Skip to content
If you or a loved one has suffered from sexual abuse, we may help connect you with an experienced attorney who will listen and guide you through the legal process, and help you pursue justice.
If you or a loved one has been through something incredibly traumatic and painful, it might feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. We know it’s not easy, but the important thing to remember is that you’re not alone.
The right legal support can help you regain control and start moving toward healing, and that’s our mission at SurvivorsRights.com—to help connect you with the most experienced and empathetic sexual abuse/assault attorneys. If and when you’re ready to take action (you are in control of whether to pursue justice), one of the most important steps is finding the right attorney.
You wouldn’t hire a carpenter to rewire your home’s electrical circuits; you’d hire an electrician. The same goes for legal cases. When it comes to something as personal and traumatic, you want someone with the experience to fight for you, someone who understands the intricacies of these cases. You need a sexual abuse attorney—someone who specializes in cases like yours and can ensure the best possible outcome.
Sexual abuse cases aren’t just about money (though compensation is an important part). It’s about justice—taking back control and being treated with dignity and respect. And it’s about healing: therapy, support groups, healthy habits—these are all pieces of the puzzle to help you feel as whole again as possible. But to make sure you get there, you need the right advocate in your corner.
An experienced Oregon sexual abuse attorney won’t just focus on compensation. They’ll be there every step of the way, ensuring your voice is heard and making sure you’re treated with the respect and compassion you deserve throughout the process. This isn’t just a case for them—it’s your life, your healing, and your journey toward justice.
Upwards of 90% of eligible survivors miss out on the chance to pursue justice and receive compensation simply because they doubt whether their experience qualifies. It takes just seconds to find out if you qualify to file a legal claim. Simply answer the following questions below to check your eligibility.
Your information is 100% confidential, and there are no upfront costs. The Oregon sexual abuse and assault attorneys we partner with only get paid if you win your case or receive a settlement, with zero hidden fees or obligations. You won’t owe a single penny unless you receive compensation (which most often is in the form of a settlement before a case goes to trial).
By checking your eligibility, you’re not committing to anything—just taking the first potential step toward justice and compensation.
Pursuing justice after sexual abuse isn’t just about filing paperwork like an automaton. The sexual abuse attorneys in Oregon we partner with won’t treat you like a number. They approach each case with empathy, knowing that each survivor’s story is unique, deserves to be heard and believed.
Although building a legal case is obviously an important step in holding perpetrators accountable, the experienced Oregon sexual abuse attorneys we partner with go above and beyond. They will guide you through an emotionally complex process with the sensitivity and strategy your case demands.
Unlike a general attorney, a sexual abuse attorney approaches your case with a trauma-informed mindset, meaning they know how to ask questions and gather details without re-traumatizing you. They understand the emotional nuances of these cases and adjust their approach to ensure you feel safe and supported.
Sexual abuse laws, including statutes of limitations, mandatory reporting, and victim compensation funds, are specialized legal concerns. A sexual abuse attorney is well-versed in these legal intricacies, which can be far more complex than general legal matters. They know the timelines and specific laws that affect your case and will ensure your case is filed within the correct time frame.
Sexual abuse attorneys may engage expert witnesses such as psychologists, medical professionals, and other specialists who can testify about the emotional and psychological impact of the abuse. These experts can also help the court understand the unique aspects of the trauma that might not be immediately visible or tangible.
Sexual abuse cases often involve delicate evidence, such as DNA, medical records, and personal testimony. A specialized attorney knows how to handle this evidence with the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality. By doing so, your evidence will be preserved and presented in a way that supports your case.
If your case involves an institution (such as a school, church, or healthcare facility), a sexual abuse attorney has experience in holding these institutions accountable. This can involve suing the institution for negligence or failing to act on prior complaints of abuse. A regular attorney might not have the experience or knowledge of institutional liability in these cases.
Some states and institutions have victim compensation funds available to survivors of sexual abuse. The Crime Victim and Survivor Services within the Oregon’s Department of Justice is one such program. Our network of Oregon sexual abuse attorneys are familiar with this program and can help you apply for financial assistance that may be available outside of your lawsuit.
While all attorneys offer client support, a sexual abuse attorney specifically understands the emotional toll of the process. They may provide referrals to counseling services or support groups and ensure you’re emotionally supported as you go through the legal proceedings.
Whether you live in Portland, Eugene, Salem, Bend, Medford, or anywhere in between, it’s essential to find a local attorney who understands the nuances of Oregon law. After all, if you live in, say, Coos Bay, you likely wouldn’t want to drive the 160 miles to meet with an attorney in Medford.
SurvivorsRights.com may help connect you with an experienced, local attorney. While we can’t guarantee that if you live in Yachats, OR (pop: 1,000) there will be an attorney we partner with. However, our network includes attorneys throughout Oregon.
