If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault,
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
PLEASE SPEAK UP
RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and en Español.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, you are not alone.
Reaching out for information—whether this happened recently or years ago—can take a great deal of courage. You may have questions, or you may not be sure what you’re ready to do next. There is no pressure to make any decisions right now. We are here to help you understand your options, at your own pace.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we provide a safe, confidential space for survivors who want to learn more about their legal rights. You control what you share, and when. Our role is to listen, answer your questions clearly, and support you if and when you decide to move forward.
Table of contents
- If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault,
- How We Support Survivors Through the Legal Process
- How Does Illinois Law Define Sexual Abuse?
- What Is the Difference Between a Civil Lawsuit and a Criminal Case?
- How Long Do You Have to File a Sexual Abuse Claim in Illinois?
- Who May Be Held Accountable in a Chicago Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
- Ask Abels & Annes, P.C.
- What Compensation May Be Available to Sexual Abuse Survivors
- FAQs for Chicago Sexual Abuse Claims
- A Track Record of Holding Institutions Accountable
- When You Are Ready, We Are Here
How We Support Survivors Through the Legal Process
Sexual abuse cases require a different kind of approach. Legal guidance should never come at the expense of your comfort, privacy, or sense of control.
You Set the Pace
There is no “right” timeline for taking action. Some survivors reach out quickly. Others take months or years. Both are valid.
Our attorneys do not pressure you to move forward. The initial consultation is free and confidential, and it is simply a conversation. You can ask questions, learn about your options, and decide what—if anything—you want to do next.
Your Privacy Comes First
We take your confidentiality seriously at every stage.
That includes:
- Keeping all conversations private
- Limiting what information is shared and when
- Using legal tools, such as protective orders or pseudonyms, when appropriate
You deserve to understand your options without worrying about your identity being exposed.
Clear Information, Without Pressure
Legal processes can feel overwhelming. Our job is to explain things in a way that is straightforward and manageable.
If you’re ready, we can walk you through:
- What a civil case involves
- How it differs from a criminal case
- What timelines may apply under Illinois law
If you’re not ready, that’s okay too. You can come back to this information whenever you feel comfortable.
Holding Individuals and Institutions Accountable
When abuse occurs, responsibility may extend beyond the individual who caused harm. Institutions that failed to prevent or address abuse may also be held accountable.
Our firm has represented survivors in cases involving both individuals and organizations. While every case is different, our focus is always the same: helping survivors understand their rights and pursue accountability in a way that aligns with their goals.
When you’re ready, contact us. We can provide the information you need to make an informed decision.
Free Consultations Available 24/7. No Fee Unless You Win. Call for a confidential consultation: (312) 924-7575.
Legal services are provided in English, Spanish, and Polish.
How Does Illinois Law Define Sexual Abuse?
Illinois defines sexual abuse broadly to encompass any non-consensual sexual act, including sexual conduct and sexual penetration as defined in Section 11-0.1 of the Criminal Code of 2012 (720 ILCS 5/11-0.1). These acts include unwanted touching, fondling, penetration, and exposure.
Consent is not legally valid when the survivor is legally too young to consent, is unable to give knowing consent, or is coerced through force, threats, manipulation, or abuse of authority.
The law recognizes that sexual abuse occurs across a spectrum of settings, relationships, and circumstances, and that survivors of all ages deserve a legal path to accountability.
What Is the Difference Between a Civil Lawsuit and a Criminal Case?
Many survivors are uncertain about their legal options because they associate justice solely with the criminal system. A civil lawsuit for sexual abuse operates independently from any criminal prosecution and provides a different set of remedies.
What a Criminal Case Does
A criminal case is brought by the state against the accused. The burden of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt, the highest standard in the legal system. The outcome, if there is a conviction, is punishment through incarceration, probation, or registration requirements.
The survivor does not control whether criminal charges are filed. That decision belongs to the prosecutor.
What a Civil Lawsuit Does
A civil lawsuit is brought by the survivor against the abuser and any institution that enabled the abuse. The burden of proof is a preponderance of the evidence, a significantly lower standard than in criminal court. The outcome is financial compensation for the harm the survivor suffered.
A civil case may succeed even if the criminal case results in no charges, an acquittal, or a plea to reduced charges.
