No one asks to be abused. Sexual abuse can happen anywhere: in schools, at summer camps, in homes, churches, youth groups, or online. The abuser might be a stranger, a family member, a teacher, or a trusted friend. Regardless of who did it, you did nothing wrong. You have rights, and you have the option to file a civil lawsuit to seek money for your therapy, medical bills, or other problems that came from the abuse.
Criminal cases are about putting the abuser in jail or punishing them. However, the civil side can help you directly with compensation and closure. You can also make a group—like a church or a school—that ignored warnings or didn’t protect you pay for their mistakes. This can help push them to change their policies so they do not ignore or hide abuse in the future.
At File Abuse Lawsuit, we offer a free phone call to discuss your situation. We keep it private. We listen with respect because we know this is sensitive and can be hard to talk about. Then, if you feel comfortable, our Texas sexual abuse lawyer team explains how a lawsuit might help. You decide if you want to move forward, and we will guide you in building a strong legal case if you do.

What should survivors know about filing Texas sexual abuse lawsuits?
Texas survivors of sexual abuse can file civil lawsuits to seek justice and compensation. Here's what matters most:
- Survivors may be entitled to damages for therapy, lost income, and emotional suffering.
- Abuse can occur in schools, camps, homes, churches, and state institutions.
- Time limits vary by age, type of abuse, and discovery—some cases allow up to 30 years.
- Institutions that ignored complaints or failed to supervise can be held liable.
- File Abuse Lawsuit offers trauma-informed legal support and pushes for systemic change.
Why Choose File Abuse Lawsuit for Your Texas Sexual Abuse Case?
We know it is not easy to talk about sexual abuse. Maybe you have hidden the memories for a long time. Maybe you tried to tell someone, but they did not believe you, or they brushed it off. That should never happen.
At File Abuse Lawsuit, our attorneys promise to listen. We believe you, and we respect your story. When you reach out to us, you will speak to a caring team member and eventually to a lawyer who focuses on these kinds of cases.
We also keep your comfort in mind. If you need to speak slowly, or if you prefer phone calls over emails, we adapt. If you want a friend or family member present, that is okay, too.
Our goal is to make you feel safe and heard from the day you first call us to the day your case ends. We will stand by your side, fighting for your legal rights while understanding this is very personal and emotional.
We Have Proven Experience
Our attorneys bring over 120 years of combined legal experience. We help survivors of many types of abuse: in schools, camps, churches, juvenile centers, or foster care. We have won over $400 million in verdicts and settlements across all our practice areas, which means we know how to negotiate or go to court against big companies, insurance firms, and institutions that want to avoid responsibility.
We also have a strong track record of being ready to try cases. Some places might try to offer a quick settlement that is too low. We do not settle cheap. If going to trial can get you a better result, we are ready. That is important because it puts pressure on the other side to do the right thing.
We Aim for Real Change
Yes, we focus on getting survivors money for therapy, medication, or missed work. But we also want to create real change. We want the abuser or the institution that ignored signs of abuse to learn. Maybe a youth group will start background checks. Maybe a school will change how teachers are supervised. By filing a lawsuit, you can push them to fix problems so future students or youth do not face the same pain.
Texas Sexual Abuse Compensation: “How Much Is My Case Worth?”
One of the biggest questions survivors have is, “If I file a lawsuit, how much money can I get?” The real answer is that it depends. Each situation is different. But generally, our Texas sexual abuse attorney team looks at these things:
- How severe or long the abuse was : If it happened many times or over months or years, that often means a bigger payout. More abuse usually leads to deeper harm, which leads to higher damages.
- Did someone ignore warnings? : If a school, church, or youth group saw red flags or got complaints and did nothing, that can boost your claim. They were negligent.
- How it changed your life : Do you need therapy for anxiety or depression? Are you missing work because you cannot focus or sleep well? Did your parent have to stop working to care for you? All that can add to the money you might get.
- Time limits : Texas laws set certain deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, for filing abuse lawsuits. They might vary from 5 to 30 years, depending on the situation and the age of the survivor. We will check which limit applies to you.
Money will not undo the pain, but it can help you pay for counseling, medical costs, or other expenses you have. It also sends a big message to the abuser or organization that they have to take responsibility.
Where Do Sexual Abuse Incidents Occur in Texas?
Sexual abuse can happen anywhere. In Texas, we see a variety of settings:
- Schools and Colleges: According to some stats, schools accounted for about 3.1 percent of reported incidents. There have been cases in places like Mesquite ISD’s Horn High School, where a non-student entered a bathroom.
- Summer Camps: Camps like Trinity Pines Conference Center and Latham Springs Camp in Aquilla have faced allegations of sexual abuse in the past. YMCA camps around Houston have also had some reported incidents.
- Residences and Homes: This is sadly the most common location—around 73 percent of sexual assaults in Texas happen at home. That might be a family member, friend, or caregiver who abuses that trust.
- Other Public Places: People have also reported abuse happening in motels, parking lots, or highways.
- Institutions: Prisons or juvenile centers can have high rates of sexual violence if staff do not keep watch.