Local attorneys are familiar with the specific statutes, court processes, and regional challenges, which can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.
If you’re ready to speak to someone who will listen and guide you with care, we can connect you to an experienced, local attorney. Contact us today for a confidential consultation and take the first step toward justice.
We partner with Oregon-based attorneys who handle a broad range of sexual abuse cases, providing specialized legal guidance for survivors. Here are some of the most common types of cases we assist with:
Currently, under Oregon law, survivors of child sexual abuse have until they turn 40 years old to file a civil lawsuit, or within five years of discovering the connection between the abuse and their injuries. If House Bill (HB) 3582 passes, the legislation, introduced in February 2025, would remove the statute of limitations for civil actions related to child sexual abuse cases. An attorney who specializes in these cases is essential to build a strong case, ensure the survivor’s rights are protected, and pursue justice and compensation for the harm they endured.
—> Update: May 30, 2025 — Oregon Public Broadcasting and other media outlets are reporting that Oregon’s House of Representatives has passed HB 3582. The bill aims to eliminate the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits involving child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault. The bill also removes a legal loophole that protected institutions unless they “knowingly” enabled abuse. If passed, Oregon would join 19 other states in expanding survivors’ rights to seek justice on their own timeline.
Abuse within religious institutions often involves deep betrayal of trust. We work with survivors to pursue justice against clergy members and the institutions that failed to protect them.
–> Notable Case: $4 Million Settlement by the Archdiocese of Portland
In 2019, the Archdiocese of Portland agreed to pay nearly $4 million to settle claims brought by eight men who alleged they were sexually abused as children by Rev. Pius Brazauskas during the 1970s and 1980s. Most of the victims served as altar boys at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in North Bend. The abuse reportedly occurred when the victims were between the ages of 5 and 16. In 2004, the Archdiocese of Portland became the first Catholic diocese in the U.S. to file for bankruptcy due to mounting clergy sex abuse allegations. At the time, it had already settled more than 100 cases. By the end of the bankruptcy process in 2007, that number had grown to over 300 settled claims, with nearly $90 million paid out in survivor compensation and legal fees.
Healthcare professionals are entrusted with intimate care, and abuse by these trusted individuals is a gross violation of that trust. If you’ve been abused by a medical professional, we can help you hold them accountable.
–> Notable Case: Dr. David Farley Accused of Widespread Sexual Abuse
Dr. David Farley, a former family physician and Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) stake high council member in West Linn, faces allegations from over 150 former patients who claim he conducted unnecessary and invasive breast, genital, and rectal exams under the guise of medical care. Despite the volume of complaints, a 2022 grand jury declined to indict Farley, leading many survivors to pursue justice through civil litigation.
Elderly individuals in care facilities are particularly vulnerable. If your loved one has been sexually abused in a nursing home or care facility, we can help you seek justice and protect their rights.
–> Notable Case: Arrest of Nursing Home Employee for Sexual Abuse in Grants Pass
In June 2024, 28-year-old Michael Anthony Lee, a Certified Nursing Assistant in Grants Pass, was arrested following allegations of sexual abuse involving elderly residents at a local nursing home. The Grants Pass Police Department reported that Lee allegedly targeted both male and female elderly patients for sexual assault. He was charged with two counts of first-degree sex abuse and two counts of first-degree attempted sex abuse. Authorities believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.
Juvenile detention centers are meant to rehabilitate minors, not add to their oftentimes traumatic upbringing. Yet recent lawsuits allege that multiple staff members at Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) facilities exploited their authority to sexually abuse teens and young adults in custody. Survivors may have legal options to hold the state and its employees accountable for this betrayal of trust.
–> Notable Case: Widespread Sexual Abuse at Oregon Youth Authority Facilities
In September 2024, six former youth detainees filed federal civil rights lawsuits accusing staff at the MacLaren and Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facilities of sexual abuse between 2019 and 2023. The lawsuits name four former staff members as direct perpetrators and 11 others for failing to report or prevent the misconduct. One survivor, A.G., described being groomed and abused at age 17 by a staff member at Oak Creek. Another, O.G., was allegedly given drugs by a female staff member, resulting in failed sobriety tests and a delayed parole. Multiple staff named in the lawsuits have since faced criminal charges. Attorneys representing the survivors say this may be only the “tip of the iceberg.”
In March 2025, Governor Tina Kotek dismissed OYA Director Joe O’Leary following revelations of a significant backlog of uninvestigated abuse complaints within the agency. An internal investigation revealed that over 3,000 reports had not been properly reviewed, including at least two involving substantiated allegations of staff sexually abusing youth in custody. The report criticized the agency’s Professional Standards Office for its failure to address these complaints adequately. O’Leary claimed he was unaware of the backlog’s severity and had initiated an independent review upon discovering the issue.
