Sacramento Sexual Assault Lawyers
At Cutter Law P.C., we understand just how much of a toll sexual assault and abuse cases take on survivors. We also know how difficult it can be to come forward and hold your abuser responsible for their actions. We’ll make sure you’re as comfortable and well-taken-care-of as humanly possible throughout the entire process. We’ll be there for you every step of the way.
What is sexual abuse?
Sexual abuse is a situation where a person in a position of power uses that power to exploit a vulnerable person for sexual gain. So, a coach with an athlete or a teacher with a student are two examples.
Who can sue for sexual abuse in Sacramento?
In California, sexual abuse victims can sue as long as they’re within the statute of limitation. So, anybody who’s been a victim of sexual abuse, whether it be Boy Scout cases, students, athletes—these are all the types of people who are often sexually abused in a setting where there’s a responsible institution: a school, a team, a gym. All these are the types of people who can sue for sexual abuse.
What damages can be recovered for sexual abuse?
In a civil lawsuit, a survivor may receive compensatory damages that pay for the financial losses they might have experienced because of the abuse. A victim may receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages due to time off work, physical or psychological therapies, and lost future earnings due to physical or emotional harm. Some lawsuits also award plaintiffs punitive damages, those reserved for particularly terrible crimes.
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Featured Sexual Assault Attorney
Attorney Celine Cutter is on leadership for the plaintiffs in the Uber rideshare sexual assault cases. Celine is responsible for maintaining communications between all the different attorneys, the court, and the defendants.
From start to finish, Celine Cutter took great care in guiding me through the process.
Who else can be held liable for a sexual assault?
Many consider sex crimes a crime with two participants: the victim and the perpetrator. However, there are some instances where additional people or entities may play a part in the crime. In some civil cases, a third party may be held liable by the court when they violate a “duty of care” requirement to the victim.
For example, suppose an assault or sex crime occurs at work or a school. The court may hold the company or school responsible if these entities fail to provide adequate protection to the victim through proper supervision or security.
One notable example of a third-party liability is when a person is assaulted while in an Uber or Lyft rideshare vehicle. Under the law, these companies may be held responsible for sexual assaults committed by a driver.
What to Do After a Sexual Assault in Sacramento
Here are the important steps you should take after a sexual assault in Sacramento to protect your rights:
Contact the Police
One of the most critical steps a survivor can take after experiencing a sex crime is to contact the police to report the crime and go to a hospital. A medical professional will conduct an exam and collect critical evidence to help identify an assailant. Pieces of evidence collected may include fibers from clothing, bodily fluids, and hair. Some survivors may also have a sample of cervical tissue taken for laboratory analysis.
Rights of Sexual Assault Survivors in California
Some of the rights given to survivors of sexual assault crime in California come from the Sexual Assault Survivor’s Bill of Rights, PC 680.2 / AB 1312. Survivors may ask for a Court Order for protection, ask questions about test results and evidence from the assault, and apply for financial assistance to help pay for costs related to the assault, as well as ask for other information related to their experience. Survivors have the choice to get a physical exam, participate in a criminal case, and report the assault.
Request Information
Also, under the legislation, sexual assault survivors can request information from the California Attorney General’s Victims’ Services Unit in Sacramento for information such as rape kit results and any information entered into the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Tracking (SAFE-T) database. SAFE-T is a repository of evidence collected and processed from sexual assault evidence (SAE) kits. Senate Bill 215 was approved in October 2021 and amended Penal Code §§ 680.1 and 680.3.
Seek Legal Assistance
In the difficult time after a sex crime occurs, survivors may wish to obtain the services of a California sexual abuse lawyer. An experienced attorney can help protect the survivor’s rights, as well as help file a restraining order when needed or file a civil lawsuit for possible monetary compensation from the accused. There is no single path that a survivor must take after experiencing an assault, but law enforcement agents, survivor networks, and attorneys can offer aid.
We can help sexual abuse victims by helping them tell their story and hold accountable the institutions that failed to protect them.
Celine Cutter,
Founder of Cutter Law
Sacramento Resources
Here are some helplines and resources for Sacramento residents.
- WEAVE Rape Crisis Center: 1-916-920-2952
- Sacramento State Sexual Violence Support: 1-916-278-5850
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
- Mercy General Hospital: 1-916-453-4545
- Sutter General Hospital: 1-916-454-2222
- Methodist Hospital of Sacramento: 1-916-423-3000
- Sacramento Police Department: 1-916-808-5471
- Address
Sacramento, CA 95864
How Our Sacramento Sex Crime Lawyers at Cutter Law Can Help
Sexual assault and sexual abuse can do damage that is invisible. At Cutter Law, we know that it’s our job to advocate for you, help you tell their story, and get compensation and justice for what you went through. We want to make your experience visible to the jury, or the judge, or the defendant.
We try to really understand what you have gone through so that we can effectively help you in the courtroom and be the strong advocate that they need.
Contact our team today for a no-obligation, free case review. The team at Cutter Law will be at your side at every step.
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Start with a free consultation. We listen to what happened, how it’s affected your life, and what you need to move forward.
You’ll have a direct line to our attorneys. We keep communication open and ensure you always know what’s happening with your case.
From day one, we go all in—gathering evidence, negotiating with insurers, and preparing for trial if needed. You pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.
As a family run California law firm we pride ourselves in providing every client personal attention and representation. The outstanding results we have gotten for our fire clients are a direct result of our commitment to understanding and presenting all aspects of their case.
Hear from our previous clients about the relationships we build together.
Margot Cutter handled a sexual harassment case for my family. Her communication was prompt, clear and engaged. I had full confidence in her knowledge of the relevant laws and advice on how to proceed. The matter was resolved quickly.
Celine stood out in the courtroom as prepared, intelligent, quick-witted, and always respectful, kind, and friendly to all involved in the case. I heard jurors express their appreciation to Celine for how considerate she was to the jury.
Brooks has a long-established, respected reputation as a skilled trial attorney and a record of proven success.