PRACTICE AREAS

sexual assault and discrimination

Justice Law Collaborative advocates for survivors of sexual abuse and fights for justice on their terms.

At Justice Law Collaborative, our trauma-informed perspective to legal representation ensures survivors are heard at every stage of a case and empowers them to regain control.

We represent a broad spectrum of survivors traumatized by sexual abuse, including adult survivors of childhood sex abuse, young children, students, athletes, patients, employees, children in foster care or group homes, clergy abuse survivors, and more.

The legal process is an effective and therapeutic tool to facilitate the healing process for many survivors. It presents survivors with an opportunity to regain their power by holding the perpetrator and other responsible parties, accountable. Justice Law Collaborative puts the survivor’s well-being first and ensures that they have the support they need around them to take on the people who harmed them.

In pursuit of justice, we fiercely fight for survivors to secure the financial compensation they deserve, enable them to help reform institutions who are responsible for their abuse, and bring them the closure they need. Our clients often have the option to force these institutions to implement procedures and protocols that address their misconduct and prevent future abuse.

Our Sexual Assault team, led by Attorney Kim Dougherty, has nearly two decades of experience in civil litigation and a national reputation as a sexual abuse survivor advocate. Kim also has her Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University and has worked as a social worker representing abused child victims of domestic violence in the court systems, bringing a unique talent to her legal advocacy on behalf of survivors. We have vast experience representing survivors at all levels, from large national mass actions to individual pre-suit settlement negotiations and mediations.

Let us help you take your power back and get you the justice you deserve.

Our Trauma-Informed Approach

At Justice Law Collaborative, we take a trauma-informed approach to every case. This means we focus not only on legal outcomes, but also on how our clients experience the process.

Our work is guided by five core principles:

Safety
Trustworthiness
Choice
Collaboration
Empowerment

We understand that trauma can affect how someone communicates, makes decisions, and navigates the legal system. We take that into account in everything we do, from how we communicate to how we build case strategy.

Our support often goes beyond the courtroom. In addition to handling litigation and settlement negotiations, we help connect clients with therapists, assist with administrative processes, and communicate with law enforcement when needed.

Our goal is simple: to provide strong legal advocacy while making sure our clients feel respected, supported, and in control every step of the way.

SEXUAL ASSAULT CAN TAKE MANY FORMS

According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, sexual assault includes a wide range of unwanted sexual behaviors that are performed against a person’s will, or when a person is unable to give consent because of their age, disability, level of intoxication, or other reasons. Each state uses a different legal definition to describe the abusive sexual acts.

Consent is the key to determining whether someone has been sexually assaulted. In a nutshell, consent is when someone agrees, gives permission, or provides an enthusiastic “yes” to a sexual act. Consent is always freely given for every change in activity and each participant can say no or stop the activity at any point. You can withdraw consent at any point if you feel uncomfortable. Verbally withdrawing consent can sometimes be challenging or difficult to do verbally, so non-verbal cues can also be used to convey this.

Contact us for a free consultation today.

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Enthusiastic consent can look like this:

According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network

Asking permission before you change the type or degree of sexual activity
Confirming that there is reciprocal interest before initiating any physical touch.
Periodically checking in with your partner, such as asking “Is this still okay?”
Providing positive feedback when you’re comfortable with an activity.
Explicitly agreeing to certain activities, either by saying “yes” or another affirmative statement, like “I’m open to trying.”
Using physical cues to let the other person know you’re comfortable taking things to the next level.

Consent does NOT look like this:

Refusing to acknowledge “no”
A partner who is disengaged, nonresponsive, or visibly upset
Assuming that wearing certain clothes, flirting, or kissing is an invitation for anything more
Someone being under the legal age of consent, as defined by the state
Someone being incapacitated because of drugs or alcohol
Pressuring someone into sexual activity by using fear or intimidation
Assuming you have permission to engage in a sexual act because you’ve done it in the past

SURVIVOR FAQS

Will my name be made public?

