Sexual violence has a profound impact on lifelong health, opportunity, and well-being. If you or a loved one has been impacted by sexual assault, you deserve compassionate guidance and strong legal help. At IllinoisLawyers.com, we are an Illinois attorney referral service that connects you directly with an experienced sexual abuse attorney who understands Illinois law and knows how to get the justice you deserve.
With our firm, you will always speak directly with a lawyer for free, not a call center. We listen to your story, answer your questions, and connect you with the right sexual abuse lawyer in Illinois. We never accept payment from lawyers to recommend them, so you can trust that our guidance is honest, unbiased, and focused solely on getting you the justice you deserve.
Our services are free, completely confidential, and available 24/7. Whether you’re looking for support, advice, or a trusted lawyer referral, we’ll make sure you get help right away.
What Is Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault in Illinois?
Sexual abuse includes any unwanted sexual contact, such as groping, fondling, or other inappropriate touching, that happens without your consent, typically, or with what seems like consent but is really a power imbalance.
Example: A boss, doctor, lawyer, or other professional who uses their authority to pressure or coerce someone into sexual activity. Even if the victim feels they cannot say no, the law recognizes that this is not true consent because of the unequal power dynamic.
Sexual assault is more severe and involves sexual penetration without consent, even if it’s only slight. These acts are crimes, and we strongly recommend that you report them to the police as soon as possible.
What are Sexual Abuse Attorneys?
Sexual abuse attorneys are lawyers who represent survivors of sexual assault, violence, or abuse in legal proceedings. Their role is to protect the rights of survivors and pursue justice through both civil and, in some cases, criminal systems. Sexual abuse lawyers work directly for the survivor, focusing on securing compensation and accountability from the abuser and, when appropriate, the institutions that enabled the abuse.
Over the years, IllinoisLawyers.com has helped survivors sue not just individuals, but also schools, employers, churches, and other organizations that failed to protect victims. Call our office at 312-346-5320 to speak with an attorney for FREE. You can also fill out our contact form to tell us about your situation, and we will contact you.
What Does a Sexual Abuse Attorney in Illinois Do?
Illinois sexual abuse lawyers play a vital role in helping survivors seek justice, accountability, and the support they need to rebuild their lives. Sexual assault attorneys will:
- File civil lawsuits against abusers and responsible organizations (such as schools, churches, or employers).
- Pursue financial compensation for medical bills, therapy, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term trauma.
- Guide survivors through the legal process with compassion, ensuring their voice is heard while protecting their rights.
- Work on contingency, meaning survivors usually do not pay fees upfront—the Illinois or Chicago sexual assault lawyer is only paid if the case is successful.
Types of Sexual Abuse Cases Illinois Lawyers Handle
At IllinoisLawyers.com, we handle a wide range of sexual abuse and assault cases, including:
- General Sexual Abuse Cases: Rape, unwanted touching, coerced acts, or forced sexual contact.
- Professional Misconduct (Doctors, Therapists, Lawyers, and Other Licensed Professionals): Even if it seems “consensual,” sexual contact between a professional and a patient or client is unethical, exploitative, and often grounds for a lawsuit.
- Cases Involving Institutional or Power Imbalances: Clergy/parishioners, teachers/students, coaches/players, bosses/employees, police/citizens, and rideshare drivers/passengers.
- Abuse in Care Facilities: Sexual abuse in nursing homes, group homes, assisted living, or daycare settings, where organizations may be held accountable.
- Gender Violence Act Claims: Civil actions under the Illinois Gender Violence Act for sexual assault, coerced acts, or gender-based violence, even if no criminal charges were filed.
- College Athlete Abuse and Hazing: Sexual misconduct, hazing, or abuse by coaches, teammates, or staff in university and athletic programs.
A sexual abuse lawyer is not just a legal representative but also an advocate, helping survivors navigate a very sensitive and emotional process with the goal of justice, healing, and financial support.
