Skip to content If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse, sexual assault, or another form of non-consensual sexual contact in Oregon, SurvivorsRights.com may help connect you with a compassionate attorney who can explain your legal options, answer your questions, and help you determine whether you may have a claim.
If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse or assault, deciding whether to explore your legal options can feel overwhelming. There is no single “right” time to take action, and the decision to pursue a claim is yours.
SurvivorsRights.com helps connect survivors with attorneys who handle sexual abuse and assault cases and understand the sensitive nature of these claims. An experienced Oregon sexual abuse attorney can explain your rights, evaluate whether you may have a viable claim, identify potentially responsible individuals or institutions, and help you understand what to expect if you decide to move forward.
Just as you would hire a specialist for a complex medical or technical problem, sexual abuse cases often benefit from an attorney with specific experience handling these claims. These cases can involve unique statutes of limitation, institutional liability, insurance coverage, confidential records, and evidence relating to abuse that may have occurred years or even decades ago.
A civil sexual abuse claim can involve more than financial compensation. For some survivors, pursuing a case may also provide a sense of accountability and an opportunity to have their experience formally recognized. Compensation may help address losses and expenses connected to the abuse, including therapy or other forms of support, depending on the circumstances of the case.
An Oregon sexual abuse attorney can also communicate with defendants and insurers on your behalf, gather records and other evidence, evaluate potential sources of liability, negotiate a possible settlement, and, when appropriate, pursue the case in court. Throughout that process, a survivor-focused attorney should explain your options clearly and allow you to make informed decisions about how you want to proceed.
Many survivors are unsure whether what happened to them may support a legal claim, particularly when the abuse occurred years ago, involved someone they trusted, or took place within an institution such as a school, church, youth organization, medical setting, or workplace.
Checking your eligibility takes only a few moments. The questions below are designed to help determine whether your circumstances may warrant a review by an Oregon sexual abuse attorney.
Your information will be kept private and shared only with attorneys who may be able to assist. There are no upfront attorney fees. The attorneys we work with typically handle sexual abuse and assault claims on a contingency-fee basis, which generally means attorney fees are paid only if compensation is recovered. Any fee arrangement and case-related costs should be explained by the law firm before representation begins.
Checking your eligibility does not obligate you to file a lawsuit or move forward with a claim. It is simply a way to learn whether you may have legal options and, if appropriate, speak with an attorney about what those options could look like.
Pursuing a sexual abuse claim can involve much more than filing legal documents. An experienced Oregon sexual abuse attorney can help you understand your rights, explain each stage of the process, and handle many of the legal and procedural demands that may otherwise feel overwhelming.
The attorneys SurvivorsRights.com helps connect survivors with are experienced in handling sensitive sexual abuse and assault claims. Depending on the circumstances, an attorney may investigate what happened, identify potentially responsible individuals or institutions, gather records and other evidence, communicate with insurers and opposing parties, and advise you about settlement or litigation options.
Just as importantly, a survivor-focused attorney should explain your choices clearly and allow you to remain involved in decisions about your case. The goal is not only to build the strongest claim possible, but also to help you navigate the process with dignity, privacy, and as much control as possible.
In some cases, an Oregon sexual abuse attorney may work with expert witnesses such as psychologists, physicians, medical specialists, economists, or other professionals. Experts may help explain the psychological, medical, or financial effects of abuse and provide specialized testimony when those issues are relevant to the claim.
Sexual abuse and assault cases may involve highly sensitive evidence, including medical or counseling records, photographs, electronic communications, witness statements, and, in some cases, forensic evidence. An experienced Oregon sexual abuse attorney can help identify, preserve, and evaluate evidence that may support your claim while taking appropriate steps to protect your privacy.
When abuse occurs in connection with a school, religious organization, healthcare facility, youth program, residential facility, employer, or other institution, responsibility may extend beyond the individual who committed the abuse.
An Oregon sexual abuse attorney can investigate whether an institution knew or should have known about a risk of abuse, failed to respond appropriately to complaints or warning signs, negligently hired or supervised an employee, or otherwise failed in a legal duty to protect people in its care. Depending on the facts, these issues may provide grounds for pursuing compensation from an institution in addition to, or instead of, the individual perpetrator.
A civil lawsuit is not necessarily the only potential source of financial assistance. Oregon’s Crime Victims’ Compensation Program, administered through the Oregon Department of Justice, may help eligible victims of violent crime with certain expenses associated with the crime. The program specifically includes sexual assault and child abuse among potentially compensable crimes.
