Confronting your abuser legally can be extremely challenging and disruptive to your life. The legal process is adversarial and the standards of proof required to obtain a civil judgment are not easy to meet by testimony related to memory, memory retrieval or psychological interpretations.

Most importantly, suing your abuser may bring all of the old feelings of hurt, shame, guilt, anger and sadness to the forefront of your mind. You may need to relive the abuse experiences in court.

For this reason, it is important for you to consider if you have sufficient support and feel grounded in the recovery process to withstand the pressure and stress that will accompany a decision to pursue legal action. However, the process of commencing legal action, if pursued, has the potential to restore a feeling of control over one's life and cause one to feel that a weight has been lifted from one's shoulders by putting the blame where it rightfully belongs.

Helping Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse claims can be brought by an adult, or by an adult on behalf of a child. All claims are extremely sensitive, and it takes strength to pursue them. Accordingly it is important to have sufficient support if you choose to pursue legal action.

At the Law Office of Daniel B. Shapiro in Montclair, New Jersey, I work with sexual abuse victims to help them heal. I will help you navigate the emotional roller coaster you will face during the legal process.

New Jersey's sexual abuse statute states that in any civil action for injury or illness based on sexual abuse, the cause of action shall accrue at the time of reasonable discovery of the injury and its causal relationship to the act of sexual abuse. Once the injury is "discovered," an action must be brought within two years.

Because I am sensitive to the emotional injuries and roadblocks that prevent earlier disclosure of the abuse and appreciation of the injuries sustained, I bring that experience to you and to your case to help you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.

One of the first steps I recommend is to have a survivor of childhood sexual abuse meet with a therapist who is experienced with diagnosing and treating the trauma that can result from coming to terms with the abuse. This provides a full understanding of how the abuse has impacted the survivor's life, which allows us to build a compelling and convincing lawsuit.

Meet With A New Jersey Attorney Who Is Sensitive To What You are Experiencing

Deciding to bring a lawsuit is a difficult question, one that can only be answered by examining your feelings. If you have questions about what to expect from the legal process, I invite you to contact me to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Meeting with an empathetic attorney who understands your ordeal can be a significant step in the healing process.