What to Expect During a Consultation with a California Sexual Abuse Attorney

If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, you are not alone. You deserve to be seen and heard, and a good sexual abuse attorney will see to just that. Taking the first step to contact a sexual abuse attorney can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re still processing the trauma of what you’ve experienced, but our professionals are here to help.

If you’re considering reaching out to a sexual abuse attorney in California, you may be wondering what a consultation involves, how much you’ll need to share and what happens next. The good news is: you don’t need to have all the answers before getting in touch — the right attorney will thoroughly support you throughout every step of the process. Nevertheless, you don’t have to go in completely blind. Here’s an overview of what you can expect during a consultation with a sexual abuse attorney and an explanation of the role an effective attorney can play in helping you get justice.

What is a legal consultation?

A legal consultation is not an interrogation. It’s a conversation. The purpose is to exchange information about your case and provide you with some insight into the legal process. An experienced attorney won’t pressure you into immediate action, and will instead focus on empowering you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision.

During an initial consultation, you’ll generally have the opportunity to:

• Share as much or as little of your story as you prefer
• Ask questions about your legal rights and the litigation process
• Determine whether your case is eligible for civil litigation
• Discuss potential outcomes, timelines and appropriate next steps
• Get to know the attorney and decide whether they might be a good fit for you

Your consultation is a judgement-free zone. You don’t need to worry about your attorney pressuring you, questioning you or otherwise making you feel uncomfortable. Trauma-informed attorneys like the team members at Taylor & Ring have both training and experience in working with survivors of sexual abuse and understand exactly how much courage it takes for you to share your story. During your consultation, you should expect to be met with compassion, patience and understanding without any added fears of judgement or “salesy” energy.

Common concerns about consultations

Many survivors hesitate to schedule a consultation because they fear they won’t be believed or that they’ll be pressured to relive painful details of their case before they’re ready to do so. When you work with an experienced sexual abuse attorney, however, you can expect your initial consultation to be compassionate and stress-free. Here are few things you WON’T have to do during a legal consultation:

• You won’t need to have police reports or documentation on hand. Your case can still be evaluated based on your account alone without the need for corroborating evidence up front.
• You won’t have to share anything you do not want to. The consultation is just a starting point in your case so you can control how much you disclose and when.
• You won’t be judged or blamed. A trauma-informed attorney understands the dynamics of abuse and delayed disclosure and will never make you feel less-than.
• You won’t be pressured to file a case. The consultation is intended to give you the foundation you need to make an informed decision about whether or not you want to file and with whom.

Sexual abuse attorneys like those at Taylor & Ring know that this can be an incredibly daunting, vulnerable process for survivors from all walks of life. Whether your abuse occurred in recent memory or took place many years in the past, our compassionate team members are here to help you process in your own time without adding to your emotional burden.

Sample questions from the attorney

During a consultation, the attorney you’re meeting with will guide the conversation with sensitivity. However, there may be times when your attorney needs to ask some open-ended questions to gather more information or clarify certain points about your case. All of these questions are intended to enhance their understanding and ensure they are getting the clearest possible picture of the viability of your claim.

Remember, though: You are always in control, and you are always free to decline to answer an attorney’s questions. That said, here are a few examples of questions that may come up during a consultation:

• When did the abuse occur, and how old were you at the time?
• Who was the abuser, and what was their relationship to you?
• Were there any witnesses or people you told at the time?
• Have you reported the abuse to law enforcement or any institutions?
• Have you received therapy or counseling related to the abuse?
• Are there any institutions that may have enabled or covered up the abuse?
• What are some of the ways the abuse has had an impact on your life?

Your lawyer will not ask you questions to prove, disprove or invalidate you. All questions are simply intended to help your attorney better understand your case in context so they can make appropriate recommendations about next steps. If at any point during your consultation you begin to feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed, you should feel free to stop the conversation and do whatever you need to do to take care of yourself.

Legal options you may discuss

After the attorney gathers information about your case, they will likely pivot to talking to you about the legal options available to help you seek justice under California law. Some of the options they may wish to discuss will likely include:

• Civil suits against the individual abuser intended to seek compensatory damages
• Claims against institutions that failed to prevent or otherwise enabled your abuse
• Potential criminal prosecution

While civil sexual abuse attorneys typically do not handle criminal cases, they may be able to guide you in reporting the abuse to law enforcement if they believe the conduct could qualify as a crime. The bulk of your conversation, however, will likely center around whether you may be within your rights to file a civil lawsuit for compensation from the party or parties responsible for your abuse.

Is my consultation confidential?

In short: Yes. Everything you share in a consultation is confidential, even if you decide not to pursue legal action or decide not to work with that particular attorney. Attorneys are bound by strict confidentiality rules and cannot share your story without your permission. This duty of confidentiality applies from the very first consultation you have with an attorney and persists throughout the attorney-client relationship.

Your identity and information will be protected throughout the legal process, from consultation to case closure. An attorney cannot leverage your personal information or case details to manipulate or pressure you into working with them.

Next steps

There is no pressure to make a decision during or immediately after your consultation. Many survivors want to take time to think, talk to loved ones or just process what they’ve learned. If you decide to move forward, your attorney will help you draft and file the necessary legal documents to get the ball rolling and begin building your case. As your suit unfolds, your attorney will gather information and evidence to support your claims for compensation and represent you in all negotiations and court proceedings.

At Taylor & Ring, our attorneys work to ensure that the legal process does not re-traumatize our clients during their fight for justice. Every step of the way, we work to make sure survivors feel safe, empowered and confident that their case is in good hands. Our experienced, trauma-informed attorneys are here to listen without judgment and advocate for your rights during this difficult time.

If you’re ready to explore your legal options, contact Taylor & Ring to schedule a free, confidential consultation with a compassionate California sexual abuse attorney. Your story matters. Your rights matter. And we’re here to help you reclaim both.