An Oregon sexual abuse attorney can help you understand how a civil claim may relate to other available resources and whether pursuing one form of assistance could affect another. Eligibility and available benefits depend on the individual circumstances, so survivors should review the program’s current requirements before applying.
A sexual abuse attorney’s primary role is legal representation, not counseling. However, attorneys who regularly handle survivor cases may be familiar with local victim advocates, counseling resources, support organizations, and other services that can provide additional assistance during the legal process.
Oregon also provides victim-assistance resources through its Crime Victim and Survivor Services Division and county Victim Assistance Programs, which can help crime victims understand their rights and connect with community resources.
Whether you live in Portland, Salem, Eugene, Bend, Medford, or a smaller Oregon community, you may not need to travel far to explore your legal options. Many attorneys now handle initial consultations and portions of a case by phone or video, which can make it easier for survivors who live outside major metropolitan areas.
SurvivorsRights.com may help connect you with an Oregon sexual abuse attorney who handles cases in your area. While attorney availability can vary by location, the attorneys in our network may represent survivors throughout Oregon, including those who live in rural or coastal communities.
What matters most is finding an attorney who understands Oregon sexual abuse law and has experience handling the type of claim you may be considering. Depending on the circumstances, that may include cases involving schools, churches, healthcare providers, youth organizations, employers, residential facilities, or other institutions.
If you are ready to learn more about your options, you can request a confidential case review. There is no obligation to move forward with a claim simply because you speak with an attorney.
SurvivorsRights.com may help connect you with attorneys who handle a wide range of sexual abuse and assault claims in Oregon. The legal issues can vary depending on when the abuse occurred, the survivor’s age at the time, and whether an institution may also bear responsibility.
Oregon significantly changed its civil statute-of-limitations law in 2025. House Bill 3582 was signed into law and took effect on June 26, 2025. For qualifying child sexual abuse claims arising on or after that date, Oregon law now allows a civil action to be commenced at any time.
The law is more complicated for claims arising before June 26, 2025. The legislation did not create a blanket revival window for every previously time-barred claim. Certain older claims remain subject to the prior framework, which generally required filing before age 40 or within five years after discovering the causal connection between the abuse and the injury.
HB 3582 also changed Oregon law concerning claims against institutions and others accused of allowing, permitting, or encouraging sexual abuse by removing the prior “knowingly” language in relevant provisions.
Because the filing deadline can depend heavily on when the abuse occurred and the legal theory involved, survivors with older claims should not assume they are either eligible or ineligible based on age alone. An Oregon sexual abuse attorney can review the specific dates and circumstances and explain which statute of limitations may apply.
Sexual abuse within a church or religious organization can involve both an individual perpetrator and questions about whether the institution failed to protect children or other vulnerable people. An Oregon sexual abuse attorney can investigate potential claims involving priests, pastors, clergy members, church employees, volunteers, or religious organizations that may have ignored warning signs, mishandled complaints, or failed to take reasonable steps to prevent abuse.
Notable Oregon Case: Nearly $4 Million Archdiocese of Portland Settlement
In 2019, the Archdiocese of Portland agreed to pay nearly $4 million to eight individuals who alleged they were sexually abused as children by the Rev. Pius Brazauskas during the 1970s and 1980s. The claims involved abuse on the Oregon coast, including allegations involving altar boys at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in North Bend.
The settlement was part of a much longer history of clergy-abuse litigation involving the Portland Archdiocese. In 2004, it became the first Catholic diocese in the United States to seek bankruptcy protection because of clergy sexual abuse claims. The bankruptcy concluded in 2007 with a reorganization plan providing approximately $75 million to resolve roughly 175 pending abuse claims.
Over the broader course of the litigation, the Archdiocese reportedly resolved more than 300 abuse claims and paid nearly $90 million in claims and attorney fees.
Sexual abuse by a doctor, nurse, therapist, or other healthcare professional can involve a serious abuse of trust and authority. Depending on the circumstances, survivors may be able to pursue claims against the individual provider as well as a clinic, hospital, medical group, or other institution that employed, supervised, or credentialed that provider.
Notable Oregon Case: Sexual Abuse Claims Against Dr. David Farley
Former West Linn physician Dr. David Farley, has been accused by more than 100 former patients of sexual abuse and misconduct during medical examinations, including allegations involving unnecessary or invasive breast, genital, and rectal exams.
