Compassionate Legal Representation for Child Victims of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault in Westchester
Children who have been sexually abused by adults entrusted with their care have been through trauma that will often have lifelong repercussions. They may experience post-traumatic stress, suicidal thoughts, a lack of self-esteem, and various other difficulties that make it far more difficult to navigate the challenges of life.
These children who have had the joy and innocence of childhood wrongfully taken from them by a sexual predator deserve compensation. The abuser and anyone else who covered it up, failed to prevent it, or in any other way aided it must also be held fully accountable under the law.
Michael J. McConnell is a local Westchester County personal injury lawyer and former prosecutorwho is dedicated to providing compassionate legal representation to child victims of sexual abuse through a trauma-informed approach.
If your child has been a victim of sexual abuse in Westchester County, call us at (914) 810-0510 for a free and confidential case evaluation or book one through the button below.
Examples of Childhood Sexual Abuse
There are countless ways that a child can be sexually abused, but the list below is representative of some of the most common examples.
- Rape
- Child molestation
- Sexual contact with a minor
- Grooming
- Touching intimate parts
- Groping
- Coercion
- Sex trafficking
This list is not exhaustive, so if you are unsure whether your child may have been victimized by an adult caregiver, you are encouraged to immediately speak with law enforcement about the conduct in question.
Child Sexual Abuse Cases in Westchester County, NY
Sexual abuse of children can occur anywhere, including:
- Schools
- Daycares
- Places of worship and religious institutions
- Sports organizations
- Sleepovers
- Doctor’s offices
- Summer camps
- Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
In the vast majority of childhood sexual assault cases, the predator is known by the victim—perhaps even as someone who was entrusted with their care like a teacher, pastor, coach, caregiver, friend, or even family member.
This is why it’s common to see examples in the news almost daily about children being sexually abused, sexually assaulted, or groomed by people in a position of trust or authority. The common theme running through these cases is a person gaining the trust of a child and their parents and then taking advantage of it by sexually abusing the child.
Criminal Charges Are Different Than a Civil Lawsuit for Child Sexual Abuse
When an adult sexually abuses a child, they can and should be held responsible through criminal punishment. This is typically done by the abuser being arrested and prosecuted.
While punishment like prison time is important for predators who sexually abuse children, the criminal justice system does not typically have the ability to fully compensate victims.
By bringing a civil lawsuit, a child who has survived sexual trauma can seek compensation for the harm they have suffered, which can include physical, emotional, and psychological injury.
Victims of crime in Westchester can pursue a lawsuit in addition to a criminal prosecution. In fact, even if there is no criminal prosecution, a survivor of sexual abuse can still bring a civil lawsuit.
This is because the purpose of a criminal prosecution is different than a civil lawsuit. The purpose of a criminal prosecution is to punish—typically with jail or prison time. The purpose of a civil lawsuit is compensation in the form of money.
Suing for Sexual Abuse of a Child: Important Considerations in Determining Liability
The abuser can be sued for their intentional misconduct, but it is also advisable to consider who else might be legally responsible.
For example, if a teacher sexually abuses a student, it may be possible to hold the school accountable depending on the facts of the case.
In particular, if the school covered up the abuse, failed to vet the teacher through a proper background check, negligently supervised the teacher, or unreasonably ignored warning signs of sexual misconduct, it might be possible to sue the school for their negligence that led to a teacher sexually abusing a student.
The same concept can be applied to countless other situations depending on the unique facts of any given case, including the following:
- Churches can be held liable for sexual abuse by a priest, pastor, or other church employee.
- Medical facilities or hospitals can be liable for sexual assault by a doctor.
- Sports organizations or training facilities can be held liable for sexual abuse by a coach or trainer.
- Summer camps can be liable for sexual abuse by a camp counselor.
Protecting children from sexual abuse demands that larger institutions do their part to prevent it from occurring, which is why they must be held fully accountable when their negligence or intentional misconduct is responsible for the life-altering trauma endured by an innocent child.
