San Marcos, CA, Sexual Assault Lawyer

San Marcos, CA, may feel like a quiet and safe community, but like many places across the country, it’s not untouched by the reality of sexual assault. The infuriating truth is that sexual assault can occur anywhere to anyone. Whether it happened at school, in a trusted space, or by someone you knew, what you experienced matters.

At The Pride Law Firm, we know that sexual assault doesn’t just leave physical wounds. It can shake your sense of safety, trust, and even identity. Survivors often tell us they felt like the ground disappeared beneath them, like the person they were before the assault is somehow out of reach.

Our role is to help you take back control in a system that can often feel cold or confusing. Through the civil court process, we pursue not just justice, but change, so that what happened to you never happens to someone else. Call (619) 516-8166 or fill out our confidential online form to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with our San Marcos, CA, sexual abuse attorneys today.

“The Pride Law Firm will always be the firm I refer to family and friends when they need a lawyer or advice. Jessica cares about survivors and will fight at all costs for justice. The Pride Law Firm is deeply committed to fighting for your cause and getting its clients justice. It's a welcoming environment where your concerns will be heard compassionately and without judgment. If you are a victim of sexual assault/ harassment, Jessica Pride is your lawyer!”

- Allyson C. | Client

San Marcos, CA, Sexual Assault Statistics

In San Marcos, recent reports show that sexual assault remains an urgent issue, especially in environments where people should feel safest, like college dorms or trusted social settings. Recent data highlights the prevalence and concerning trends within the area:

• Cal State University San Marcos (CSUSM): In the fall semester of 2023, five sexual assault incidents were reported on campus, all involving individuals known to the victims through prior relationships or social gatherings. These incidents occurred in on-campus housing, a setting that has seen increased residential occupancy in recent years. ‍
• City of San Marcos: According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data for 2022, there were 7 reported cases of rape in San Marcos, resulting in a rate of 7.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. While this rate is lower than the California and national averages, it still represents a significant number of individuals affected by sexual violence.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, only 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are ever reported to the police. That means more than two out of three survivors stay silent, often because they fear they won’t be believed, they worry about retaliation, or they simply don’t feel emotionally safe coming forward.

So the official numbers in San Marcos, CA, are difficult to track down and almost certainly underrepresent the true scope of harm happening.

How Do I Know If What Happened to Me Counts as Sexual Assault? 

Under California law, sexual assault includes any non-consensual sexual act. This can range from unwanted touching or groping to rape or attempted rape. Consent means a clear, voluntary, and ongoing “yes.”

Sexual assault can manifest in many ways, including: 

• Someone touched you sexually against your will, even if it was over clothing.
• You were restrained, and someone touched you in a sexual way.
• You were unconscious, asleep, or under the influence, and someone touched you without your knowledge.
• A healthcare professional or someone in a position of trust misused that position to touch you sexually under the false claim that it was for medical reasons.
• You were forced or manipulated into touching someone else in a sexual way.

A common misunderstanding is that there must be physical violence, yelling, or obvious struggle for the act to be considered sexual assault. In many cases, especially those involving people who know each other, sexual assault is the violation of boundaries and consent.

It’s natural to feel confused or uncertain following sexual assault, and many survivors try to downplay what happened or rationalize it as something else. However, if something felt wrong, it’s worth talking about. 

If you want help understanding whether what happened to you may be considered sexual assault, a San Marcos, CA, sexual assault attorney at The Pride Law Firm is here to listen and guide you confidentially, and without judgment. Contact us online or call (619) 516-8166 today.

How Can San Marcos, CA, Sexual Assault Attorneys Bring My Perpetrator to Justice?

In San Marcos, CA, there are two main legal paths that can be taken: criminal cases and civil cases. Each serves a different purpose, and sometimes, survivors choose to pursue both.

Criminal Cases: The State Brings Charges

A criminal case is filed by the government, specifically, the state of California. In these cases, the focus is on whether a crime was committed and if the accused person should face incarceration.

You, as the survivor, are not technically the one bringing the case forward, but you may be called to give a statement or testify. The state is responsible for investigating the crime, building the case, and proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offense.

Possible outcomes of a criminal case include:

• Jail or prison time
• Probation
• Mandatory sex offender registration
• Fines or restitution

Civil Cases: Your Path to Financial Support

A civil case is very different. This is a legal action that you, the survivor, bring against the person who harmed you. Instead of focusing on punishment, a civil case focuses on accountability and compensation for the harm done to you, emotionally, physically, and financially.

Through a civil lawsuit, you can seek damages for:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical expenses
• Lost wages or future earnings
• Therapy and recovery costs

Many survivors in San Marcos and throughout California pursue both criminal and civil cases at the same time or one after the other. You don’t have to choose one over the other. Even if the person who hurt you is never arrested or convicted in criminal court, you may still have a strong civil case.

You can watch attorney and founder Jessica Pride discuss the difference between civil and criminal sexual assault cases below: 

Who Can San Marcos, CA, Sexual Assault Lawyers Hold Liable?

In some situations, there is a single attacker who may be held solely responsible for what they did to you. However, in many cases, the perpetrator is not the only one who can or should be held accountable.

At The Pride Law Firm, we will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the assault because sometimes the abuse happened in a place where others had a responsibility to protect you and failed.

A San Marcos, CA, sexual assault lawyer can help survivors take legal action against not only individuals who committed the abuse, but also from the institutions or entities that enabled, ignored, or covered it up.

Here are examples of who may be held liable in a civil sexual assault case:

• Employers: If a boss, manager, or coworker assaulted you or created a hostile work environment that led to abuse, the company may be held responsible for failing to protect you.
• Schools and Universities: From K-12 schools or daycares to colleges like Cal State San Marcos, institutions may be liable if a teacher, staff member, or coach engaged in grooming or abuse, or if the school failed to respond appropriately to reports of misconduct.
• Religious Organizations: Churches, temples, and other religious institutions can be held accountable when clergy use their position to sexually abuse children or vulnerable adults.
• Medical or Care Facilities: In nursing homes, hospitals, rehab centers, group homes, and mental health centers, abuse can occur when caretakers or healthcare professionals take advantage of those who are disabled, medicated, or unable to consent. These facilities may be liable for negligent hiring, supervision, or failing to report abuse.

Too often, institutions contribute to environments where abuse can run rampant and then choose to look the other way. Speaking out against them won’t just help you, but also work towards breaking a larger systemic cycle.

The Pride Law Firm has years of experience taking on powerful institutions that failed to protect the people in their care. Most notably, our team secured a record-breaking $116 million settlement for 103 survivors of sexual abuse at the now-shuttered FCI Dublin prison, which is the largest such settlement in U.S. history. 

That case wasn’t just about money. It was about proving that even the most entrenched cultures of abuse can be confronted and dismantled. You can listen to Jessica Pride discuss this landmark settlement at FCI Dublin here:

Why Hire The Pride Law Firm: A San Marcos, CA, Sexual Assault Law Firm You Can Trust

Led by nationally recognized sexual assault attorney Jessica Pride, our team has spent nearly two decades helping survivors from all walks of life reclaim their voices, including women, men, teens, undocumented individuals, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

Our San Marcos, CA, sexual abuse lawyers and staff are trained in trauma-informed care, meaning we approach every case with sensitivity and privacy. You will be met with a team with whom you don’t have to justify your feelings, but instead, you’ll be heard and empowered. 

We know reaching out isn’t easy. But you don’t have to have everything figured out to start a conversation. We’re here to listen, answer your questions, and help you understand what your options are. There is no pressure, no assumptions, only support. Reach out to us online or by calling (619) 516-8166 today.