The legal history has changed significantly since this section was originally written. Although a grand jury declined to indict Farley in 2022, the Oregon Department of Justice announced in October 2025 that a Clackamas County grand jury had indicted him on 11 felony charges involving three alleged victims.
Farley and several other defendants later reached settlements with former patients in the related civil litigation. In February 2026, Providence Health, the final remaining defendant, also settled, canceling a civil trial that had been scheduled to begin that month. The settlement amounts were not publicly disclosed.
Older adults and people who depend on caregivers may be especially vulnerable to abuse because of physical limitations, cognitive impairment, isolation, or reliance on staff for basic needs. Sexual abuse in a nursing home, assisted-living facility, or other care setting may give rise to claims against the individual accused of abuse and, depending on the circumstances, the facility responsible for hiring, supervising, or protecting residents.
Notable Oregon Case: Grants Pass Care Facility Employee Arrested
In June 2024, Grants Pass police arrested Michael Anthony Lee, a certified nursing assistant, after allegations of sexual abuse involving elderly residents at a local care facility. Police said the investigation began after the facility reported an alleged incident and that investigators identified both male and female alleged victims. Lee faced two counts of first-degree sexual abuse and two counts of attempted first-degree sexual abuse. Authorities also asked anyone with information about possible additional victims to contact investigators.
Young people held in juvenile correctional facilities are especially vulnerable because staff control nearly every aspect of their daily lives. Lawsuits involving the Oregon Youth Authority allege that some employees used that authority to sexually abuse youth in custody, while supervisors and other staff failed to report, investigate, or prevent misconduct.
Survivors may have potential civil claims not only against individual perpetrators but also against the state or other responsible parties, depending on what officials knew, how complaints were handled, and whether reasonable steps were taken to protect youth in custody.
Notable Oregon Litigation: Widespread Sexual Abuse Allegations Against the Oregon Youth Authority
In September 2024, six former youth in OYA custody filed federal civil-rights lawsuits alleging sexual abuse at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility and Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facility between 2019 and 2023. The lawsuits identified four former staff members as alleged perpetrators and named 11 others for allegedly failing to report or prevent abuse. At least two former employees named in the cases also faced criminal charges.
The allegations later expanded well beyond those initial cases. In March 2025, Governor Tina Kotek dismissed OYA Director Joe O’Leary amid scrutiny of a large backlog of complaints that had not been adequately reviewed. The controversy intensified concerns about whether the agency had effective systems for responding to allegations of abuse and misconduct.
In May 2025, ten former detainees filed a $51 million lawsuit alleging that longtime MacLaren physician Dr. Edward Gary Edwards sexually abused them between 2001 and 2007. Those claims were followed by additional lawsuits. By July 2025, pending claims involving Edwards had grown to 51 plaintiffs and more than $250 million in alleged damages.
The litigation continued to expand. In September 2025, 11 additional men sued OYA over alleged abuse by Edwards, and attorneys involved in the cases said they had filed lawsuits on behalf of 62 alleged victims. OPB reported that more than 70 Edwards-related cases had been consolidated in federal court and assigned to U.S. District Judge Michael McShane, with trials expected to begin in November 2026. A Marion County grand jury was also investigating conditions at MacLaren.
For survivors who experienced sexual abuse while confined in an Oregon juvenile facility, these cases illustrate why it can be important to investigate not only the conduct of an individual staff member, but also whether administrators ignored complaints, failed to supervise employees, or allowed unsafe conditions to continue.
Sexual abuse and misconduct can occur in K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational settings. Depending on the circumstances, potential claims may involve teachers, coaches, administrators, staff members, volunteers, or other students. An Oregon sexual abuse attorney can investigate whether a school or district failed to respond to warning signs, mishandled prior complaints, inadequately supervised employees, or otherwise failed to protect students.
Notable Oregon Case: St. Helens School District Sexual Abuse Litigation
In March 2024, the St. Helens School District agreed to pay $3.5 million to a former student who alleged that teacher and coach Kyle Wroblewski sexually abused her while district officials failed to respond appropriately to years of complaints about his conduct. OPB reported that concerns about Wroblewski’s behavior dated back to 2005 and described the settlement as one of the largest of its kind involving an Oregon public school district.