Our sexual abuse attorneys in Chicago help survivors understand both paths and pursue civil claims regardless of the status of any criminal proceeding.
How Long Do You Have to File a Sexual Abuse Claim in Illinois?
Illinois law provides different filing deadlines depending on the age you were at the time of the abuse.
Childhood Sexual Abuse
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2, many childhood sexual abuse claims may be filed at any time, unless the claim was already time-barred before Illinois changed the law. Illinois law also applies a liberal discovery rule that recognizes the unique nature of childhood trauma.
The filing deadline does not begin until you discover both that the abuse occurred and that your injuries were caused by the abuse. Knowledge that the abuse happened is not, by itself, sufficient to start the clock.
For claims that were not already time-barred before the 2014 amendment (P.A. 98-276), subsection (f) of the statute provides that an action for damages based on childhood sexual abuse may be commenced at any time.
Adult Sexual Abuse
Adult survivors generally have two years from the date of the abuse to file a civil claim under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. This deadline is significantly shorter, which makes early legal consultation especially important for adult survivors.
Tolling for Threats or Intimidation
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2(d-1), periods during which the survivor faced threats or intimidation designed to prevent them from filing do not count toward the statute of limitations. This protection recognizes that abusers and institutions often use coercion to keep survivors silent.
A sexual abuse attorney at Abels & Annes, P.C. evaluates the specific timeline for each case and advises survivors on the deadlines that apply to their situation. Even if the abuse occurred years or decades ago, there may still be a viable path to a civil claim, depending on the timeline of personal injury case
Call our Chicago office at (312) 924-7575 to discuss your options confidentially.
Who May Be Held Accountable in a Chicago Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
Accountability in a sexual abuse case extends beyond the individual who committed the abuse. When institutions knew about the abuse, failed to prevent it, or actively concealed it, Illinois law allows survivors to hold those organizations responsible.
The Individual Abuser
The person who committed the sexual abuse bears direct legal liability for the harm caused. A civil lawsuit against the abuser seeks compensation for physical, emotional, and financial damages. This claim does not require a criminal conviction, which is an important distinction when understanding how a personal injury lawsuit works
Institutions That Enabled or Concealed the Abuse
Many sexual abuse cases involve organizations that created the conditions for abuse to occur or that failed to act when warning signs appeared. Institutions that may share liability in a Chicago sexual abuse cases include:
- Religious organizations that transferred known abusers between parishes, ignored complaints from victims or families, or actively concealed abuse reports from law enforcement
- Schools and educational institutions that failed to conduct adequate background checks on teachers, coaches, or staff, or that ignored reports of inappropriate conduct
- Healthcare facilities where physicians, therapists, or staff exploited the trust and vulnerability inherent in the provider-patient relationship
- Youth programs, sports organizations, and residential care facilities that placed children in unsupervised contact with adults who had prior complaints or known histories
Each of these institutions may face liability for negligent hiring, negligent supervision, negligent retention, or failure to report under Illinois mandatory reporting laws. Our attorneys investigate the full chain of responsibility and pursue claims against every party whose conduct contributed to the harm, including actions that may support a sue for negligence claim.
Employers and Supervisors
Supervisors who ignored signs of abuse, dismissed complaints, or retaliated against those who reported misconduct may bear individual liability in addition to the institutional claim. Companies that failed to implement adequate reporting procedures, conduct background checks, or follow up on internal complaints may share responsibility for the abuse that occurred under their watch.
Ask Abels & Annes, P.C.
Q: What if the abuse happened years ago and I am just now ready to come forward?
A: Illinois provides extended filing deadlines for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2, many childhood sexual abuse claims may be filed at any time, though older claims require a case-specific deadline review. A discovery rule recognizes that survivors may not connect their injuries to the abuse until long after it occurred.
Q: Do I have to report the abuse to the police before filing a civil lawsuit?
A: A civil lawsuit does not require a police report or criminal prosecution. Many survivors pursue civil claims without ever engaging the criminal justice system. The civil and criminal paths are legally independent, and a civil case may proceed regardless of whether criminal charges are filed.
Q: What if the institution that enabled the abuse has closed or merged?
A: Successor organizations, parent entities, or insurance policies that covered the institution at the time of the abuse may still provide a source of compensation. An attorney investigates the institutional history and identifies every potentially liable party, even when the original organization no longer operates under the same name.
