Sexual Assault Lawyers for Victims in Houston, Texas
Every 2 in 5 Texas women and 1 in 5 Texas men will experience sexual assault in their lifetimes. As the biggest city in Texas, Houston has one of the highest rates of sex-related crimes, with over 3,000 assaults reported in Harris County in 2021 alone.
The trauma of sexual abuse can impact your mental and physical health in the short and long term. You might experience injuries, feelings of depression and shame, or sexually transmitted infections (STIs.) Healing can take a lifetime, and while you can’t take back the trauma, you can find justice through a Houston sexual assault lawsuit.
Sexual Abuse Lawyer in Houston
Blizzard Greenberg specializes in getting Houston sexual assault survivors the funds they need to rebuild their lives. We’ll honor your courage in coming forward and help you feel safe and in control while we fight for your rights.
It’s our mission to protect and support you throughout the process, so you can start your healing journey with a dedicated, compassionate legal team behind you.
Types of Sexual Abuse & Sexual Assault
Under Texas law, sexual assault is considered rape. Sexual abuse is an umbrella term that can refer to any type of sexual contact committed through force, threats, violence, fear, or coercion. Examples of sexual assault may include:
- Unwanted touching or fondling
- Sexual trafficking
- Abuse of a minor
- Abuse of a person unable to consent (EG, Someone under the influence.)
- Non-contact abuse, like secret recordings, voyeurism, or flashing
Where Predators May Lurk: Where Sexual Abuse Most Often Occurs
Abuse can occur in any number of public or private locations. Some of the areas where sexual abuse may occur in Houston include:
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- College campuses. Universities are one of the most common sites of sexual assaults. Some of Houston’s most popular schools include the University of Houston, Rice University, and Texas Southern University.
- Hotels. Hotel chains like Holiday Inn and Hilton are often targets for predators. Combined, both chains have 30+ locations throughout the Houston metro area, including Holiday Inn Houston Downtown and Hilton Houston Post Oak by the Galleria.
- Churches. Houston churches that have been involved in sexual assault lawsuits include Champions Forest Baptist Church, Grace Community Church, and the First Baptist Church of Houston.
- Rideshare services. Uber or Lyft drivers may use their positions to prey on their riders.
- Massage parlors. Chains like Massage Envy have faced allegations of employing predatory massage therapists.
Houston Demographics & Sexual Abuse Statistics
- Houston is the largest city in Texas, with approximately 2.3 million residents in 2023.
- 3,337 total sexual assault cases were reported to Harris County law enforcement in 2021.
- Over 15,000 forcible rape cases were reported in Texas in 2023, the highest in the United States.
- Only around 32% of Texans report their sexual assault to law enforcement.
- College-aged adults face a higher risk of sexual assault, with 13% of all undergrad and graduate students experiencing assault through violence, force, or incapacitation.
- 8 out of 10 rape victims know the perpetrator.
- Uber reported nearly 6,000 assaults between 2018 and 2019, while Lyft reported over 3,000.
Defendants in Sexual Assault Lawsuits
The person who assaulted you isn’t the only possible defendant in a sexual assault lawsuit. Depending on where your sexual assault took place, other people may have breached their duty of care by failing to protect you.
For example, a hotel chain may not have followed proper security protocol, or a university might’ve continued to employ a faculty member even after receiving credible abuse allegations. If an organization or individual’s negligence created an unsafe environment, they could be held liable in a lawsuit.
Potential defendants in a civil sexual abuse lawsuit can include:
- Educational administrators, professors, or other school staff
- Church authorities
- Hotel managers
- Property owners or managers
- Employers, such as rideshare companies or massage parlors
What to Do After Sexual Assault
Sexual abuse can leave you feeling lost, confused, and alone. But understand that it isn’t your fault, and you have options to get help and support throughout Houston. Some of the steps you can take include the following.
- Call the police. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, you can contact your local police department to file a report.
- Call a hotline. If you don’t feel comfortable going directly to the police, hotlines that can offer support and guidance include the Houston Sexual Assault Hotline (713-528-7273), the Houston Area Women’s Center’s 24-hour rape hotline (713-528-7273), or the Houston Domestic Violence Hotline (713-528-2121.)
- Get medical attention. A medical forensic exam can help you get compassionate treatment and gather any evidence you might need for a legal case. Contact Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners (TXFNE) to get an exam from a trauma-informed nurse, ideally within 120 hours of the incident.
- Get corroborating evidence. Collect any information that might corroborate your claims, such as text messages, voicemails, security camera footage, or eyewitness statements.
- Contact a lawyer. A lawyer specializing in sexual assault cases can offer support and advocacy while giving you better chances of a successful claim.
Understand Your Legal Options
There are two main ways to seek justice after a sexual assault:
- Criminal claim. Focuses on holding the offender accountable and preventing them from harming others. In Texas, the statute of limitations is 10 years for felony cases when the victim is an adult, but there’s no limit when the victim is 17 or younger.
- Civil claim. Focuses on seeking justice through non-criminal court and recovering economic damages related to the assault. The statute of limitations for civil cases is 5 years for adult victims and 30 years for people who were 17 or younger at the time.
Your lawyer can guide you toward the options with the highest chances of a successful outcome.
What Are the Damages You Can Recover in a Sexual Abuse Claim?
The exact damages you can recover in a civil case depend on your individual case. But in many cases, survivors may be able to get funds for healing-related expenses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Therapy or counseling
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages from time off work
What Our Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Do for You
At Blizzard Greenburg, it’s our mission to support sexual abuse and assault survivors throughout Texas. We’ll fight for your rights throughout the legal process and strive for the settlement you deserve. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for our Texas clients and held large corporations accountable, including Massage Envy, Hilton, and Lyft.
With our firm, you don’t have to go it alone. We’ll support you and advocate for your rights on your road to justice. Contact our office today for a free and private consultation.
History & Landmarks In Houston
Houston began as a frontier town, founded by brothers John K. and Augustus Allen in 1836. They named the town for their friend Sam Houston, who later became the first and third president of the short-lived Republic of Texas.
In the early 1900s, the city flourished as a commerce hub, thanks to its thriving river port. It continued to grow until it earned its current status as the largest Texas city in both land size and population density.
Houston Municipal Court
1400 Lubbock St
Houston, TX 77002
Houston Police Department (HPD
1200 Travis Street
Houston, TX 77002
Houston Methodist Hospital
6565 Fannin St
Houston, TX 77030
Houston Fire Department
500 Jefferson, Suite 1700
Houston, TX 77002
