San Diego Teenage Sexual Assault Lawyer

Teenage sexual assault can cause enormous harm during some of the most vulnerable and formative years of a person's life. Learn about legal options to take back your power as a survivor and how to help a teenager recover from the trauma they've experienced.

If you are the parent of a teenager who has experienced sexual assault, you want to do everything in your power to support and protect your child. If you are an adult survivor of teenage sexual abuse, you are still caring for that young person's future every day. Along with the following general resources and guides for support and self-care, a sexual assault lawsuit could help you seek justice and secure funds for better healing.

Jessica Pride and our team of compassionate and experienced personal injury lawyers are proven in helping survivors of teenage sexual assault. Located in San Diego, we focus on helping families across San Diego County pursue justice and healing. Our goal is to provide you with the support, guidance, and legal representation you need to obtain a suitable settlement and hold the perpetrator(s) accountable for their actions.

We understand the trauma that sexual abuse can cause in adolescents, and how intimidating the law and court system can seem from the outside. Our San Diego-based team is here to help you navigate the legal process with sensitivity and empathy. 

Contact our San Diego offices online or at (619) 516-8166 to schedule a free, confidential consultation. Your teenager deserves the best possible outcome to protect their bright future, and we are committed to fighting for their rights every step of the way.

The Long-Term Harm of Teenage Sexual Assault

Survivors of sexual abuse at any age may experience long-lasting effects from that trauma. That being said, child and teenage sexual assault survivors have unique issues due to experiencing these violations before they've formed their own independent adult sexuality.

Some of the harm caused by teenage sexual assault includes:

• Medical issues with physical injuries, unwanted pregnancies, or sexually transmitted diseases;
• Psychological conditions like PTSD, depression, anxiety, and damaged self-esteem, which could lead to eating disorders or self-harm;
• Professional delays in their schooling or career building if they are unable to graduate high school, complete college, or adapt to a full-time job due to trauma;
• Interpersonal difficulties with family, peers, and future romantic relationships; and
• Life-threatening dangers from drug abuse, alcohol misuse, or suicide ideation or attempts.

These aspects may contribute to the risk of re-victimization of child survivors when they are adults. Studies suggest that sexual assault in childhood or adolescence increases the likelihood of sexual re-victimization in adulthood between 2 and 13.7 times. 

Child and teenage survivors of sexual assault also have twice the risk of intimate partner violence as adults, possibly due to a decreased sense of danger caused by the sexual coercion or force experienced during their formative years.

For families in San Diego, understanding the scope of these long-term harms is an important step toward seeking accountability and healing. California law may allow you to pursue a civil case based on these damages, especially when guided by a local legal team familiar with San Diego's legal resources and court systems.

All these harms and elevated risk factors are damages that a lawsuit could address. For more information on potential compensation, see the FAQs below.

How To Help a Teenager Who Has Been Sexually Assaulted

It's hard to know what to do when your teenager is sexually assaulted. Here are some recommended guidelines to help you help them:

Ensure the Teen Is Physically Safe

The first step is to remove the teenager from any environment where they may be in danger. If the abuser is someone in the home, it may be necessary to contact local police or child protective services. In San Diego, there are emergency shelters, crisis intervention centers, and advocacy groups that can help provide immediate protection and support for youth.

Create an Emotionally Supportive Environment

Let the teen know you are there for them and willing to listen without judgment. Calm, open-ended questions like "How are you feeling?" or "Do you want to talk about anything?" can help them share their thoughts at their own pace. This kind of supportive space also helps reveal whether they are experiencing signs of depression, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress that may require more urgent care.

Stay Firm in Affirmations

Tell the teen clearly and repeatedly that what happened was not their fault. Even if drugs or alcohol were involved, even if they feel they said yes out of fear or confusion, they are not to blame for being harmed. Teens often internalize shame or guilt, so using clear language to affirm their innocence can begin rebuilding self-worth.

Create a Plan of Action With the Teen

Collaborate with them when making decisions about next steps, including whether to report the abuse, seek medical treatment, or begin therapy. Giving teenagers agency in this process helps them feel more in control and respected. In San Diego, there are local advocates, legal professionals, and recovery services that can help you and the teen build a plan tailored to their needs.

Seek Professional Counseling

Professional therapy is essential for helping the teen process trauma in a safe, structured way. It also provides a separate space for you to work through your own emotions without placing that weight on the survivor. San Diego has a strong network of trauma-informed counselors who specialize in helping youth and families recover from sexual abuse.

Always remember that there is no shame in needing help. Surviving a traumatic experience can be a complex process, but it is always worth the effort to reach out. Everything you do to provide support while protecting your own well-being could be life-saving.

The attorneys and staff at our law firm have trauma-informed training, specifically to provide a safe, stable environment for confidential conversations about your legal rights and options. 

Our offices are located in San Diego, and we are proud to serve survivors and families throughout San Diego County. Reach out to Jessica Pride online or by calling (619) 516-8166 as soon as possible—the more information you hold, the more confidence you'll have in making choices for your future.

Teen Sexual Assault in San Diego: Being Intoxicated Doesn’t Mean It’s Your Fault

How to Report Teenage Sexual Assault in San Diego

Reporting teenage sexual assault is a deeply personal decision, and there is no one "right" way to go about it. Knowing you have options is important whether you are a teen survivor, a parent, guardian, or trusted adult. Reporting can be made to law enforcement or school officials, or done in conjunction with a civil legal claim.

If the teen is still in immediate danger or the perpetrator is in their home or school environment, contact the San Diego Police Department or local child protection services as quickly as possible. San Diego's Child Abuse Hotline is available 24/7 at (858) 560-2191 to report suspected or confirmed child sexual abuse. Even if you're unsure whether what happened qualifies as "reportable," trained staff can help guide you through the process and next steps.

