Ohio Sexual Assault Lawyer 

No one should ever have to endure the pain, trauma, and betrayal that come with sexual abuse or assault. If you are a survivor in Ohio, you are not alone, you are not without options, and there are sexual assault lawyers who can help you. Whether your abuse or assault happened recently or many years ago, you may have the right to seek justice through the civil court system, even if the perpetrator has not been criminally charged or convicted. A qualified Ohio sexual abuse lawyer can help you understand your rights, hold perpetrators accountable, and pursue financial compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. 

At Stronger Than, we help connect survivors with experienced sexual assault lawyers in Ohio who understand the complex legal and emotional challenges involved in these cases. Whether your abuse involved a school, church, medical institution, workplace, or someone you trusted, we can help. 

You deserve justice, closure, and support. Most importantly, you deserve all the information you can get on how to get all three. 

How Does Ohio Define Sexual Abuse or Assault? 

In Ohio, sexual abuse and sexual assault are defined under a range of criminal statutes, primarily grouped under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2907. These laws address various non-consensual sexual acts, including rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. 

Ohio’s legal system classifies sexual offenses based on the nature of the act, the age of the victim, and whether force, coercion, or manipulation was used. Importantly, under Ohio law: 

• Rape is defined as non-consensual sexual conduct by force or threat of force, or when the victim is unable to give consent due to age, mental state, or intoxication. 
• Sexual battery includes engaging in sexual conduct with someone who is unable to resist due to authority, coercion, or impairment. 
• Gross sexual imposition refers to unwanted sexual contact involving force or threats, often against minors or incapacitated individuals. 

A knowledgeable sexual assault attorney in Ohio can help you determine what legal definitions apply in your case and what options are available for justice. 

Is There a Lookback Period in Ohio? 

If you were sexually abused as a minor, you are likely required to file a lawsuit by the time you turn 30 years old.

Can I Sue the Person Who Sexually Assaulted Me?

Yes. Survivors of sexual assault in Ohio can pursue civil lawsuits against the individuals who harmed them, even if criminal charges were never filed or resulted in an acquittal. 

Unlike criminal trials, which are brought by the state and require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, civil lawsuits focus on compensating survivors and require a lower standard of proof. Civil claims may be filed against: 

• The perpetrator of the assault 
• Institutions that failed to prevent or report the abuse (e.g., churches, schools, hospitals) 
• Employers who negligently hired or supervised abusive employees 

An experienced Ohio sexual assault lawyer can guide you through the legal process and pursue all responsible parties. All you have to do in a civil sexual assault case is prove a preponderance of the evidence. 

Ohio Sex Abuse Lawsuits

What Damages Can Survivors Receive in a Sex Abuse Lawsuit? 

Survivors of sexual abuse in Ohio may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages. These can include: 

• Medical expenses (including therapy, hospitalization, and medication) 
• Lost income or earning capacity 
• Pain and suffering 
• Emotional distress 
• Punitive damages, which are intended to punish egregious behavior and deter future abuse 

A sexual assault attorney can work with medical experts, therapists, and economists to quantify the full impact of the abuse on your life and ensure that all possible compensation is pursued. 

How Much Compensation for Sexually Abused Victims Is Available?

There is no fixed amount for compensation in sexual abuse or assault lawsuits. Settlements and verdicts can range from thousands to millions of dollars, depending on: 

• The severity and duration of the abuse 
• The impact on your mental and physical health 
• Whether the defendant is an individual or an institution with significant resources 
• Whether punitive damages are awarded 
• Whether the abuse was part of a pattern of institutional neglect 

Working with an experienced Ohio sexual abuse attorney can significantly improve your chances of receiving fair and meaningful compensation. 

Ohio Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases 

For decades, survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Ohio have come forward with heartbreaking stories of betrayal, silence, and institutional cover-ups. Many of these cases involve abuse committed by Catholic priests, but religious abuse can occur in any faith tradition. Survivors may have been abused as children, teens, or adults, and often by someone they were taught to trust implicitly. 

A Widespread Crisis in Ohio’s Religious Institutions 

In recent years, multiple Catholic dioceses in Ohio—including the Diocese of Cleveland, Diocese of Columbus, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and Diocese of Toledo—have released lists of priests and clergy members who were credibly accused of sexual misconduct. These disclosures, while an important step toward transparency, only scratch the surface. Many survivors report that their experiences were ignored, buried, or actively covered up by church leadership for years. 