The district faced additional scrutiny later that year. In November 2024, St. Helens High School choir teacher Eric Stearns and retired teacher Mark Collins were arrested following investigations into allegations of sexual abuse involving students. The arrests contributed to the placement of Superintendent Scot Stockwell and High School Principal Katy Wagner on administrative leave, while School Board Chair Ryan Scholl resigned.
The controversy continued into 2025. An independent investigation released in August 2025 concluded that St. Helens school leaders had failed for years to adequately respond to allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse involving district employees. The report identified systemic problems in how complaints were documented, investigated, and escalated.
For survivors, the St. Helens cases illustrate why school sexual abuse claims may involve more than the alleged conduct of one employee. A civil case may also examine what administrators knew, whether prior complaints were taken seriously, and whether the school or district took reasonable steps to prevent additional harm.
Children placed in foster care depend on foster parents, caseworkers, and state agencies for their safety and well-being. When sexual or physical abuse occurs, potential civil claims may involve not only the individual accused of abuse, but also agencies or officials who allegedly ignored warning signs, failed to investigate complaints, or placed a child in an unsafe home.
Notable Oregon Case: $40 Million Settlement Over Foster Care Abuse
In December 2023, the Oregon Department of Human Services agreed to pay $40 million to settle a federal lawsuit brought by four former foster children who alleged they were subjected to severe sexual and physical abuse while in state custody. The children had been placed with foster parents Melissa and Casey Miller in Keizer, despite allegations that warning signs and reports of abuse were not adequately addressed.
The lawsuit alleged that DHS caseworkers failed to act on evidence of abuse, including injuries, behavioral changes, and reports made by the children. One child was sexually abused by Casey Miller, who was later sentenced to 30 years in prison, while another suffered multiple untreated fractures. The settlement was reported at the time as a record payment by Oregon DHS in a foster-care abuse case.
For survivors, cases like this show why foster care abuse claims may involve broader questions of institutional responsibility. An Oregon sexual abuse attorney can investigate placement decisions, prior complaints, caseworker records, supervision practices, and whether the state or another responsible entity failed to take reasonable steps to protect a child.
People incarcerated in prisons and jails retain legal protections against sexual abuse by correctional officers, medical staff, and other employees. Depending on the circumstances, survivors may have potential civil-rights or other civil claims in addition to remedies available through institutional reporting systems. The federal Prison Rape Elimination Act, commonly known as PREA, also establishes national standards intended to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse in confinement settings.
Notable Oregon Cases: Sexual Abuse at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility
Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, Oregon’s only women’s prison, has been the subject of multiple sexual-abuse cases involving employees who held positions of authority over incarcerated women.
For survivors, cases like these demonstrate how the power imbalance inside correctional settings can make reporting abuse especially difficult. An Oregon sexual abuse attorney can evaluate whether claims may exist against an individual employee, a correctional agency, or other responsible parties based on the facts of the case.
Parents and caregivers rely on daycare centers and preschools to provide a safe environment for young children. When sexual abuse or exploitation occurs, potential claims may involve not only the individual accused of misconduct, but also a facility that allegedly failed to supervise employees, enforce safety policies, investigate warning signs, or take reasonable steps to protect children.
Notable Oregon Case: $27 Million Lawsuit Against Ashland Montessori School
In April 2025, the parents of a young child filed a lawsuit seeking $27 million in damages from Children’s World Montessori School in Ashland. The lawsuit alleges that former teacher Craig Johnson sexually abused and exploited children while working at the school and that the institution failed to adequately respond to warning signs or enforce its own safeguards.
Johnson had previously been arrested following an investigation into alleged child exploitation involving children at the school. By September 2024, a Jackson County grand jury had indicted him on 23 charges, including 14 counts of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct, six attempted counts, two counts of encouraging child sex abuse in the first degree, and one count of first-degree invasion of personal privacy. Authorities said at least six alleged victims had been identified at that stage of the investigation.
The civil lawsuit alleges that the school failed to enforce rules intended to prevent staff members from being alone with children in bathrooms and failed to adequately respond to earlier concerns about Johnson’s conduct. For survivors and families, cases like this illustrate how daycare and preschool abuse claims may involve broader questions about hiring, supervision, safety policies, and whether an institution acted appropriately after warning signs emerged.
Youth organizations, scouting programs, summer camps, and similar organizations place adults in positions of authority and trust over children. When sexual abuse occurs, potential claims may involve not only the individual accused of abuse, but also an organization that allegedly failed to properly screen, supervise, remove, or report an adult who posed a risk to children.