The process of reporting to law enforcement can include interviews, medical examinations, forensic exams (sometimes called "rape kits"), and follow-ups. It is common for survivors to feel afraid, overwhelmed, or worried about not being believed. This is why we always recommend having a trauma-informed advocate or San Diego teenage sexual abuse attorney present to ensure that the teen's rights are protected and that the process does not become re-traumatizing.

Schools are also legally required to take action if sexual assault involving a student is reported to them. Under Title IX and California's mandated reporter laws, school staff, including teachers, coaches, and counselors, must take every report seriously and are required to forward it to child protection authorities. If your teen was harmed at school or by a teacher, fellow student, coach, or district staff, the incident may qualify for both criminal reporting and civil litigation.

You do not have to go through this process alone. If you're unsure where to begin, our team at The Pride Law Firm can help walk you through each step, from filing a police report to protecting your records, pursuing legal damages, and referring you to supportive, safe, and confidential services in San Diego. Even if the decision is made not to pursue criminal charges, you may still choose to file a civil lawsuit for emotional and financial damages.

What matters most is that your voice is heard and the survivor is treated with dignity and care. The choice to report can be incredibly empowering, especially when surrounded by the right support system. We are here to help you take that step in whatever feels most comfortable.

For Teenage Sexual Abuse Survivors in San Diego—Female, Male, and Trans/Non-Binary

Many adult survivors are still experiencing symptoms of the past sexual abuse they experienced in their adolescence. There are support groups throughout San Diego, self-care tools available, and in many instances, there may be a way to find justice through a child sexual abuse lawsuit, especially under California's extended statute laws.

Female Survivors of Teenage Sexual Assault

An enormous amount of research done on the long-term effects of teenage sexual assault focuses on girls and women. This may be because females are more likely to be sexually abused in adolescence than their male counterparts (1 in 4 girls). Evidence shows that female survivors may be changed both biologically and psychologically.

Female sexual assault survivors are more likely to experience:

• Abnormal physical developments like an earlier onset of puberty, high rates of obesity, and more major illnesses;
• Persistent PTSD and depression;
• Dropping out of high school;
• Teen pregnancy; and
• Dissociative symptoms and self-mutilation.

Female survivors of teenage sexual assault are also more likely to be re-victimized later in life than male survivors.

Male Survivors of Teenager Sexual Assault

Although girls are more likely to be sexually assaulted in adolescence, 1 in 13 boys will experience a form of sexual abuse before the age of 18. Boys and adult male survivors experience additional consequences due to societal stereotypes surrounding masculinity.

Male sexual assault survivors frequently experience:

• Feelings of guilt, shame, and emasculating self-doubt over a perception that they were "too weak" to prevent being assaulted;
• Sexual orientation confusion if they experienced arousal during the attack; and
• A misinterpretation of consent if their bodies ejaculated during the incident.

A physiological reaction to a stimulus does not equal consent in male or female abuse survivors. For boys, the fear many survivors have of not being believed after a sexual assault may be compounded by a fear of being judged or rejected if anyone finds out.

In San Diego, support for adult male survivors is growing, with resources, therapists, and legal teams who understand the specific challenges male-identifying victims face.

Trans and Non-Binary Survivors of Teenager Sexual Assault

The numbers documenting transgender sexual violence are shockingly high. For trans and nonbinary individuals, roughly 1 in 2 are sexually abused or assaulted at some point in their lives. Additionally, 12% of transgender youth report being sexually assaulted in grade school (K–12) by peers or instructors.

Trans and nonbinary individuals who experience teenage sexual assault are more likely to deal with:

• Homelessness as a result of their identity or reporting their abuse (22% of homeless transgender individuals report being assaulted while staying in shelters);
• Sex work, which increases their vulnerability to sexual re-victimization as well as criminal charges; and
• Discrimination when seeking the help available to female and male survivors, as shelters and support offers are often gender-exclusionary.

Trans people of color, those who are LGBTQ+, or who live with disabilities also face additional vulnerability and discrimination based on those characteristics.

Safe, affirming services can be difficult to find in many cities—but San Diego is home to LGBTQ+-inclusive advocacy groups, shelters, and trauma-informed legal resources, including our law firm, which is committed to protecting all survivors regardless of gender identity.

Many states have opened up "look back" windows for filing childhood and adolescent sexual abuse cases. California is one of them, and adult survivors of teenage sexual assault in San Diego County may still have access to justice. 

Contact Jessica Pride at (619) 516-8166 to discuss your legal options with a compassionate, local team that understands your story and rights.

Sexual Assault Recovery Resources in San Diego

Click the links below for guidance, support, and your legal options in San Diego:

• Survivor Hotline—24/7 support. We can also connect you with local San Diego resources.
• How to Help a Loved One—tips for supporting someone after sexual assault.
• FAQs About Sexual Assault and Your Legal Rights—learn about your rights under California law and how to pursue justice in San Diego County.

Contact a Compassionate San Diego Teen Sexual Assault Lawyer

Childhood and adolescence should be safe years for growth and self-discovery, not marked by trauma. Experiencing sexual abuse as a teenager is unacceptable, and you deserve justice to help process the trauma and prevent persistent harms caused by unacknowledged physical and emotional wounds.

Filing a lawsuit can empower survivors to close a painful chapter and move forward. When you're represented by Jessica Pride's San Diego-based firm, handling the legal burden is our job—your focus should be rebuilding and thriving.

Call (619) 516-8166 to speak with our compassionate, local team about what you need and how we can help you achieve that goal through California law.

Proudly Representing San Diego Residents