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Childhood Sexual Abuse
Trust Destroyed
Children are often innocent victims of sexual assault.
It's an unfortunate fact that both girls and boys are sexually abused by the adults responsible for their care. The perpetrators are people who gain a child’s trust, only to destroy that trust in the most horrific ways.
If you were sexually assaulted as a child, your life has probably been affected in many ways. Almost everything about you may have suffered – your relationships, your education, and your career may have all been hurt by the childhood trauma.
Survivors of childhood sexual assault often live their whole lives not understanding where the pain comes from. Why they haven't accomplished much with their lives. Why they keep turning to drugs or alcohol. Many people come to a realization, often well into adulthood, that the pain they've had their whole lives is rooted in the sexual abuse they endured as children.
Sometimes, exploring the possibility of taking action against the abuser(s) is an important part of the healing process. Whether or not you ultimately decide to sue the perpetrator(s) is your choice. We help give you the information you need to make the choice that's right for you.
Do I have a Claim?
If you were sexually assaulted as a child, you may have a claim against the person who assaulted you, or against other people who can be found responsible.
For example:
- a Children’s Aid Society may be held responsible for sexual abuse by a foster parent
- a church may be held responsible for a priest’s abuse
- a sports franchise may be held responsible for abuse by a coach
There are many situations where others can, and should be, held responsible because they either didn't do anything about abuse they were aware of, or they didn't provide proper supervision, allowing the abuse to happen.
We have been successful in obtaining compensation for our clients in many situations where the abuse occurred decades ago and the perpetrators were deceased. Someone else may not have physically committed the abuse, but they may be just as responsible for the pain you have endured throughout your life.
It is important to realize that even if the sexual assaults happened years ago, you may still be able to report the assaults to police, and/or sue those responsible. We can help you through this often confusing process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
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Blog & News.
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Simona Jellinek Discusses Judicial Vacancies and Their Effect on Sexual Abuse Survivors
Recently, Simona Jellinek was a guest on CBC Radio's "As It Happens" and discussed a pressing issue: the alarming shortage of judges and the resulting dismissal of sexual abuse cases from our criminal...Read Full Story -
One More Tool in the Toolbox: Reflections on the Online Harms Act
On February 24, 2024, the Canadian government brought its long-awaited Online Harms Act (Bill C-63) to Parliament. This substantive and expansive legislation is intended to reduce users’ exposure to h...Read Full Story -
Shedding Light On Sexual Abuse - What Are A Survivor’s Options
Sexual abuse and sexual assaults are crimes where one or more perpetrators engage in unwanted sexual activity with a person who does not or cannot consent to it. It can happen to anyone. And it does h...Read Full Story -
Will a BC Court Ruling on Sexual Assault Defamation Have a Chilling Effect on Survivors
If you have followed the news about a recent BC Court of Appeal ruling which permitted a high-profile person accused of sexual assault to bring a defamation case to trial, certain headlines and articl...Read Full Story -
What Crown Ward Sexual Abuse Survivors Need to Know
As a lawyer with practice focussed on sexual abuse and sexual assault, I’m used to feeling angry. Usually that anger is born out of hearing how an individual and/or institutional abuser has harmed a s...Read Full Story -
Navigating the Aftermath of Sexual Abuse in Sports
In the realm of sports, where the focus often centers around discipline, achievement, and camaraderie, there lies a darker side that remains tucked away far too often—abuse. It's a sobering reality th...Read Full Story
Events.
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Upcoming
Understanding Your Legal Options as a Sexual Abuse Survivor
If you've experienced sexual abuse, we're here to help. We will discuss legal options for individuals who have experienced abuse in: Children's Aid, Foster and/or Adoptive HomesSchool C...Continue Reading -
Past
Legal Options For Your Clients’ Healing Journeys: An Information Session for Service Providers Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Injury
Jellinek Ellis Gluckstein presents "Legal Options For Your Clients’ Healing Journey: An Information Session for Service Providers Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Injury."This is a free event fo...Continue Reading -
Past
Supporting Survivors of Sexual Abuse Conference 2023 - Innovative and Emerging Pathways to Healing
"Innovative and Emerging Pathways to Healing"At Jellinek Ellis Gluckstein Lawyers we employ a survivor-centered approach, recognizing the unique needs and challenges faced by survivors. We work hard e...Continue Reading
Podcasts & Videos.
Guides & Papers.
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Guide
A Guide for Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors
Anyone can be sexually assaulted. Girls, boys, women and men can all be the victims of sexual predators. Often the very people you’re supposed to trust are the perpetrators of these horrible crim...Continue Reading
Compassionate advocacy when you need it most. You are not alone.
At Jellinek Ellis Gluckstein Personal Injury Lawyers, the initial meeting is free and without obligation on your part – and we never charge you legal fees until your claim is settled.