The first meeting with a sexual assault lawyer is a courageous step, as it involves trusting a stranger with your trauma.
We understand that this is often an anxiety-inducing experience, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the process.
For that reason, we’ve created this guide to help you prepare for a consultation with a sexual abuse attorney. Here, you’ll learn what to expect, including what the meeting covers and the power you have.
What to Expect During Your Sexual Abuse Attorney Consultation
What is a First Consultation with a Sexual Assault Lawyer?
A consultation is a fully confidential meeting between you and the attorney.
Its goal is for them to understand your case and for you to learn about your options. You are not obliged to make any decisions.
What Does a First Consultation with a Sexual Assault Lawyer Look Like?
Initial consultations take place either in person, by phone, or via remote video call. The choice is up to you.
In-person consultations are the most common, occurring in comfortable, private rooms at the law firm’s office. They typically last 60 to 90 minutes, but you can stop and leave at any moment.
Is It Confidential?
You have the right to confidentiality from the moment you reach out to the lawyer. That’s thanks to the attorney-client privilege laws.
Even without an agreement, everything discussed remains private. This applies to all communication, except for cases of ongoing child abuse that require mandatory reporting.
What Will Be Discussed?
In a first meeting with a sexual assault lawyer, you can expect the conversation to cover the core facts of your case.
Our lawyers always start by listening as openly as you want to share. This will help us understand the who, when, where, and duration of the abuse.
From that, the sexual abuse attorney can assess the viability of your case, such as the strength of evidence and the statute of limitations.
The outcome you’d like from the case will also be discussed, which ties in with an explanation of the legal options you have available – such as seeking compensation, accountability, or a class-action lawsuit (if others have been abused too).
Finally, if you’re ready to proceed, the lawyer will explain the timeline and fee expectations (a no-win, no-fee agreement).
Trauma-Informed Interview Approach
With a law firm that specializes in sexual abuse lawsuits, you can expect a trauma-informed approach.
That means you control the pacing of the conversation and that the lawyer understands the sensitive nature of your experience.
Our lawyers also understand that it can be difficult to open up and that memories are often fragmented. Our job is to listen and explain your options. There is no need to describe events in detail yet or make a decision.
Can I Bring a Support Person to My First Consultation with a Lawyer?
Yes. You can bring a trusted person to your consultation. This is a very common practice and can help you feel more comfortable.
The only time we recommend not bringing an individual is if they are likely to conflict with your interests. For example, if they’ve already doubted your account, if they want to protect the abuser (or institution, like a church), or anyone who has a habit of talking to you.
What to Bring to a Sexual Abuse Lawyer Consultation?
To ideally prepare for a sexual abuse attorney consultation, it can be wise to gather some key documents to help you get started. We understand that you may not have access to some of these yet, but if you do, we recommend bringing any of the following to the meeting or sending them to us:
Medical and Mental Health Records
- Emergency room reports from assault
- SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) exam results
- STI testing results
- Therapy/counseling records
- Psychiatric medication prescriptions
- Hospital admission records
Timeline Information
- Written chronology of abuse incidents
- Journal entries or a diary from the time period
- Photos showing injuries or distress
- Calendar entries or appointment records establishing dates
Law Enforcement and Institutional Reports
- Police reports or incident number
- Detective contact information
- Restraining order filings
- Title IX investigation reports (school/university)
- Child Protective Services (CPS) records
- Human resources complaints
Financial Records
- Medical bills related to assault or trauma treatment
- Therapy/counseling invoices
- Lost wage documentation
- Relocation costs if you moved for safety
- Security system installation receipts
Abuse Information
- The names of anyone who may have seen the abuse
- Expert witnesses who treated you
- Any text messages, voice mails, videos, or notes from the abuser
- Any communications you had with people you’ve retold your account to.
- The Full legal name and aliases of the abusers
- Their current address and employer, if available.
- Any history of abuse toward others
What If You Don’t Have Documentation?
Many survivors have no physical evidence. This is especially true in childhood abuse or those that took place many years ago.
If you don’t have documentation, the attorney can advise you on how to obtain records and will aid with this (such as through subpoenas and FOIA requests).
Using their expertise, they can also help you to link events to reconstruct the timeline. This is unlikely to happen during an initial consultation.
Questions to Ask a Sexual Abuse Attorney Before the First Consultation
These questions can help you judge if you’re working with an attorney who is trauma-informed and suitable for your case and sensitivity:
- Do you work on contingency (percentage of settlement)?
- What percentage do you take if the case settles vs. goes to trial?
- Have you represented survivors against this type of defendant (institution, family member, authority figure)?
- Are you trauma-informed, trained, or certified?
- Will you personally handle my case, or will you delegate it to junior attorneys?
- Do you work with expert witnesses on trauma, grooming, or memory?
- How do you handle media attention if the case becomes public?
You can also ask these questions to help you better understand your case:
- Is my case within the statute of limitations?
- What legal options do I have?
- What is the likely timeline from filing to resolution?
- What is the range of potential compensation in cases like mine?
You can ask the questions to help you prepare for what’s to come:
- Will I have to testify in a deposition or trial?
- How do you prepare clients for testimony?
- Can I bring a support person to depositions?
- What should I do if the defendant contacts me during litigation?
Before leaving, you may also want to ask:
- How often will you update me on case progress?
- Who should I contact with questions (you, the paralegal, or the case manager)?
- Do you provide referrals to therapists who specialize in trauma?
- Can you coordinate with my existing therapist?
- What support services do you connect clients with (victim advocates, support groups)?
What Happens After the Consultation?
After the consultation, it’s up to you to decide what happens next. A reputable attorney will not expect you to make a decision immediately, though they may offer their services right away. In other cases, they may require some time to review your case in more detail.
If you wish to consult multiple attorneys, you can do so.
If you wish to hire an attorney, you will sign a representation agreement and provide formal authorization to obtain records. They will likely then outline their timeline before beginning the investigation and evidence collection.
Confidentiality and Privacy Protections
Who Learns About Your Consultation?
Your sexual abuse consultation will remain strictly confidential at all times. Only the attorney and essential staff will know you had the meeting, and there will be no public record of it.
Can I use a Fake Name?
Yes, you can use a pseudonym during your initial consultations. Note that no public records exist at this stage. Moving forward, the use of a pseudonym depends on your state’s laws.
Further Resources:
- RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline for Women
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
- 1in6 Sexual Abuse Support for Men
Have a Free, Confidential Consultation with Our Sexual Abuse Lawyers Today
Shrader & Associates, L.L.P., welcomes you to contact us today if you’re seeking a first meeting with a sexual assault lawyer.
Our trauma-led sexual abuse specialist attorneys will aim to help clarify your situation and options, so you can make a decision that feels right. Our consultations are entirely confidential and don’t require you to make any decisions.
Feel free to contact us at 866-262-8170 or via our online contact form.