Many survivors of sexual assault are never made aware of the numerous legal, medical, and psychological resources that are available to them either at low cost or entirely free of charge. Instead, we are often told by perpetrators and the institutions they are a part of that these resources will be too costly to pursue \u2013 that we should just give up. In 2018 alone, I was approached by multiple friends and acquaintances seeking resources after experiencing assault, who did not know they could obtain civil legal counsel either free of charge or on a contingency fee basis (meaning attorneys\u2019 fees are paid only from a portion of any eventual settlement reached). After realizing the extent to which even the most highly educated women are often unaware of their options and resources \u2013 and in many cases are actively misled \u2013 I sought to compile a list of area resources and attorneys who represent survivors on a contingency fee basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, while HLS has automatically provided students accused of sexual assault with a list of attorneys who defend alleged perpetrators in campus proceedings, no corresponding list of legal resources has been provided to survivors until now. The resources below are meant to help correct that inequity, and to provide survivors the support they deserve when commencing a process that too often invalidates the traumatic effects of sexual assault. Furthermore, the HLS Dean of Students Office has agreed to start directing students who report assault to this webpage, and the university-wide Office of Sexual Assault Prevention & Response has added these attorneys to their existing resources. I hope this list will be shared widely, and that more resources continue to be added each year. And ultimately, I hope Harvard Law School and its graduates start assuming greater moral leadership in the fight against the epidemic of sexual violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Victim Rights Law Center<\/a><\/strong> Boston Area Rape Crisis Center<\/a><\/strong> Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network<\/a> Massachusetts Rape Crisis Centers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mitchell Garabedian Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP Michael R. Harriman Kristin M. Knuuttila Office of Sexual Assault Prevention<\/a>
Additional VRLC-referred resources<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additional BARCC-referred resources<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nPrivate Attorneys<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Garabedian Law<\/a><\/strong>
100 State Street, 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02109
Phone: (888) 995-2214
Online Contact Form<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sanford Heisler Sharp<\/a> has offices in New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, San Diego, and Nashville.<\/strong>
Phone: (646) 402-5650
Online Contact Form<\/a>
\u201cSanford Heisler Sharp represents plaintiffs in individual matters and class actions nationwide. Sanford Heisler Sharp\u2019s Criminal\/Sexual Violence Practice Group draws on more than 30 years of experience in crime victim advocacy to provide survivors of criminal sexual violence\u2014who are confronted with the pain of their experience and a dizzying array of life-altering decisions, oftentimes with little or no guidance\u2014exceptional advocacy in their effort to find some measure of justice.
Sanford Heisler Sharp distinguishes itself by partnering with leading advocacy organizations and advocating for clients in the criminal and civil court systems. The Firm understands that survivors\u2019 rights are routinely violated in ways that harm their chances of bringing a civil lawsuit, since prosecutors represent the state\u2014not the survivor. Attorneys at the Firm are knowledgeable and well-prepared to help many survivors (especially those who are poor, LGBTQ, or part of a minority group) that can benefit from bringing lawsuits in both systems.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Harriman Law<\/a><\/strong>
92 State Street, 9th Floor
Boston, MA 02109
Phone: (617) 482-1723
mharriman@harriman-law.com
\u201cHarriman Law represents survivors of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, assault and rape by pursuing civil claims against perpetrators and third party employers, entities, and individuals responsible for their supervision and oversight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Knuuttila Law<\/a><\/strong>
175 Federal Street, Suite 1425
Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 600-3010
kmk@knuuttilalaw.com
\u201cAfter practicing at a larger firm for 20 years, Kristin founded Knuuttila Law to represent survivors \u2013 and only survivors \u2013 of sexual assault. The firm is singularly focused on holding perpetrators and negligent institutions accountable for the harm they cause.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nHarvard University Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Additional OSAPR-referred resources<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n