What To Do If You Are a Victim of Sexual Abuse or Assault
Your safety comes first. If you have been sexually assaulted or raped, make sure you are out of immediate danger. Once you are safe, here are some important steps to consider:
- Seek medical attention right away: Many Illinois hospitals have specially trained nurses who can care for survivors and collect forensic evidence. Even if you aren’t ready to report now, having medical documentation protects your options later.
- Preserve evidence: Save texts, clothing, or any documents related to your case.
- Get legal advice: Don’t wait — the earlier you speak to Illinois sexual abuse lawyers, the stronger your case will be. Call Illinois Lawyers at 312-346-5320 to speak with an attorney for FREE today.
- Report the abuse when you feel ready: You can contact law enforcement or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE for confidential guidance. Reporting helps create a record of what happened, but it’s your choice whether or not to move forward.
- Reach out for emotional support: Healing takes time. Hotlines, counseling, and support groups in Illinois provide safe spaces to process trauma. You are not alone.
For survivors, what matters most is knowing that you have legal rights. Beyond criminal charges, you may also pursue a civil lawsuit against the individual or organization responsible. Civil claims allow survivors to seek compensation for the harm they’ve endured, including medical expenses, therapy, lost wages, and the emotional trauma of the abuse.
Why Survivors Need Experienced Sexual Assault Lawyers
Many sexual abuse cases involve no witnesses, making them difficult to prove without skilled legal representation. An experienced Illinois or Chicago sexual abuse lawyer can preserve critical evidence, hold both abusers and enabling organizations accountable, and guide survivors through the civil process of seeking compensation.
The lawyers we recommend:
- Have years of experience in Illinois sexual abuse law.
- Have experience in the big courts in Cook, Will, and DuPage Counties, but will also go throughout Illinois to smaller counties to represent victims.
- Pursue justice through both criminal prosecution and civil claims when appropriate, helping survivors recover compensation for medical costs, therapy, and emotional harm.
Illinois Lawyer Referral Service You Can Trust
When you contact IllinoisLawyers.com, you’re using an Illinois lawyer referral service run by attorneys, not a marketing company. We’ll only recommend experienced lawyers we’d hire ourselves if we were in your shoes.
Our Illinois attorney referral service guarantees:
- Confidential, no-obligation calls.
- Free initial advice.
- Referrals only to trusted lawyers with strong records in sexual assault cases.
Speak to an Expert Sexual Abuse Lawyer in Illinois Today
Please contact Illinois Lawyers if you have any questions or would like a lawyer with a proven track record of success. We don’t promise a result, but we guarantee that we only recommend the most experienced lawyers that we, as attorneys, would hire if we were in your shoes.
Call us today at (312) 346-5320 for a free, confidential consultation with a trusted Illinois and Chicago sexual assault lawyer.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about sexual abuse and assault cases.
What is the difference between sexual abuse and sexual assault in Illinois?
Sexual abuse usually means unwanted contact without penetration, while sexual assault involves penetration without consent. Both are wrong and we have sued over both.
What is sexual penetration?
Sexual penetration is defined as any contact, however slight, between the sex organ or anus of one person by an object, the sex organ, mouth, or anus of another person, or any intrusion, however slight, or any part of the body of one person or any animal or object into the sex organ or anus of another person. Evidence of emission of semen is not required to prove sexual penetration. The survivor is not required to prove that force was used, only that the threat of force was present.
What is rape?
Rape is the act of sexual penetration without consent. It does not matter if force is used, if the victim says “no,” or if the victim is unable to give consent due to age, intoxication, disability, or coercion. Under Illinois law, even the slightest penetration without consent is considered rape (legally defined as criminal sexual assault).
What is sexual misconduct?
Sexual misconduct covers a broader range of abusive or unethical sexual behavior. This can include unwanted touching, groping, exposing oneself, or cases where a professional (such as a doctor, therapist, lawyer, or teacher) engages in sexual contact with someone who depends on them for care, guidance, or services. Even if it feels “consensual,” the power imbalance makes it exploitation, not a true choice.