No. We often resolve cases without filing in court. When we do go to court, most states in the U.S. allow survivors to be addressed as “John Doe” or “Jane Doe”. In this case, where there are multiple survivors, the names would be excluded and replaced by “Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2, etc.” Your confidentiality is also protected through the Attorney-Client Privilege.

Can I afford legal representation?

Yes. Survivors do not pay any attorney fees up front. Attorneys only get paid if they are successful in bringing your case to a resolution.

Is it too late to pursue a legal claim?

Not likely. Many states allow survivors of sexual abuse to bring their claims years and even decades after abuse occurred. Other states, like New Mexico, are considering bills to increase or remove the statute of limitations on childhood sex abuse.

How much evidence do I need to prove my case?

Civil court only requires to have enough evidence to prove the abuse more than likely occurred. This means you do not have to offer any other proof if you don’t have any. Your statement alone is often enough. However, if you have letters, medical records, photos, or other records, those will strengthen your case.

CASES EXAMPLES AGAINST VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS:

Colleges and Universities, including Michigan State University
USA Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics
Clubs, including Boy Scouts of America
Group Homes/Foster Care, including Kurn Hattin Homes for Children
Catholic Church/Archdioceses and other Religious Orders
Elementary, Secondary Schools (public and private)
Medical Facilities

There are several pros and cons with filing a lawsuit for compensation. More importantly, there are strict time limitations in which to bring your claims.

Contact the lawyers below at Justice Law Collaborative for a free consultation and evaluation of your potential claim.

Our discussions are completely confidential, and all decisions are yours to make.

Contact us for a free consultation today.

Get In Touch

Current Cases & Investigations

RIDESHARE LITIGATION

Sexual assault in rideshare services has become an alarming concern, shedding light on the vulnerability riders may face during what should be a routine and safe commute.

The seamless convenience of summoning a ride through an app often masks the potential risks that passengers, particularly women, can encounter.

Instances of sexual assault within rideshare services depict a disturbing reality where trust is breached and safety is compromised. For many, these incidents unravel a harrowing narrative of exploitation, violation, and the infringement of personal boundaries.

The enclosed space of a vehicle, combined with the power imbalance between driver and passenger, can create an environment conducive to abuse, where passengers feel helpless and exposed.

The trauma inflicted by such heinous acts extends far beyond the duration of the ride, leaving indelible scars on the survivors.

The emotional aftermath can be profound, affecting mental health, eroding trust in services designed for convenience, and instigating a pervasive fear of future rideshare journeys.

Addressing this issue demands a multifaceted approach involving stringent background checks, comprehensive training for drivers, and the implementation of robust safety protocols by rideshare companies.

Educating both drivers and passengers about consent, boundaries, and reporting procedures is crucial in fostering an environment of accountability and prevention.

Moreover, offering immediate and accessible avenues for reporting incidents, coupled with swift and decisive actions against perpetrators, is essential to signal a zero-tolerance stance towards such abhorrent behavior.

Ultimately, combating sexual assault in rideshare services necessitates a collective effort from regulatory bodies, technology companies, law enforcement, and society as a whole.

It requires a commitment to fostering a culture of safety, respect, and accountability, ensuring that every ride is not just a journey from point A to point B but a secure passage devoid of fear and exploitation.

At Justice Law Collaborative, our unwavering mission is to stand as staunch advocates for survivors of rideshare-related sexual assault and address the multifaceted issues pertaining to rideshare services.

We are committed to providing compassionate and unwavering legal support, guidance, and representation to survivors who have faced the traumatic ordeal of sexual assault while utilizing rideshare services. Our aim is to ensure that survivors receive the justice, support, and compensation they rightfully deserve.

Beyond individual cases, we are dedicated to effecting systemic change within the rideshare industry. We strive to hold rideshare companies accountable for their duty to provide safe and secure transportation experiences for all users. Our firm actively engages in advocacy efforts to promote enhanced safety measures, rigorous driver vetting processes, and comprehensive training protocols to prevent future incidents of assault within the rideshare community.

Through our advocacy, legal expertise, and unwavering commitment to justice, JLC seeks to be at the forefront of catalyzing positive change within the rideshare landscape. We stand resolutely with survivors, empowering them to reclaim their voices and rights while working tirelessly towards a safer and more accountable rideshare environment for all.”