What Compensation May Be Available to Sexual Abuse Survivors
Financial compensation does not undo the harm. It does, however, provide survivors with resources to access treatment, rebuild stability, and hold responsible parties accountable in a way that deters future misconduct.
Medical and Therapy Costs
Survivors of sexual abuse often require long-term care, including trauma-focused therapy, psychiatric treatment, medication, and, in some cases physical rehabilitation. A civil claim seeks recovery for all past and anticipated future treatment costs related to the abuse.
Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Harm
Illinois law recognizes the profound psychological and emotional injuries caused by sexual abuse. Compensation may include damages for anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, sleep disturbance, difficulty maintaining relationships, and diminished quality of life, all of which can be used to prove my pain and suffering
Lost Income and Earning Capacity
Trauma from sexual abuse may disrupt a survivor's ability to work, maintain employment, or pursue career advancement. A claim may include both lost wages and any documented reduction in future earning capacity.
Punitive Damages
When the abuser's conduct or the institution's concealment is particularly egregious, Illinois courts may award punitive damages. These damages go beyond compensating the survivor and serve to penalize the responsible party and deter similar conduct by others.
FAQs for Chicago Sexual Abuse Claims
What is the difference between sexual abuse and sexual assault under Illinois law?
Sexual assault generally refers to acts involving sexual penetration, while sexual abuse may include unwanted sexual touching or fondling. Both categories support civil claims for damages. The legal distinction may affect the criminal charges, but it does not limit a survivor's right to pursue compensation.
May I file a civil claim if the abuser was never criminally charged?
Yes. A civil lawsuit requires a lower burden of proof than a criminal case. In a civil claim, you must show that the abuse more likely than not occurred, rather than proving it beyond a reasonable doubt. Many civil claims succeed even when no criminal charges were filed, when charges were dropped, or when the criminal case resulted in an acquittal.
What if I am not sure whether my experience qualifies as sexual abuse?
You may question whether what happened to you rises to the level of a legal claim. An attorney at Abels & Annes, P.C. listens to your account in a confidential setting and provides an honest evaluation of whether the facts support a civil claim. There is no cost or obligation for this conversation with a personal injury attorney.
What happens during a sexual abuse civil lawsuit?
A civil lawsuit typically begins with filing a complaint that identifies the defendant(s) and the harm caused. The case enters a discovery phase where both sides exchange evidence, including documents, depositions, and records. Many cases resolve through negotiated settlements before trial. If a fair resolution is not reached, the case may proceed to a jury trial.
What happens to my privacy if the case goes to trial?
Survivors who file a civil lawsuit do not automatically lose their privacy. Illinois courts may grant protective orders that restrict the disclosure of youridentity and sensitive personal information. In many sexual abuse cases, plaintiffs file under pseudonyms such as "Jane Doe" or "John Doe" to keep their names out of public court records.
A Track Record of Holding Institutions Accountable
Abels & Annes, P.C. has represented survivors in civil actions against individuals and institutions responsible for sexual abuse. Our Chicago institutional sexual abuse attorneys have achieved significant recoveries in cases involving institutional concealment and clergy misconduct:
- $3,200,000 recovery as co-counsel in a claim against the Archdiocese of Chicago, Cardinal George, and the Catholic Bishop of Chicago involving abuse of a minor by former Rev. Daniel McCormack. $300,000 was placed in escrow for services. The plaintiff's identity remains confidential.
- $3,150,000 recovery as co-counsel in a separate claim against the Archbishop of Chicago involving abuse committed by former Rev. Daniel McCormack. The plaintiff, a minor at the time of the abuse, remains confidential.
These recoveries reflect the firm's commitment to pursuing accountability at the institutional level, not just against individual abusers. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
When You Are Ready, We Are Here
The decision to pursue legal action after sexual abuse is deeply personal. There is no right timeline. Some survivors reach out within weeks. Others wait years or decades before they are ready.
Whenever that moment arrives, Abels & Annes, P.C. provides a safe, confidential space to talk through the options.
Free consultations with a Chicago sexual abuse lawyer are available by phone, video, or in person. Our attorneys also may travel to survivors who are unable to visit our Chicago or Evanston offices. No Fee Unless You Win. Call (312) 924-7575 when you are ready.