Institutional Sex Abuse Lawyers
Helping Survivors of Institutional Sex Abuse Move Forward
Through compassionate, experienced legal advocacy, Chaffin Luhana helps survivors of institutional sex abuse rebuild their lives.
What People Say About Chaffin Luhana
More Than 1,200 Five-Star Reviews
We Reinforce Your Bravery with Our Know-How
Coming forward after institutional sex abuse takes strength and courage. Filing a civil claim protects yourself and others.
Institutional abuse and sexual assault can inflict lifelong trauma on the survivor that can take decades to heal from. Institutional abuse is abuse the occurs in an institutional setting like a school, church or nursing home and can be inflicted on a child, an elder and persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Institutional abuse includes abuse by an adult or caretaker, as well as peer-to-peer abuse.
Institutional sexual assault is non-consensual or unwanted physical contact between two people, including inappropriate touching, that occurs at an institution like a college, hospital, or prison. Institutional sexual assault occurs while the survivor is under the institution’s care.
Many perpetrators that abuse in institutional settings have multiple victims. Holding them and the institutions they work for, or with, accountable helps protect others. If you, your child, or a loved one is the survivor of sex abuse or sexual assault while under the care of an institution, organization, or company, our sex abuse lawyers will walk side-by-side with you every step of the way.
Institutional Sex Abuse and Assault Claims
Institutional Abuse can Take Many Forms
We hold space for your story and your trauma. You will be believed. We will help you move forward.
Boarding School and Youth Camp Abuse
Children abused at boarding school or youth camp, while they are out of their parents’ care for extended periods of time, can experience a unique sense of loneliness and trauma. Our sex abuse lawyers support you through your recovery.
Campus and College Sexual Assault
One in five women and one in sixteen men are sexually assaulted while in college. Schools have a responsibility to protect the safety of their students. When they don’t, our institutional sexual assault lawyers get you the support you need to move forward.
Clergy Abuse
Clergy members who commit sex abuse don’t just violate survivors’ trust; they violate the faith they are supposed to espouse. Our sex abuse lawyers face the church with you, to hold them accountable for their failings.
Coach and Sports Organization Abuse
Participation in youth sports is supposed to build confidence and elicit positive core memories for children. When a coach or sports organization corrupts these memories by violating the trust of both child and parent, the road to recovery is long. Our sex abuse lawyers travel it with you.
Foster Care/CPS Abuse
In many ways, foster children must walk through the world alone. We walk side-by-side with survivors of foster care and CPS abuse, supporting you through your recovery with more than just financial compensation.
Nursing Home Sex Abuse
Discovering nursing home sex abuse of a loved one can leave you reeling. It can upend the plans you had for their care and leave you wondering how to move forward. We get you the resources you need to help your loved one heal and ensure they receive better care.
School and Daycare Abuse
Discovering abuse after you’ve entrusted a school or daycare with your child inflicts long-lasting trauma on both of you. We hold these institutions accountable, so you and your child receive the care you need to heal.
Over $1 Billion Recovered to Help Clients Move Forward
We help injury survivors recover compensation for:
Emotional Distress
Pain and Suffering
Long-Term Care Needs
Medical Expenses
Sexual Abuse or Assault Claims
Sexual Abuse or Assault can Take Many Forms
Every 98 seconds an American is sexually assaulted. You don’t have to be sure “if it counts.” Tell us your story. If we can help, we will.
Human Trafficking & Exploitation
There are many types of human trafficking and exploitation. Our trauma-informed approach to cases helps all survivors reclaim their dignity.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is a form of workplace discrimination that can lead to emotional trauma and lost income. We help you reclaim your power and your career.
Rideshare Sexual Assault
Unfortunately, Uber and Lyft don’t always provide safe environments for their riders. We’re here to hold these companies accountable so you can heal.
Online & Technology-Facilitated Exploitation
Child exploitation is a danger on many digital platforms. Our sexual abuse lawyers hold responsible parties accountable for their actions. Types of online and tech exploitation include:
- Online Sexual Predator Cases
- Roblox / Discord / Gaming Platform Exploitation
- Social Media Grooming
Our Legal Team
Institutional Sex Abuse Lawyers Who Care
We believe in showing up for our clients every step of the way.
With more than 250 years of combined experience, our attorneys, social workers, nurses, and legal professionals lead with care and fight with purpose.
Why People Choose Chaffin Luhana
It’s Not Just What We Do. It’s How We Show Up for the People We Serve.
We Listen First. Then We Lead.
We know traumatic stories can be are hard to tell. We’ll never rush you or judge you. We make space for what you’ve been through before we build a path forward.
Relentlessly Skilled. Fiercely Human.
Our team includes seasoned trial lawyers, former prosecutors, nurses, paralegals, and social workers, — combining sharp legal strategy with real compassion. You’ll feel both.
Known for Results. Remembered for Care.
Winning your case matters. But helping you move forward — legally, emotionally, and financially — is what sets us apart.
Nationwide Reach: Local Offices in Connecticut, New York, Pittsburgh, and West Virginia
Healing Takes Time
Chaffin Luhana is here for you.
Sexual Abuse FAQs
1. What Is Sex Abuse?
The American Psychological Association (APA) defines sexual abuse as nonconsensual or exploitative sexual behavior, or sexual behavior forced on a victim who cannot give consent. This term is typically used to refer to sexual contact between an adult and a child but can occur within any trusting relationship.
2. What Is Consent?
According to RAINN, consent is the mutual, clearly expressed agreement to engage in sexual activity. The “yes” must be given without coercion, force, or hesitancy, and it can be withdrawn at any time.
3. What is Institutional Sex Abuse?
Institutional sex abuse is when the sex abuse occurs while the victim is under the care of an institution like a day care, boarding school, sports organization, hospital, church or nursing home. The abuser can be an employee, volunteer, visitor, student, program participant, inmate, or patient of the institution. The abuser can be a trusted adult or authority figure, but they can also be a peer of the victim. The abuser could be an individual acting on their own, or there could be multiple abusers. When abuse occurs in an institutional setting, there are often multiple victims.
4. What is Institutional Sexual Assault?
Institutional sexual assault is any non-consensual or unwanted sexual contact between two people while one of them is under the care of the institution. This sexual contact can span the spectrum of inappropriate touching to rape. Examples of institutions where these assaults can occur are hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, and college campuses.
Assaulters can be employees of the institution, like a nurse at a hospital, visitors to the institution, vendors that work with the institution, or students, inmates, or patients of the institution. Survivors of institutional sexual assault are students, patients or inmates who are under the care of these institutions when they experience the sexual violence.
5. What are the Different Types of Institutional Sex Abuse Cases?
We support institutional sex abuse survivors through the following types of cases:
- School and Day Care Sex Abuse
- Clergy Sex Abuse
- Foster Care and CPS Sex Abuse
- Boarding School and Youth Camp Sex Abuse
- Nursing Home Sex Abuse
- Campus and College Sexual Assault
- Sports Programs Sex Abuse
6. When Should I Hire a Sexual Abuse Lawyer?
If you believe you or a loved one has been subjected to unwanted sexual contact, our sexual abuse lawyers are ready to hear your story. You will never be rushed or pressured into any kind of action. Receive a free case review today.
Our sex abuse lawyers will listen to your story, explain your legal options, and help protect your rights. You don’t have to face this alone. A free, confidential consultation can help you understand the next steps and decide how you’d like to move forward.
Award-Winning. Client Focused.
Insights From an Attorney for Institutional Sex Abuse