Notable Oregon Case: $19.9 Million Verdict Against the Boy Scouts
In 2010, an Oregon jury awarded $19.9 million to Kerry Lewis, who alleged that former assistant scoutmaster Timur Dykes sexually abused him during the 1980s. The award included approximately $1.4 million in compensatory damages and $18.5 million in punitive damages against the Boy Scouts of America.
The trial also drew national attention to the Boy Scouts’ confidential internal records concerning suspected abusers, commonly referred to as the “Perversion Files.” Jurors were permitted to review roughly 1,000 of those records as part of the case, raising broader questions about how the organization had historically tracked and responded to allegations of abuse.
The Lewis verdict remains a significant Oregon example of how a sexual abuse lawsuit can examine institutional conduct in addition to the actions of an individual perpetrator. An Oregon sexual abuse attorney handling a scouting or camp claim may investigate prior complaints, internal records, supervision practices, background-check procedures, and whether an organization acted on warning signs.
The Boy Scouts litigation later expanded nationwide. Following the organization’s bankruptcy, a $2.46 billion settlement plan was established to compensate survivors who filed claims through the bankruptcy process. The plan became final after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review it in early 2026, allowing the settlement trust to continue distributing compensation to eligible claimants.
Coaches, trainers, athletic staff, and other adults involved in youth sports can hold significant authority over young athletes. When sexual abuse or misconduct occurs, potential claims may involve not only the individual accused of abuse, but also a school, athletic program, club, camp, or other organization that allegedly failed to supervise staff, respond to complaints, or act on warning signs.
An Oregon sexual abuse attorney can help investigate whether prior concerns were reported, how the organization responded, and whether additional individuals or institutions may share responsibility.
See the St. Helens School District case above for an Oregon example involving alleged sexual misconduct by school athletic staff.
Oregon has made major changes to its sexual abuse and assault laws in recent years, including a significant 2025 reform affecting the time survivors have to bring certain civil claims. Because the applicable deadline can depend on when the abuse occurred, the survivor’s age, and the type of claim involved, anyone considering legal action should have the specific facts reviewed rather than assume a claim is either timely or too old.
Oregon enacted House Bill 3582 in 2025, prospectively eliminating the statute of limitations for civil actions based on child sexual abuse or sexual assault. The law took effect on June 26, 2025. Current Oregon law provides that qualifying adult sexual-assault claims may be commenced at any time, and HB 3582 similarly removed the filing deadline for qualifying child sexual abuse claims arising under the amended law.
However, HB 3582 did not create a universal revival window for every claim that had already expired before the law took effect. Older claims may still be governed by Oregon’s previous filing rules, including the prior framework that generally allowed certain childhood sexual-abuse claims to be filed before age 40 or within five years after discovery of the causal connection between the abuse and the resulting injury.
Because of this distinction, survivors of abuse that occurred before June 26, 2025 should not assume that the new law automatically revives—or automatically bars—their claim. An Oregon sexual abuse attorney can evaluate the relevant dates and determine which version of the statute may apply.
Oregon also provides extended time limits for prosecuting many sexual offenses. Under current Oregon law, certain first-degree sex crimes may generally be prosecuted within 20 years, with additional time available when the victim was younger than 18. Other felony sex offenses may generally be prosecuted within six years, subject to special provisions for offenses involving minors, while certain misdemeanor sex offenses generally carry a four-year period with additional rules for minor victims.
The criminal rules are separate from the deadlines governing a survivor’s civil lawsuit. A prosecutor’s ability to pursue criminal charges and a survivor’s ability to seek civil compensation are different legal questions and may be governed by different statutes.
Oregon law requires designated mandatory reporters to report suspected child abuse or neglect to authorities. Mandatory reporters include professionals in fields such as education, healthcare, law enforcement, and social services. Reports may be made to Oregon’s child-abuse reporting system or law enforcement.
Mandatory-reporting requirements are intended to trigger investigation and help protect children, but they are distinct from a survivor’s right to pursue a civil claim.
Oregon’s sexual abuse laws and filing deadlines can be difficult to interpret, especially when the abuse occurred years ago or when recent changes to state law may affect whether a claim can still be filed. You do not need to figure out those rules on your own before asking for legal guidance.
An experienced Oregon sexual abuse attorney can review the specific facts of your situation, explain which statutes of limitations may apply, identify potentially responsible individuals or institutions, and help you understand the legal options available to you.