We also see abuse in medical settings or religious institutions. No matter where it happened, we want to know if someone else ignored signs of abuse or hired an abuser with a bad record. By proving a group failed in their duty, we can seek compensation to help you move forward.
Understanding Texas Sexual Abuse Laws
If the abuse involved a child under 14, and the abuser is 17 or older, and it happened at least twice over 30 or more days, this might be continuous sexual abuse under Sec. 21.02. For criminal cases, the jury does not need to agree on which specific acts took place on which dates. They only have to agree that at least two acts happened in that time frame. That helps if a child cannot recall every detail. In a civil lawsuit, showing repeated abuse can also increase your claim for damages.
Other Offenses
There are also crimes like indecency with a child, aggravated sexual assault, or sexual assault. All can lead to both criminal charges and civil claims. Under Art. 38.37 in the Code of Criminal Procedure, evidence of other sexual offenses might be used. So, if the abuser had done this before, that might come out in court. In a civil case, we may also present prior acts to show a pattern of wrongdoing.
Statute of Limitations
Texas sets different time limits for sexual abuse lawsuits. Some cases allow up to 30 years, especially if it involves child sexual abuse. Others have 5 or 15 years. We also look at if you were under 18, or if you discovered the harm later in life. The law in Texas can be complicated on these details, so it is best to talk to a sex abuse lawyer soon. That way, you do not miss the deadline.
The Discovery Rule
Sometimes, survivors only understand the full harm of abuse many years later. The discovery rule might help if the abuse or its effects were not discoverable at first. However, in Texas, it can be limited, especially in “recovered memory” cases. If you already knew the abuse happened, the discovery rule might not apply. Our lawyers check whether you might still get extra time. If the abuser’s identity was unknown, or if you were under a disability, that can also toll (pause) the time limit.
Fighting the Institution After a Texas Sexual Abuse Incident
Often, it is not just about one abuser. Maybe a school principal got complaints but did nothing. Maybe a church quietly moved a known abuser to another location. Maybe a company let a worker with a bad record keep working with children or disabled individuals.
Taking on these large institutions can be overwhelming. They have lawyers and insurance. However, our sexual abuse attorneys at File Abuse Lawsuit have a track record of standing up to them.
We investigate background checks, staff rosters, logs of complaints, or any cover-ups. If they let the abuser stay or kept things secret, we use that to show negligence or wrongdoing. That can increase how much money you receive and push them to fix their policies. We handle the legal side so you can focus on healing.
What To Do After a Texas Sexual Abuse Incident
Facing sexual abuse can feel overwhelming and scary. You may not know where to start or how to keep your family safe. Please remember you are not alone. Below, we share simple steps you can take right away. These actions can protect you, build an official record, and help you prepare if you choose to file a civil lawsuit later.
Stay Safe
If the abuser can still reach you—maybe they live in your home or work at your school—contact the police. Protecting yourself or your child is the most important. If needed, move or change schools to get away from the threat. That might also create an official record, which helps if you file a lawsuit later.
Save Evidence of the Abuse
Keep text messages, letters, photos, or medical records that might show the abuse or the harm it caused. Write down the dates, times, and names of any witnesses. This information can be key in court. If the abuser or an organization tries to hide evidence, your own stash can make a big difference.
Seek Emotional Help
Sexual abuse can leave deep emotional scars, such as anxiety or PTSD. Talking to a counselor, psychiatrist, or a support group can help. If you do not know where to start, we can suggest local resources. Healing your mind and spirit is just as important as seeking justice.
Call File Abuse Lawsuit
Finally, give us a call or fill out our private online form. We will talk about your situation for free, keeping your details confidential. Once we understand what happened, we will see if you still have time to file a lawsuit, how strong your case looks, and what steps you might take next. If a group or abuser wants you to sign a settlement or hush money, do not sign without letting us check it first.
Bringing This Information to File Abuse Lawsuit
It is not easy to face a big organization that might have protected an abuser or turned a blind eye. They might claim you filed too late or try to settle cheaply. We can stop them from taking advantage of you. By sharing all your documents, memories, and witness names, you help us build a solid claim. We also figure out if a place says they are immune from suit. Some state-run facilities might say so, but not all are truly immune.
The more you share with us, the better we can push for the compensation you deserve. We might show how repeated acts of abuse or a failure to run background checks led to your harm. That can raise how much you get and pressure them to fix their environment. The goal is to keep others safe and help you get the closure you need.
Call a Texas Sexual Abuse Lawyer for a Free, Confidential Consultation
Sexual abuse is a terrible ordeal. In Texas, you can file a civil lawsuit to get money for therapy, lost income, or other costs from an abuser or the group that allowed it. Doing so can help you heal, protect future survivors, and make sure the responsible parties face the harm they caused. Our skilled sexual abuse attorneys at File Abuse Lawsuit stand ready to guide you. We do not judge, and we do not back down when it is time to fight for your rights.
To discuss your Texas sexual abuse lawsuit options, call (209) 283-2205 or fill out our secure form. The call is free, and we keep it private. We will listen to your story, explain your choices, and, if you wish, help you move forward with a claim. You deserve understanding and justice. Let us help you start that journey.