Sexual Assault Attorneys in Connecticut: Your Complete Legal Guide
If you or someone you love has survived sexual assault in Connecticut, this guide explains your legal rights, Connecticut’s key laws protecting survivors, and profiles five law firms that represent survivors in civil claims across the state.
Introduction
Connecticut has developed one of the more generous civil statute of limitations frameworks for sexual assault survivors in the Northeast. The state recognizes that survivors – particularly those abused as children – frequently cannot come forward for years or decades after the abuse. Connecticut law accordingly extends civil filing deadlines far beyond the general three-year personal injury limit, and eliminates the deadline entirely in cases where the perpetrator has been criminally convicted of first-degree sexual assault. Civil law in Connecticut gives survivors a meaningful avenue to pursue financial compensation from perpetrators and institutions, independent of whether criminal charges were ever filed or resulted in conviction.
Connecticut Sexual Assault Laws
Definitions and Criminal Offenses
Connecticut’s sexual offense statutes are found primarily in C.G.S. § 53a-70 through § 53a-73a.
Sexual Assault in the First Degree (C.G.S. § 53a-70) is committed when a person compels another to engage in sexual intercourse by the use of force or by threat of use of force, or engages in sexual intercourse with a person who is under 13 years of age, or who is mentally incapacitated or physically helpless. It is a class B felony (up to 20 years in prison). If the victim is under 10, it is a class A felony (up to 25 years). A subsequent offense is an unclassified felony carrying mandatory minimum sentences.
Aggravated Sexual Assault in the First Degree (C.G.S. § 53a-70a) covers first-degree sexual assault committed with a dangerous instrument, during commission of a kidnapping, or by two or more persons. It is a class A felony.
Sexual Assault in the Second Degree (C.G.S. § 53a-71) covers sexual intercourse with a person who is under 16 by an actor who is at least two years older, or with a person in custody when the actor is employed by the custodial institution. It is a class C felony (up to 10 years).
Sexual Assault in the Third Degree (C.G.S. § 53a-72a) covers compelled sexual contact, or sexual intercourse with someone who cannot consent due to mental incapacity, physical helplessness, or impaired judgment caused by the actor. It is a class D felony.
Unlawful Sexual Contact (C.G.S. § 53a-73a) covers sexual contact without consent under various circumstances. It is a class A misdemeanor, or a class D or C felony depending on circumstances.
Connecticut’s age of consent is 16. A close-in-age exception applies when both parties are between 13 and 16 and the age difference is not more than 2 years.
Statutes of Limitations
Criminal SOL
Under C.G.S. § 54-193, there is no criminal statute of limitations for class A or B felonies, including first-degree and aggravated first-degree sexual assault. For lesser felony sexual offenses, the criminal SOL is generally 5 years. For misdemeanor sexual offenses, the SOL is 1 year.
Civil SOL
Connecticut has a tiered civil SOL structure depending on the survivor’s age at time of abuse and the status of the criminal case.
For survivors abused as minors (under 18), the general civil SOL is 30 years from the date the survivor reaches the age of majority (age 18) – meaning claims can be filed up to the survivor’s 48th birthday. Under PA 19-16 (effective October 1, 2019), survivors of abuse that occurred on or after October 1, 2019 have until their 51st birthday to file (30 years from age 21). C.G.S. § 52-577d governs these claims.
For survivors where the perpetrator has been convicted of first-degree sexual assault or first-degree aggravated sexual assault, there is no civil statute of limitations whatsoever. C.G.S. § 52-577e, amended effective 2022, explicitly removes any time bar in these cases.
For adult survivors (18 or older at time of assault), the general civil SOL is 3 years from the date of the assault under C.G.S. § 52-577. Connecticut courts apply a discovery rule in certain circumstances, but this is applied conservatively for adult assault claims.
Connecticut has also periodically opened lookback windows for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Survivors should consult an attorney to determine if any current or prior window applies to their case.
Top 5 Sexual Assault Attorneys in Connecticut
1. Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C. (KJSR)
Phone: (203) 865-8430
Website: https://www.kennedyjohnson.com
Offices: New Haven (545 Long Wharf Dr, Suite 304), Norwalk, Stamford, West Hartford
KJSR is a Connecticut plaintiff firm founded in 1988 with more than 30 years of experience representing survivors of childhood sexual abuse and adult sexual assault in civil claims. The firm handles lawsuits against churches, universities, doctors, daycares, and foster care systems where institutions knew about abuse and failed to stop it. Attorneys identify all responsible parties beyond the individual perpetrator and litigate claims against institutions for negligent hiring, supervision, and retention. KJSR offers free, confidential consultations, handles cases on a contingency basis, and provides bilingual services in Spanish.