Every survivor’s circumstances are different. Speaking with an attorney does not obligate you to file a lawsuit or take any particular action. If you have questions about your rights, SurvivorsRights.com may help connect you with an attorney who handles sexual abuse and assault claims in Oregon.
SurvivorsRights.com may help connect you with attorneys who understand that sexual abuse and assault cases require more than legal knowledge alone. A survivor-focused attorney should communicate clearly, respect your privacy, and give you the information you need to make decisions about your case at your own pace.
Speaking with an attorney does not obligate you to file a lawsuit or move forward with a claim. If you are ready to learn more about your legal options, our intake team may help connect you with an Oregon sexual abuse attorney for a confidential case review.
Oregon changed its civil statute-of-limitations laws in 2025. Under House Bill 3582, qualifying civil claims involving child sexual abuse or adult sexual assault arising under the amended law may generally be filed at any time. The law took effect on June 26, 2025.
Older claims can be more complicated because the new law did not automatically revive every claim that had already expired. Depending on when the abuse occurred and the survivor’s age, earlier filing rules may still apply. An Oregon sexual abuse attorney can review the dates and circumstances of a particular case and determine which deadline applies.
Possibly. The age of a claim does not necessarily determine whether it can still be filed. Oregon historically gave survivors of childhood sexual abuse until age 40 or five years after discovering the connection between the abuse and their injuries, and the state substantially expanded filing rights in 2025.
However, the law that applies may depend on when the abuse occurred and whether an older claim had already expired. Survivors should not assume that a decades-old claim is either automatically barred or automatically revived without having the circumstances reviewed.
Potentially, yes. A civil sexual abuse lawsuit is separate from a criminal prosecution. A survivor may be able to pursue a civil claim even if the alleged perpetrator was never arrested, charged, or convicted.
Civil cases also use a different standard of proof than criminal prosecutions. Depending on the claim, a civil lawsuit may seek compensation from the alleged perpetrator, an institution that may share responsibility, or both.
Privacy protections may be available in some sexual abuse cases, including the possible use of a pseudonym such as Jane Doe or John Doe. However, anonymity is not automatic, and whether a survivor may proceed under a pseudonym can depend on the court, the type of case, and the specific circumstances.
An attorney can explain what privacy protections may be available and whether a request to proceed anonymously may be appropriate.
Potentially. Depending on the facts, a school, church, healthcare provider, foster-care agency, youth organization, employer, residential facility, or other institution may face liability in addition to the person accused of committing the abuse.
Potential claims may involve negligent hiring or supervision, failure to respond to complaints or warning signs, or other conduct that allegedly allowed or enabled abuse. Oregon’s 2025 HB 3582 also changed statutory language concerning claims against entities accused of allowing, permitting, or encouraging sexual abuse.
You may. Depending on the circumstances, potential claims could involve a foster parent, private agency, residential facility, the Oregon Department of Human Services, or other individuals or entities responsible for a child’s placement and safety.
Claims involving government agencies can involve additional procedural rules and deadlines beyond the ordinary statute of limitations. Because those requirements can be complex, survivors considering a claim involving state custody or foster care should speak with an attorney promptly.
There is no standard timeline. Some cases may resolve through settlement relatively early, while others can take considerably longer if extensive investigation, discovery, motions, mediation, or a trial is required.
The length of the case may depend on factors such as the age of the allegations, the number of defendants, the amount of evidence involved, whether an institution is named, and whether the parties are willing to negotiate a settlement. An attorney can give you a better sense of the likely timeline after reviewing your specific case.
Speaking with an attorney does not require you to file a lawsuit. You can ask questions, learn about potential filing deadlines, and understand your legal options before deciding whether you want to move forward.
Many civil cases also resolve without a trial, although no particular outcome can be guaranteed. A survivor-focused attorney should explain the possible paths a case could take and allow you to make informed decisions about how you want to proceed.
Oregon prospectively eliminated the statute of limitations for qualifying civil claims involving child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault through House Bill 3582, which became effective June 26, 2025.
The change does not mean that every previously expired claim was automatically revived. Claims involving abuse that occurred before the law took effect may require a more detailed analysis of Oregon’s earlier statutes and discovery rules.
SurvivorsRights.com offers a free initial case review. Attorneys who handle sexual abuse claims commonly work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning attorney fees generally are paid only if compensation is recovered. The law firm should explain its specific fee agreement and any case-related costs before representation begins.
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.