Insight

A Guide for Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors

This booklet is to help you understand your options and, in particular, help you decide whether suing those responsible for the sexual abuse is the right choice for you.

Erin Ellis

Written by Erin Ellis

Published: August 28, 2024

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 crimes. Survivors of sexual assaults often keep these crimes secret because of threats, fear, guilt or shame.

At Jellinek Ellis Gluckstein Lawyers, our focus is on you and helping you become empowered through suing. If you choose to sue, we will guide you through the process and help you obtain a successful outcome.

We also understand that success does not mean the same thing to everyone. For some survivors, knowing they can sue is enough. For others, obtaining as much compensation as possible is what they need to feel successful. Either way, the lawyers and staff at Jellinek Ellis Gluckstein Law Office will help you with your options and journey.

Childhood sexual abuse cases are unique and complex. There are few lawyers in Canada that have our level of knowledge and experience.

For some survivors, exploring the possibility of taking action against the abuser(s) is an important part of the healing process. There are options available.

This booklet is to help you understand your options and, in particular, help you decide whether suing those responsible for the sexual abuse is the right choice for you.

If you were sexually assaulted, 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. You may have experienced fear, guilt, hopelessness, depression, anger and confusion. You may have turned to drugs or alcohol to numb the pain.

Many survivors of childhood sexual abuse come to the realization that the pain they have is rooted in the abuse they suffered as children. Sometimes decades pass before a survivor is able to break the silence and start healing.

Please click here to download our free guide.


Trending Articles

Recognizing Legal Leaders: The 2027 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan and Singapore


by Jamilla Tabbara

Market drivers, diversity trends and the elite practitioners shaping the legal landscape.

Illustrated maps of Australia, Japan and Singapore displayed with their national flags, representing

How Far Back Can the IRS Audit You?


by Bryan Driscoll

Clear answers on IRS statutes of limitations, recordkeeping and what to do if you are under review.

Gloved hand holding a spread of one-hundred-dollar bills near an IRS tax document

Musk v. Altman: The Lawyers Behind the Case


by Jamilla Tabbara

Meet the Trial Lawyers Shaping One of AI's Biggest Legal Disputes.

Portrait photos of Elon Musk and Sam Altman positioned in front of the OpenAI logo.

The Best Lawyers in France 2027: Peer-Reviewed Excellence


by Jamilla Tabbara

Seventeen editions of peer trust, a growing profession and a dynamic legal market.

3D Map of France with National Flag Graphic

Announcing the 2027 Best Lawyers Awards: Austria, Germany and Switzerland


by Jamilla Tabbara

Celebrating the legal professionals throughout Central Europe.

Graphic displaying three-dimensional map cutouts of Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

The Legal Teams Behind the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni Settlement


by Grace Greer

A closer look at the legal teams and attorneys involved in the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni litigation and its resolution.

Split-screen image of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni

How AI Is Changing the Way Clients Find Lawyers


by Jamilla Tabbara

Best Lawyers CEO Phil Greer explains how AI-driven search tools are reshaping legal marketing and why credibility markers matter.

AI chat bubble icon with stars representing artificial intelligence transforming client-lawyer conne

Colorado’s 2026 Water Rights Battles


by Bryan Driscoll

A new era of conflict begins.

Colorado Water Rights 2026: A New Era of Conflict headline

When Is It Too Late to Stop Foreclosure?


by Bryan Driscoll

Understanding the foreclosure timeline, critical deadlines and the legal options that may still protect your home.

Miniature house model on orange background surrounded by thumbtacks representing foreclosure

Can You Go to Jail at an Arraignment?


by Bryan Driscoll

Understanding What Happens at Your First Court Appearance.

A heavy chain lying on the ground in the foreground with a blurred figure standing in the background

What’s the Difference Between DUI and DWI?


by Bryan Driscoll

Understanding the terminology and consequences of impaired driving charges.

Driver during nighttime police traffic stop with officer's flashlight shining through car window

How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer


by Bryan Driscoll

Finding the right legal representation after an injury is a critical decision that requires careful evaluation. 

3D scene representing the deliberative process of choosing a personal injury attorney

What Happens if You Don't File Taxes


by Bryan Driscoll

The penalties are real, but so are your options. Here's what the IRS can do and what you can do about it.

A torn dollar bill revealing a watchful eye, surrounded by flying documents

When to Get a Lawyer for Work Injury


by Bryan Driscoll

Understanding your rights and navigating the complexity of workers’ compensation claims.

Injured worker receiving medical attention at workplace

What Disqualifies You From Filing Bankruptcies


by Bryan Driscoll

A guide to navigating eligibility, the means test and the legal hurdles of declaring bankruptcy.

A silhouette of a large hand pushing over a row of falling dominos toward a small figure standing be

Legal Separation vs. Divorce


by Bryan Driscoll

A clear guide to understanding the legal, financial and emotional differences between separating and ending a marriage.

Miniature figures of two people standing apart with a child figure between them on a cracked surface