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Federal Rule of Evidence 412, commonly known as the federal rape shield law, generally limits the use of a sexual assault or abuse survivor’s private sexual history in federal court. Learn what the rule prohibits, which exceptions may apply and how survivors can protect their privacy in criminal and civil cases.
Catholic dioceses across the United States have paid billions to resolve clergy sexual abuse claims. From Los Angeles to Boston, these settlements reveal how survivor litigation and bankruptcy reshaped church accountability.
Many survivors do not realize until adulthood that anxiety, depression, or relationship struggles trace back to earlier abuse. This guide explains how the delayed discovery rule works and why it may give survivors more time to file a claim.
California’s laws for sexual abuse survivors are changing, but not always easy to understand. This guide breaks down the 2026 statute of limitations, NDA rights, and new rape kit reforms in clear, survivor-focused language.
Federal law once made it easy for institutions to lose evidence and silence survivors. The Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act changed that by preserving evidence, expanding access to forensic records and giving survivors real leverage when deciding to report or file a legal claim years later.
After sexual abuse or assault, survivors often worry about retaliation, threats, or unwanted digital access from the perpetrator or affiliated institution. Protecting your online privacy
After sexual abuse or assault, what you do next is deeply personal. There is no right or wrong way to respond. But if there is
When survivors of clergy or institutional sexual abuse come forward in large numbers, institutions such as dioceses, churches, and schools sometimes respond by filing for
Suppose that years ago, a young person experiences an act of sexual abuse or assault. It happens once, but the emotional aftershocks ripple through decades
Let’s talk about math. Why math? What does it have to do with surviving sexual abuse or assault and working toward experiencing joy in life
Their stories were once hidden by fear and stigma. Now, high-profile male survivors like Terry Crews and Brendan Fraser are reshaping how the world sees sexual abuse.
These days, more people openly talk about therapy than ever before. Yet stigma still lingers—the idea that seeking therapy means you’re “broken” or “deficient.” Nothing
Most institutional sexual abuse cases settle before they ever reach a courtroom. Settlements benefit survivors by offering quicker compensation and not having to undergo the
After experiencing sexual assault, use this checklist to take small, practical steps that can help you feel more secure. Choose what works for you. There’s
After experiencing something as traumatic as a non-consensual assault, in a perfect world survivors would walk into centers designed just for them, spaces with soft