How much does it cost to take someone to court for sexual assault of a child in Westchester?
Hiring a personal injury lawyer to sue for sexual assault or sexual abuse will typically cost nothing up front and the lawyer will only get paid if they win the lawsuit.
This is because personal injury lawyers get paid on a contingency fee basis. They will only get paid a fee if you get compensated from a settlement or verdict. Generally, the attorney’s fee will be one-third of the overall compensation.
It is therefore possible for a family to hire a quality attorney of their choice without having to worry about how to come up with the funds. This allows everyone to access justice and seek compensation regardless of their individual financial situation.
How a Lawyer Can Seek Justice and Compensation for Child Victims of Sex Crimes?
While bringing legal action for sexual trauma can feel intimidating, the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is committed to doing everything possible to provide survivors with compassionate legal representation that prioritizes their safety and wellbeing while empowering them to have their voice heard.
Here are some steps an attorney can take to pursue the maximum recovery possible under the law and facts of a case:
- Free and confidential case review. An attorney will listen and allow the victim to speak without pressure or judgment. If a case can be brought, the victim or their family will have full autonomy to make that decision.
- Thorough and proactive investigation. Using the skills he learned as a criminal prosecutor, Michael J. McConnell will immediately begin working on the case by obtaining key evidence, locating important witnesses, and using all appropriate resources to build the strongest case possible.
- Filing a lawsuit. It is critical to file the lawsuit within the statute of limitations following a diligent investigation. In some cases, it may be possible to reach a settlement prior to filing a lawsuit, but unfortunately many abusers and larger institutions responsible for the abuse might refuse to settle for a fair amount, at which point a lawsuit needs to be filed to seek compensation.
- Pursuing full justice in the form of financial compensation. An attorney can obtain discovery and depose witnesses, including the abuser, in an effort to build a strong case for compensation.
- Negotiating a settlement or taking the case to trial. After discovery is completed, it might be possible to reach a settlement agreement rather than going to trial. Some survivors might prefer to settle rather than go to trial, but others might really want to have their day in court where there will be a public reckoning for what the abuser did. The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell will always advocate just as strongly in either scenario and will seek justice consistent with the client’s wishes.
The Benefits of a Civil Lawsuit for Survivors of Youth Sexual Exploitation
There are several potential benefits to a lawsuit, including:
- Compensation for physical, emotional, and psychological harm in addition to potentially covering past, present, and future expenses for things like therapy or counseling.
- Accountability of the offender by bringing a lawsuit requiring them to answer for their heinous conduct and requiring them to either admit responsibility or risk being found liable by a jury after a public trial.
- Control and autonomy over the process since the decision of whether to file a lawsuit, agree to a settlement, or go to trial is always the client’s ultimate decision.
- Empowerment through giving survivors a voice and allowing them to seek justice on their terms.
- Protecting society and other potential victims. In many cases, a survivor may draw strength from knowing that their courage to hold an abuser accountable might create lasting change and protect someone else from life-changing trauma.
Bringing a lawsuit, especially for sensitive cases involving children, is always a decision that takes a tremendous amount of strength and bravery. In those cases, it’s important that the attorney meets their client where they are with unconditional patience and compassion to help them decide what is the right move for them.
Resources for Survivors Beyond the Civil Justice System
The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell recognizes that survivors of childhood sexual abuse need important support beyond compassionate legal representation. Our office can collaborate with therapists and non-profit organizations to help ensure clients and their families get the proper support that they need.
Ready to Speak with an Attorney? Call for a Free Case Review Today.
Schedule a free consultation with a dedicated and compassionate attorney today if your child was a victim of sexual abuse in Yonkers, White Plains, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Mamaroneck, or elsewhere in Westchester County, NY.
You can call us at (914) 810-0510 or sign up for one below. We are ready to help your family move forward by seeking justice, accountability, and compensation.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. If you need legal advice, you should immediately contact an attorney and speak with them confidentially about your unique situation.
This page was last updated on 8/29/26.