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance in resolving their case, or bringing their case to light, please feel free to contact us using the link below.

If you experienced sexual abuse while a patient of a medical professional, regardless of their field of work or specialty, you need to know that you have rights. Let our attorneys with years of experience fighting for survivors help you seek justice.

Updates:

Brigham & Women’s Medical Professional Sexual Assault

Justice Law Collaborative is fully committed to helping survivors of sexual assault in medical settings hold their abusers accountable. You deserve to have your voice heard, even if you choose to remain anonymous, and we want to help. We are actively investigating multiple claims for individuals against Dr. Derrick Todd, and we believe there could still be hundreds of patients out there in Boston and surrounding areas who were harmed over the course of his 15 years as a practicing physician.

If you or someone in your family has suffered at the hands of Dr. Todd, you deserve to tell your story, and you may also have a legal claim for compensation. We can help you hold him accountable for the harm he caused. Furthermore, speaking out helps make our Boston area hospitals a safer place for everyone by contributing to reforming the institutions that have allowed the abuse to occur.

While we all would like to believe we can always trust the people tasked with our healthcare, the heartbreaking reality is that accounts of abuse in medical settings are not uncommon. Over the past three decades, thousands of doctors across the United States have been disciplined publicly for sexual allegations their patients made against them. The true extent of sexual abuse and misconduct by physicians is likely far wider-reaching than we currently know, and true data remains uncertain because so many patients are afraid to come forward. Staying quiet, while understandable, only helps perpetuate this sick cycle of abuse. We must shed light on these instances whenever we see or experience them.

Unfortunately, the very nature of the patient-physician relationship is fundamentally unequal and therefore lends itself to the possibility of abuse. As patients, it’s normal to feel dependent on the expertise and knowledge of our doctors to manage our ongoing healthcare and medical needs. We trust these professionals to have our best interests at heart. Because this has been the case for generations, physician sexual misconduct is always a severe and irreversible violation. The abuse is coupled with the utter exploitation of the physical and emotional vulnerability of the patients, violating numerous ethical and professional principles.

Dr. Derrick Todd was placed on leave in July 2023 after two anonymous complaints were filed, alleging that he did not get appropriate consent before performing breast and pelvic exams on patients who had no medical need for them. In addition, there have been reports that he convinced patients to let him perform vaginal exams on them instead of referring them to a gynecologist.

As of September 2023, Todd reportedly voluntarily agreed to stop practicing medicine in any state. However, at this time, he has not admitted to any wrongdoing. It is now up to those he harmed to come forward and add your voice to the effort to make sure he never hurts anyone again and that Brigham and Women’s Hospital takes the necessary steps to make their facility safe for all patients.

Get in touch

At Justice Law Collaborative, every case begins with a conversation. Whether you’re seeking guidance, representation, or have questions about your legal options, our team is here to listen.

Please feel free to reach out for a free consultation using the form here or give us a call. We will ensure your message reaches the right attorney and that you receive a timely, thoughtful response.

JLC East: (508) 230-2700

JLC West: (310) 363-0030

PRACTICE AREAS

sexual assault and discrimination

Justice Law Collaborative advocates for survivors of sexual abuse and fights for justice on their terms.

Our Trauma-Informed Approach

SEXUAL ASSAULT CAN TAKE MANY FORMS

Contact us for a free consultation today.

Enthusiastic consent can look like this:

Consent does NOT look like this:

SURVIVOR FAQS

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CASES EXAMPLES AGAINST VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS:

Contact us for a free consultation today.

Current Cases & Investigations

RIDESHARE LITIGATION

At Justice Law Collaborative, our unwavering mission is to stand as staunch advocates for survivors of rideshare-related sexual assault and address the multifaceted issues pertaining to rideshare services.

Updates:

Updates:

Brigham & Women’s Medical Professional Sexual Assault

Get in touch

Free Consultation

Will my name be made public?

Can I afford legal representation?

Is it too late to pursue a legal claim?

How much evidence do I need to prove my case?