2. Bartlett & Grippe, LLC
Phone: (203) 463-4939
Website: https://bartlettgrippe.com
Address: Connecticut (multiple locations)
Attorneys: Frank C. Bartlett Jr., Joseph R. Grippe, Karen Gallagher, Jason Gamsby, Steven Grant, Ron Houde, Bryan Haas
Bartlett & Grippe is a Connecticut firm with a dedicated sexual abuse practice covering child sexual abuse, Boy Scout abuse, priest and clergy abuse, and medical sexual abuse. The firm has successfully tried sexual abuse cases to verdict, including a $2,750,000 jury verdict for a woman molested as a child 40 years prior, despite limited documentary evidence. Attorneys note that more than 95% of Connecticut sexual abuse cases settle before trial, but every case is prepared as if it will go to verdict. The firm files cases using aliases (John Doe / Jane Doe) at client request. Available 24/7; contingency fee basis.
3. Jainchill & Beckert, LLC
Phone: (860) 351-5254
Website: https://www.jblawct.com
Offices: Plainville, Glastonbury, CT
Attorneys: Aaron Jainchill, William Beckert, Kenneth J. Levine
Jainchill & Beckert is a Connecticut plaintiff firm with over 55 years of combined legal experience handling sexual abuse cases. The firm handles civil sexual abuse claims arising from rape, sexual assault, molestation, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation. Attorneys pursue claims against perpetrators and third-party institutions whose negligent hiring, supervision, or retention enabled the abuse. Free 24/7 case reviews available; contingency fee basis.
4. D’Amico Pettinicchi Injury Lawyers
Phone: (860) 945-6600
Website: https://damicopettinicchi.com
Offices: Watertown, Torrington, Waterbury, CT
D’Amico Pettinicchi is a Connecticut plaintiff firm with a dedicated child sex abuse practice. The firm represents survivors in civil claims against perpetrators and the institutions that enabled the abuse, including schools, religious organizations, youth programs, and medical facilities. Attorneys use diaries, disclosures to friends, prior similar acts, expert witnesses, and medical records to establish abuse that occurred decades ago. The firm evaluates all potential defendants for financial resources to ensure that any judgment or settlement can actually be paid. Free case evaluations available; contingency fee basis.
5. Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C. (Norwalk office)
For survivors in Fairfield County and southwestern Connecticut, KJSR’s Norwalk office provides the same depth of representation. The Norwalk team handles sexual assault and abuse cases statewide and is experienced in campus sexual assault, rideshare sexual assault (Uber and Lyft), and institutional childhood abuse. Contact: (203) 354-4559. Website: https://www.kennedyjohnson.com/norwalk/
Note: Tremont Sheldon P.C. (Bridgeport) is an additional well-regarded Connecticut sexual abuse firm that has advocated for survivors for more than 30 years. Their website was temporarily unavailable during research; their phone number is (203) 212-9075 and their website is https://www.tremontsheldon.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a civil sexual assault lawsuit in Connecticut?
It depends on your age at the time of the abuse. If you were abused as a minor, you generally have until your 48th birthday (or 51st if the abuse occurred on or after October 1, 2019). If the perpetrator was convicted of first-degree sexual assault or first-degree aggravated sexual assault, there is no time limit at all. For adult assault survivors, the general deadline is 3 years from the date of the assault.
Can I file a civil lawsuit if the perpetrator was never criminally charged?
Yes. A civil lawsuit proceeds independently of any criminal case. You can sue whether or not a police report was filed, whether or not charges were brought, and regardless of the outcome of any criminal trial. The civil burden of proof – more probable than not – is lower than the criminal standard.
Can I sue an institution, not just the individual perpetrator?
Yes. Connecticut law allows claims against schools, churches, youth programs, employers, daycares, and medical facilities that failed to prevent foreseeable abuse. Common theories include negligent hiring, negligent supervision, negligent retention, and failure to report. Institutions with insurance and financial resources are often the most important defendants in achieving meaningful compensation.
Will my name be made public if I file a lawsuit?
Many Connecticut attorneys file sexual abuse cases using a pseudonym (Jane Doe or John Doe) at the client’s request to protect privacy throughout the legal process.
Closing
Connecticut’s extended civil SOL and the elimination of any time limit for cases involving convicted perpetrators make it one of the more accessible states for survivors seeking civil justice. The firms listed above have extensive experience handling sexual abuse civil claims and offer free, confidential consultations.
For immediate crisis support, contact the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Connecticut’s statewide sexual assault crisis hotline is 888-999-5545, operated by the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence.