Supporting Survivors Through Legal Action — Recent and Historic Cases
Childhood sexual abuse is a devastating violation of trust and safety. It leaves deep emotional, psychological, and sometimes physical scars that can take years — or a lifetime — to heal. At O’Brien Law Firm, we believe every survivor deserves a voice and a path to justice, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.
Our firm is dedicated to holding abusers and negligent institutions accountable through civil lawsuits. Whether the abuse happened recently or decades ago, we can help you understand your rights and legal options.
Why Survivors Are Seeking Civil Justice
While the criminal justice system plays an important role in prosecuting offenders, many survivors find that criminal cases alone do not provide full closure or accountability — especially when charges are never filed, or a conviction is not secured.
Civil lawsuits give survivors the power to:
Hold individual perpetrators financially accountable
Even when criminal charges are unavailable or unsuccessful, civil courts provide a path to pursue justice and restitution.
Recover financial compensation for trauma-related damages
This may include costs for therapy, lost wages, emotional distress, and more.
Promote change and protect future generations
Civil cases often prompt reforms, policy changes, and public awareness.
Sue institutions that failed to prevent or report abuse
Organizations like schools, churches, or camps that ignored red flags or covered up abuse can be held liable for negligence.
Tell their story and reclaim power over their narrative
Survivors can share their experience in a structured legal process that centers their voice.
Civil claims can proceed even if no criminal charges are filed or if the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution has expired. They are not about revenge — they’re about empowerment, accountability, and healing.
Understanding Missouri’s Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse
Missouri law recognizes the unique nature of childhood sexual abuse and provides extended timeframes for survivors to take legal action. However, the timeline varies depending on who is being sued.
Suing the Perpetrator Directly
Survivors have until age 31 to file a civil lawsuit against the individual perpetrator of the abuse. This gives individuals time to process what happened, seek support, and come forward when they are ready.
Suing the Church, Diocese, or Religious Organization
When filing against a non-perpetrator, such as an organization that enabled the abuse or failed to act, survivors must generally file their claim by the time they turn 26.
These limits apply to civil claims under state law and may be affected by various factors, including repressed memories, mental health diagnoses, or new evidence. Certain claims may still proceed outside these timelines, depending on the specifics of the case.
Federal Claims
Many federal civil claims related to child sexual abuse — such as those under the Child Victims Act or federal civil rights laws — are not subject to a statute of limitations. This opens another legal path for some survivors, even when state limitations have expired.
Every case is different. At O’Brien Law Firm, we will carefully evaluate your circumstances and determine whether legal action is still available.
What Types of Abuse Can Be the Basis for a Civil Lawsuit?
Survivors of child sexual abuse come from every background, and no two stories are exactly alike. The legal system recognizes many types of abuse as the basis for a civil lawsuit. At O’Brien Law Firm, we pursue claims involving:
Abuse by a Teacher, Coach, or School Employee
Schools and extracurricular programs have a legal and ethical duty to protect children from harm. When teachers, coaches, or staff engage in grooming behaviors, inappropriate relationships, or outright sexual abuse, the school district may also bear responsibility for hiring, supervision, or failing to act on prior warning signs.
Sexual Abuse in Camps, Daycares, or Youth Programs
When children are entrusted to programs like summer camps, daycares, or scouting organizations, the adults in charge have a heightened responsibility to ensure their safety. Unfortunately, some of these organizations have failed to conduct proper background checks or have ignored red flags — leading to preventable abuse.
Family or Household Member Abuse
Abuse by a parent, step-parent, sibling, or other family member often carries an added layer of silence and shame. Even if the abuser was never charged criminally, a civil case may still be possible — especially if third parties like schools, churches, or medical professionals failed to report suspected abuse.
Clergy Abuse and Abuse by Religious Leaders
Clergy abuse cases often involve institutional cover-ups. Survivors who were abused by priests, ministers, or religious mentors may have legal claims against both the individual perpetrator and the religious organization that protected them. We handle these cases with discretion and care, especially when survivors still struggle with faith-related trauma.
Foster Care and Group Home Abuse
Children placed in foster care or institutional homes are among the most vulnerable. When abuse occurs in these settings, we investigate not only the foster parent or staff member but also the agency, state contractor, or caseworker who may have failed to vet, monitor, or intervene.
Online Exploitation, Grooming, or Sextortion
In today’s digital world, abuse doesn’t always require physical contact. Children manipulated through social media, messaging apps, or video platforms may have claims if institutions (such as schools or tech platforms) enabled the abuse or failed to intervene.
