How Do I Protect My Safety and Privacy, or Remain Anonymous When Coming Forward About Sexual Abuse?
Civil and criminal laws across the country protect victims of sexual violence, especially when those victims were or are children. Even if the predator is still in your life, you can take measures to continue to protect yourself and your family.
In many states, there are laws that allow survivors of child sex abuse to file lawsuits without disclosing their identity. This protects your privacy and allows you to engage in the civil process in a safe and confidential way.
Will the Church Release My Name Without My Permission?
If you decide to file a lawsuit using a pseudonym (for example “John Doe” or “Jane Doe”) all parties involved in the lawsuit must keep your name confidential. It is your decision as to when, how and if your name is ever publicly revealed.
Will My Priest or Parish Find Out?
It is important to first note that if you contact us, any information you share will be kept completely confidential. One of our top priorities is always respecting and maintaining the privacy and anonymity of survivors. Additionally, if you wish for your lawsuit to be something that your parish or community is unaware of, we recommend you connect with your law firm to learn all of your legal options.
When a lawsuit is filed, it is filed publicly in court and that is not something we are able to change. However, a lawsuit can usually be filed under a pseudonym, like John or Jane Doe, instead of using your actual name. That way your identity can remain anonymous and confidential when a lawsuit is filed on your behalf. This typically allows for any identifying details of your lawsuit to remain private from the public. However, if a perpetrator or parish is identified in the lawsuit, there is a legal right for them to be made aware of the lawsuit and to obtain a copy of the filed lawsuit.
If you are thinking of taking legal action, but are worried about your privacy, it can be helpful to speak to an attorney with experience in representing survivors. Experienced attorneys can help you think through who to tell in order to best protect your goals for pursuing justice and healing in a way that feels most safe and comfortable to you.
Will People See Me in Court?
Most civil lawsuits are resolved before the case reaches trial. If you are required to appear in court for any reason throughout the duration of your case, we will discuss this with you in advance of the court date. Most court hearings only require the attorneys to be present and are often held telephonically or via video conference.
Will the Press Find Out About Me and Figure Out Who I Am?
It is very unlikely the press will find out about you unless you decide to tell them and come forward publicly.
If you file a case and want to protect your identity, you can usually file a lawsuit with a pseudonym, typically listed as a “Jane Doe” or a “John Doe.” This means your name will not be listed on the lawsuit and your name will not be publicly available, which will help to maintain your privacy.
If your case is publicized in any way, you will still only be known as a “Doe” and no identifying information about you will be made public. It is important to note that we do not share any information with the media about any client unless our clients have provided full consent and are 100% comfortable with the situation.
The decision to make your name public is entirely yours and the vast majority of survivors choose to remain a Doe, even after the case settles.
If you are thinking of taking legal action, but are worried about your privacy, it can be helpful to speak to an attorney with experience in representing survivors. Experienced attorneys can help you think through who to tell, and in what order in order to best protect your goals for pursuing justice and healing in a way that feels most safe and comfortable to you.
Could There be Professional/Personal Retaliation Against Me for Coming Forward?
If you come forward and share your experience with an attorney or advocate at Jeff Anderson & Associates, we will discuss any questions and concerns you may have regarding your case, including any concerns about potential retaliation.
If you are thinking of taking legal action, but are worried about your privacy, it can be helpful to speak to an attorney with experience in representing survivors. Experienced attorneys can help you think through who to tell in order to best protect your goals for pursuing justice and healing in a way that feels most safe and comfortable to you.
Do I Have to Tell My Boss, Coworkers, or Clients about the Sexual Abuse?
You do not need to tell anyone about your case unless you want to. Telling others about being sexually abused is a very personal choice; what is right for one survivor may not be right for another survivor.
Is My Social Media Safe? Are Other People Going to Post Things About Me Without My Permission?
It is important to first note that if you contact us, any information you share will be kept completely confidential. One of our top priorities is always respecting and maintaining the privacy and anonymity of survivors. Additionally, if you wish for your lawsuit to be something that your friends, family, or community is unaware of, we recommend you connect with your law firm to learn all of your legal options. When a lawsuit is filed, it is filed publicly in court and that is not something we are able to change. A lawsuit can usually be filed under a pseudonym, like John or Jane Doe, instead of using your actual name. That way your identity can remain anonymous and confidential when a lawsuit is filed on your behalf. However, if a survivor did disclose their abuse to others and someone posted about it on social media, that is not something that we are able to control.
While your case is ongoing, we ask that you use discretion with social media and protect your health and privacy as much as possible. However, it is your choice who you speak to about the abuse, and what you post on social media.
Social media can also be an incredible tool helping to change public perception about sexual abuse. But it is critical to speak to an attorney with experience in navigating public communication if you are pursuing legal action to wield this tool effectively.