation in the presence of the victim
Displaying or forcing the victim to watch pornographic content
Obscene and/or lewd phone calls, messages, or digital interactions
Forcing the victim to take sexual photos or videos
Unwanted touching or physical contact
Coercion or threats tied to sexual favors
Sexual assault or rape

Workplace sexual abuse isn’t limited to a specific career field or work environment, and it can occur in corporate offices, restaurants, healthcare facilities, factories, schools, or even remote work environments. In fact, according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, almost 10 million people in the United States reported some form of sexual violence by a perpetrator in the workplace.

Your Legal Options After Workplace Sexual Abuse

Compensation

Sexual abuse takes an immense emotional and psychological toll, but the costs of trauma can also be literal: data from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center estimates that the life-time cost of rape is $122,561 per victim.

Money can’t reverse the harm that victims have suffered, but it can help them get the resources they need to continue their path to recovery. Victims of sexual abuse may be entitled to compensation for the following:

Emotional pain and suffering
Lost wages and benefits
Medical and therapy expenses
Career damage or loss of job opportunities
Punitive damages in cases of gross misconduct

If you or someone you know was a victim of workplace sexual abuse, there are paths that you can take to begin seeking justice and closure. Reach out to a qualified workplace sexual abuse attorney and get more information on what choices are available to you.

Holding Employers and Individuals Accountable

The trauma that victims have gone through may be contributed to certain individuals, but employers might also be held accountable if they:

Failed to conduct thorough background checks
Ignored prior complaints or red flags
Created or tolerated a hostile work environment
Retaliated against employees for reporting abuse

At the Fitch Law Firm, we can help you explore all possible avenues for accountability and compensation. It can be difficult to navigate the legal landscape and daunting to confront your abusers and any parties that may have enabled them. A sexual abuse attorney can connect you to resources and help you manage your claim so that you can focus on recovery and healing.

What Steps Can I Take?

It takes an immense amount of courage for victims to speak out. In fact, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 63% of all sexual assaults are not reported to the police at all. In work environments, where your livelihood might be threatened, it can feel especially daunting to make a report or speak out against the injustice of what has happened.

There are various reasons why survivors may struggle with speaking out on their abuse in the workplace:

The Victim’s Fears

Feelings of guilt, shame or humiliation
Fear of retaliation in the workplace or other forms of harm
Concern that their workplace and their community believe them and that they may be ostracized for speaking out

How Employers May Enable Abusers

Convincing the victim that their experience wasn’t a big deal, or that they should keep quiet about what happened
Failing to report the matter to authorities or the community
Inadequately disciplining abusers

But The Fitch Law Firm stands behind victims of sexual abuse, and we recognize and appreciate the courage that Survivors exhibit in confronting their perpetrators and seeking justice.

In 2019, New York State expanded their statute of limitations on both civil and criminal cases involving sexual offenses, increasing the time window from one year to 20 years. But just because victims have been granted two decades to raise their claim doesn’t mean that they should wait. The legal landscape can be complex, and time is needed to help understand the details of your case and the best way to help you. The sooner a qualified attorney can help you, the stronger your claim may be.

It can be overwhelming to understand what to do or how to approach the perpetrator when you’re experiencing abuse. While each situation is different, there are several things that you can do to help protect yourself and support your claim.

Document the harassment and abuse	Write down the dates and details of any instances of sexual abuse and harassment and save your own copies of emails, texts, or any other evidence of misconduct in a place away from your worksite.
Consult an attorney	Beyond reporting the abuse to your employer or the police, it can be overwhelming to discern what to do next. Consulting with an attorney can help you understand the state’s laws and navigate your possible options.
Take care of yourself	Experiencing sexual abuse can be a deeply traumatic and exhaustive experience, and your health and wellbeing is the priority. Explain what happened to someone that you trust and go to an emergency or health clinic if you were the victim of rape.

Why Choose the Fitch Law Firm?

We understand the emotional, financial, and professional toll workplace sexual abuse can take. Our attorneys have decades of experience in fighting for victims’ legal rights and holding their perpetrators accountable. We are experienced in navigating both state and federal employment laws, and we offer trauma-informed, discreet representation every step of the way.

We provide:

Free, confidential consultations
Experienced legal advocates focused on your well-being
No legal fees unless we recover compensation for you
Relentless pursuit of justice, even against large corporations

You don’t have to go through this alone.

Speak With a New York Workplace Sexual Abuse Attorney

If you’ve experienced sexual abuse at work in New York, you have legal rights and options. Let The Fitch Law Firm help you take a stand.

The decision to come forward is deeply personal, and we respect the timeline that works for you. For many survivors, seeking justice against their abusers can help in the healing process, and we’re here to support you on this journey at the speed that you need.