Child Pornography or Exploitation Rings
If a survivor learns later in life that they were filmed or photographed in explicit material as a child, they may have the right to sue distributors, producers, and even companies that failed to remove the content once notified.
Even if you’re unsure whether what happened to you “counts” as abuse — or you’ve never told anyone before — we are here to listen. You do not need to prove your story alone. We work to uncover records, identify patterns, and build a strong case rooted in truth.
Institutions We May Hold Accountable
Many survivors were abused not in isolation, but within systems that failed them. Schools, churches, youth programs, and government agencies often had the power to prevent the abuse — but didn’t.
O’Brien Law Firm aggressively investigates and pursues claims against:
Public and Private Schools
This includes school districts, private academies, and boarding schools. We examine whether administrators ignored signs of grooming, failed to report complaints, or rehired known offenders.
Youth Sports Leagues and Camps
From Little League teams to overnight camps, we hold organizations responsible when they hire abusers, fail to perform background checks, or overlook staff who blur professional boundaries with children.
Foster Agencies and State Contractors
The state and its contracted agencies have a duty to protect children placed in foster care or group homes. When they fail to screen foster parents or investigate reports of abuse, they can be held liable.
Religious Institutions
Churches and religious networks sometimes protected predators at the expense of children. If a diocese or religious organization knew about past misconduct and reassigned or shielded the abuser, it can be held liable for negligence and cover-up.
Daycares and Afterschool Programs
These programs must maintain strict child protection policies. We investigate whether proper supervision was in place, whether prior complaints were ignored, and whether state or licensing violations occurred.
Juvenile Facilities and Treatment Centers
Children in state custody, rehabilitation, or treatment settings are often isolated and silenced. If a child was assaulted while institutionalized, civil claims can be brought against the agency or facility.
Youth Ministries, Scouting Programs, and National Nonprofits
National organizations such as the Boy Scouts or other youth ministries may be sued when local chapters fail to protect participants from known dangers.
Compensation for Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse
No amount of money can undo the trauma of childhood sexual abuse. But financial compensation can help support survivors as they heal, rebuild, and move forward with their lives. At O’Brien Law Firm, we pursue full and fair damages for every survivor we represent.
Survivors may be entitled to compensation for:
Mental Health Treatment and Counseling
Civil damages can cover past, current, and future costs of therapy, psychiatric care, and other necessary treatments. Survivors should not bear these expenses alone.
Pain and Suffering
These are non-economic damages recognizing the emotional and psychological toll of abuse — including PTSD, fear, shame, or suicidal ideation — that may affect a survivor’s daily life for years.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
Survivors may face costs for relocation, security upgrades, or alternative housing. These costs are often recoverable in a civil claim.
Lost Income or Earning Potential
Trauma often impacts education and employment. We fight to recover wages lost due to anxiety, depression, or other abuse-related conditions, including diminished long-term earnings.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Many survivors find it difficult to trust others, build relationships, or experience joy in everyday activities. This loss may be factored into a legal claim as part of their overall harm.
Punitive Damages
When institutions knowingly enabled abusers or ignored repeated warnings, we pursue punitive damages to hold them accountable and prevent future harm.
What If the Abuse Happened Decades Ago?
Many survivors do not come forward until well into adulthood — often in their 30s, 40s, or even later. This is normal. It is never too late to talk to a lawyer and learn your options.
Attorney Grant Boyd has extensive experience handling historic child sexual abuse cases. He understands the unique challenges involved, such as:
We treat every survivor with compassion, respect, and confidentiality. If legal action is possible in your case — even decades later — we will fight to make it happen.
How O’Brien Law Firm Supports Clergy Abuse Survivors
Attorney Grant Boyd brings a trauma-informed, survivor-first approach to every case. We recognize the courage it takes to speak out and offer:
- Free and confidential consultations
- No upfront fees — we only get paid if we win your case
- Private, compassionate case handling
- Thorough investigation into institutions or individuals responsible
- Strong legal advocacy in and out of court
You are not alone. We walk with you every step of the way, helping you regain power over your story and pursue meaningful accountability.
What to Expect When You Contact Us
You Are Not Alone. You Are Not to Blame
Childhood sexual abuse is never the victim’s fault. If someone harmed you have every right to seek justice.
You deserve to be heard. You deserve accountability. And you deserve to heal.
Attorney Grant Boyd and the O’Brien Law Firm are here to support you. We’ve helped many survivors move forward with strength and dignity, and we are ready to help you too
Contact Missouri Child Sexual Abuse Attorney Grant Boyd Today
Your story matters. Your healing matters. And justice is possible.
If you or someone you love is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse in Missouri, contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. We will listen. We will believe you. And we will stand with you.