In May 2025, ten former detainees filed a $51 million lawsuit against the Oregon Youth Authority, alleging that Dr. Edward Gary Edwards, the longtime chief medical officer at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, sexually abused them between 2001 and 2007. The lawsuit claims that the abuse was an open secret among staff, with Edwards reportedly nicknamed “Dr. Cold Fingers.” Despite complaints made during the time of the alleged abuse, the plaintiffs assert that their reports were ignored by guards, nurses, and administrators. Edwards, who began working at OYA in 1977, passed away in February 2025, shortly before the first lawsuit was filed
Sexual abuse can occur in K-12 schools or college settings, whether by teachers, staff, or fellow students. Schools have a legal duty to protect students, and when they fail, the Oregon sexual abuse attorneys we partner with fight for accountability.
–> Notable Case: St. Helens High School Sexual Abuse Scandal
In 2024, St. Helens High School became the center of a sexual abuse scandal. From 2005 to 2018, St. Helens High School knew of multiple incidents regarding the sexual misconduct of the history teacher, football coach, and track coach. The track coach, Kyle Wrobleski, was arrested in 2018 and found guilty. In March 2024, the St. Helens School District had to pay a former student $3.5 million in a civil rights suit lawsuit settlement. In November 2024, choir director Eric Stearns and former math teacher Mark Collins were arrested for alleged sexual assault. This led to the placement of the principal and superintendent on paid administrative leave, the resignation of the school board chair, and calls for the firing of the entire school board.
Children in foster care should be protected, yet abuse can occur at the hands of foster parents or social workers. The best Oregon sexual abuse attorneys help families pursue legal action against those responsible for such abuses.
–>Notable Case: Oregon DHS Settles $40 Million Lawsuit Over Foster Care Abuse
In December 2023, the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) agreed to a record-setting $40 million settlement in a federal lawsuit brought by four former foster children who suffered severe sexual and physical abuse while in state care. The children were placed with foster parents Melissa and Casey Miller in Keizer, despite numerous warning signs and reports of abuse. The lawsuit revealed that DHS caseworkers repeatedly ignored or dismissed evidence of harm, including visible injuries, emotional trauma, and reports of sexual abuse. One child endured sexual abuse that led to the foster father’s 30-year prison sentence in 2017. Another child suffered seven untreated broken bones. The case exposed systemic failures in Oregon’s foster care system, where oversight lapses allowed abuse to continue unchecked. The $40 million settlement is the largest of its kind in Oregon’s history.
Incarcerated individuals still have rights. Sexual abuse in prisons or jails can be addressed under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), and survivors may have their legal rights asserted via the help of an experienced attorney SurvivorsRights.com partners with.
–>Notable Case: Widespread Sexual Abuse at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility
Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF), Oregon’s only women’s prison, has been the center of multiple sexual abuse scandals involving correctional staff.
Tony Klein: A former nurse at CCCF, Klein was convicted in July 2023 on 17 counts of sexual assault and four counts of perjury for sexually abusing nine female inmates between 2010 and 2018. He was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. The state has settled at least 11 lawsuits related to his misconduct, totaling $1.87 million.
Levi David Gray: In May 2025, Gray, a former corrections officer, was sentenced to 20 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of first-degree custodial sexual misconduct. Gray abused a 19-year-old inmate in a cell without surveillance cameras. He faces additional civil lawsuits from other women alleging similar abuse between 2017 and 2023.
When your child is placed in daycare, you trust the facility to keep them safe. If abuse occurs, an Oregon sexual abuse attorney can help you hold daycare providers accountable.
–> Notable Case: $27 Million Lawsuit Filed Against Ashland Preschool for Child Sexual Abuse
In April 2025, a $27 million lawsuit was filed against Children’s World Montessori School in Ashland, alleging that the institution enabled a former teacher, Craig Johnson, to perpetrate a prolonged scheme of child sexual abuse and exploitation on campus. According to the lawsuit, Johnson, who had been employed at the preschool for over a decade, allegedly abused numerous children aged one to five years old, most too young to comprehend or report the abuse. Despite existing policies prohibiting staff from being alone with children in bathrooms, the lawsuit claims that Johnson repeatedly violated this rule, and the school failed to enforce its own safety protocols.
The lawsuit also points to prior warning signs, such as complaints from parents about Johnson’s excessive touching and “classic grooming behaviors,” including giving personalized gifts and extra attention to certain children. Furthermore, the school allegedly overlooked Johnson’s past misdemeanor charges for harassment and assault when hiring him.
Abuse within organizations like the Boy Scouts or at summer camps can have lifelong effects. With recent large settlements, we work to ensure survivors receive the compensation they deserve.