In many cases, known abusers were quietly transferred to other parishes rather than being removed from ministry. Survivors were discouraged from speaking out, and some were even shamed or blamed. Civil lawsuits filed in Ohio have exposed patterns of institutional negligence and deliberate concealment by church officials. 

Survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Ohio may have grounds to file civil lawsuits not only against the individual perpetrators but also against: 

• Churches, dioceses, or religious institutions that knowingly enabled abuse  
• Religious schools or youth programs affiliated with the church 
• Supervisors or bishops who failed to report, investigate, or act on known abuse 

Ohio Sex Trafficking Lawsuits 

Ohio ranks among the top states in the U.S. for reported cases of human trafficking, often involving minors. Survivors of sex trafficking in Ohio have the right to file civil claims against traffickers and the businesses that facilitated or ignored their abuse. This can include hotels, websites, or transport companies. 

A skilled Ohio sexual assault attorney can investigate your case and pursue damages against all responsible parties under Ohio Revised Code § 2307.51, which allows civil remedies for human trafficking victims. 

Ohio Medical Sexual Abuse Cases 

Doctors, therapists, and other medical professionals are trusted with intimate access to patients. When that trust is violated through inappropriate contact or assault, the impact is devastating. 

Medical sexual abuse cases may involve: 

• OB-GYNs, family doctors, or specialists 
• Psychiatrists or therapists 
• Chiropractors or massage therapists 
• Medical students or interns 

These cases may also involve claims of institutional negligence if a hospital or clinic failed to protect patients. An Ohio sexual abuse attorney can help navigate these complex cases. 

Ohio School Sexual Abuse Cases 

Sexual abuse in Ohio schools—whether by teachers, coaches, administrators, or other staff—can leave lifelong scars on survivors. Public and private schools alike have a legal duty to protect students and act on credible allegations of misconduct. 

You may have grounds to sue both the individual perpetrator and the school district or institution for: 

• Failing to report abuse 
• Ignoring warning signs 
• Improperly hiring or supervising staff 

A qualified sexual assault lawyer can help you uncover records, interview witnesses, and seek justice for school-based abuse. 

FAQs: Ohio Sexual Abuse Laws

What Are the Ohio Sex Offender Laws?

Ohio uses a three-tier classification system for registered sex offenders. Offenders are required to register with local law enforcement and are subject to public notification laws: 

• Tier I offenders must register for 15 years and update their address annually. 
• Tier II offenders must register for 25 years and report every 180 days. 
• Tier III offenders (those convicted of the most serious crimes, like rape) must register for life and report every 90 days. 

Information about registered sex offenders is available to the public through Ohio’s sex offender registry. 

Where Can Sex Offenders Live in Ohio? 

Ohio imposes residency restrictions on certain registered sex offenders, particularly those convicted of crimes against children. These individuals are generally prohibited from living within 1,000 feet of a school, daycare center, or playground. 

These laws are intended to protect the public but have also led to legal challenges around housing availability and constitutional rights. Your Ohio sexual assault lawyer can explain how these rules might impact your civil claim or ongoing safety concerns. 

Resources for Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Ohio 

Healing from sexual abuse takes time, and no one should have to go through it alone. Here are some resources for survivors in Ohio: 

• The National Human Trafficking Resource Center – A national hotline that connects people with anti-trafficking resources in the area, training, and technical assistance. The 24-hour hotline is 1-888-373-7888, and the text line is 233733 (BEFREE).
• Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence (OAESV) – Offers statewide advocacy and support, and crisis intervention.
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) – Provides 24/7 support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE).
• The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center – Serves Northeast Ohio with counseling, victim advocacy, and more
• The Ohio Department of Health – Offers links to rape crisis centers across the state.

An Ohio Sex Abuse Lawyer Is Here To Help 

Whether your abuse happened recently or decades ago, it is never too late to seek justice. The legal process can be daunting, but a dedicated Ohio sexual abuse lawyer can guide you every step of the way 

At Stronger Than, we believe survivors. We’re here to connect you with skilled sexual assault attorneys who will listen, fight for you, and help you reclaim your voice. They will be able to represent you with compassion, respect, and the strength you need to get justice. 

Let us help you find the support you deserve. Reach out today for a confidential consultation.