–> Notable Case: Oregon Jury Awards Nearly $20 Million in Boy Scouts Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
In 2010, an Oregon jury awarded a total of $19.9 million to Kerry Lewis, a former Boy Scout who was sexually abused by assistant scoutmaster, Timur Dykes, in the 1980s. The verdict included $1.4 million in compensatory damages and $18.5 million in punitive damages, marking one of the largest punitive awards against the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) at the time.
This landmark case brought national attention to the BSA’s internal records, known as the “Perversion Files,” which documented decades of abuse allegations against scout leaders. The release of these files revealed that the organization had maintained confidential records of suspected abusers but often failed to report them to authorities, allowing many to continue their involvement with youth.
The Lewis case not only provided justice for the survivor but also exposed systemic issues within the BSA, leading to increased scrutiny and reforms aimed at protecting children in scouting programs, which had deep roots in Oregon.
Coaches hold significant power over young athletes. If that power is abused, we help survivors take legal action and pursue justice.
–> See “St. Helens School District” above for notable case.
Oregon has recently enacted significant reforms to its statutes of limitations for sexual abuse and assault cases, providing survivors with extended opportunities to seek justice. Understanding these changes is crucial for survivors considering legal action.
Under House Bill 3632, effective January 1, 2024, the timeframes for prosecuting certain sexual offenses have been extended:
DNA Evidence: If a suspect is identified through DNA evidence, there is no statute of limitations for prosecuting first-degree rape, sodomy, unlawful sexual penetration, or sexual abuse.
Survivors seeking civil remedies for sexual abuse have the following timeframes:
These extensions acknowledge that many survivors may not immediately recognize the abuse’s effects, allowing more time to come forward.
Oregon mandates that certain professionals, including teachers, healthcare providers, and law enforcement officers, report any suspected child abuse, including sexual abuse, to the Department of Human Services or law enforcement. This requirement aims to protect victims and initiate timely investigations.
Nobody would blame you for not thoroughly understanding these statutes, let alone knowing what your legal rights are. Consulting with an experienced Oregon sexual abuse attorney can provide clarity and guidance tailored to your unique situation. Every survivor’s story is unique. An attorney can help determine the applicable statutes of limitations for your case and assist in pursuing the justice you deserve.
If you have questions about your rights or need assistance connecting with a qualified attorney in Oregon, our intake team may help connect you.
The attorneys that our intake team may help connect you with prioritize a trauma-informed, survivor-first approach, which is critical in handling such sensitive matters. Here’s why choosing our Oregon sexual abuse attorneys makes a difference:
Reaching out for legal help is a courageous first step toward justice. If you’re ready to take action, we’re here to help you understand your legal options and ensure that you receive the support you need during this challenging time. Our compassionate intake team is standing by to help you discover your legal options.
Oregon law allows survivors of child sexual abuse to file a civil lawsuit anytime before they turn 40—or within five years of discovering the abuse caused them harm, whichever is later. For adult survivors, the deadlines can vary. It’s best to consult an attorney to understand what applies in your specific case.
Yes. Many survivors come forward years after the abuse took place. Oregon’s laws provide extended windows for civil action, especially for those who were abused as children. If you’re unsure whether your case still qualifies, an attorney can help assess your options.
You can still pursue a civil lawsuit, even if the abuser was never arrested or prosecuted. Civil and criminal cases are separate processes. In civil court, the burden of proof is lower, and the goal is financial compensation and accountability—not jail time.
Yes, in many cases. Oregon courts may allow you to file under a pseudonym (like Jane or John Doe) to protect your privacy. Your attorney can request this protection when your case is filed.
In many cases, yes. Schools, churches, foster agencies, and other organizations can be held accountable if they knew or should have known about the abuse and failed to act. These lawsuits are often key to uncovering systemic negligence and securing justice beyond the individual abuser.
Yes. If the abuse occurred in a state-run or contracted facility, you may have a case against the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) or the private agency involved. These cases are complex and time-sensitive, so it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Every case is different, but many sexual abuse civil lawsuits take several months to a few years. Some are resolved quickly through settlement, while others may go to trial. A qualified attorney can guide you through each step at a pace that supports your healing.
That’s completely understandable. Most cases settle before going to trial, and your attorney can often handle much of the legal work without requiring you to testify publicly. You’re always in control of how far you want to go.
Civil lawsuits may result in compensation for pain and suffering, medical and therapy costs, lost income, and more. While no amount of money can undo the trauma, financial recovery can support your healing and hold institutions accountable.
You don’t have to do this alone. Our intake team may be able to connect you with a trauma-informed attorney in Oregon who understands these cases and can help you explore your options—all in a confidential, pressure-free setting.