At Sauder Schelkopf, our experienced sex abuse lawyers are dedicated to fighting for survivors and holding traffickers and negligent parties accountable. Sex trafficking is a grave violation of human rights that exploits vulnerable individuals through force, fraud, or coercion. If you or a loved one is a victim of human trafficking, you may have legal options to pursue justice and financial compensation. Our sex abuse attorneys are here to guide you through your rights and legal options.
What Is Sex Trafficking?
Sex trafficking is a form of human trafficking where individuals, often minors, are forced, deceived, or coerced into commercial sex work. Traffickers target vulnerable individuals through manipulation, false promises, and threats. Perpetrators can include individuals, organized crime networks, businesses, and even corporations that knowingly allow trafficking to occur.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Sex Trafficking?
Victims of sex trafficking may have the right to file lawsuits against multiple parties who facilitated or ignored the abuse, including:
- Hotels & Motels that knowingly allowed trafficking on their premises
- Social Media Platforms & Websites used to recruit or advertise victims
- Employers & Businesses profiting from forced commercial sex work
- Transportation Services (e.g., rideshare companies, truck stops) that failed to intervene
- Individuals or Organizations that engaged in or financially benefited from trafficking
Common Signs of Sex Trafficking
Understanding the warning signs of sex trafficking is crucial in identifying and helping victims. Common indicators include:
- Unexplained bruises, burns, or malnourishment
- Fearful or anxious behavior, particularly around authority figures
- Lack of control over identification, money, or communication
- Sudden changes in relationships, living situations, or access to basic needs
- Frequent movement from place to place, restricting personal freedom
Your Legal Rights & How Our Sex Abuse Lawyers Can Help
Victims of human trafficking have rights under state and federal law, including the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), which enables survivors to seek damages from traffickers and third parties that facilitated their abuse. At Sauder Schelkopf, our sex abuse attorneys can help:
- Investigate trafficking claims and gather necessary evidence
- File lawsuits against traffickers and negligent third parties
- Seek financial compensation for medical expenses, emotional trauma, and lost wages
- Advocate for stronger anti-trafficking policies to prevent future exploitation
Contact a Sex Abuse Attorney for a Free & Confidential Case Review
If you or a loved one is a survivor of sex trafficking, you are not alone. Our lawyers provide compassionate and confidential legal assistance to help you fight for justice.
Contact Sauder Schelkopf today for a free, confidential case evaluation. Our sex abuse attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Call us today or fill out our online form to speak with an experienced sex abuse lawyer.
Contact Our Law Firm:
Our experienced legal team is dedicated to advocating for survivors of sexual abuse. We offer confidential consultations to discuss your case and explore potential legal avenues.
Sauder Schelkopf is a nationally recognized law firm specializing in sexual abuse litigation, with a proven track record of securing significant settlements and achieving systemic reforms for survivors.
Notable Achievements:
- University of Southern California (USC) Settlement: The firm, in collaboration with co-counsel, secured a historic $215 million settlement on behalf of female patients of Dr. George Tyndall, a USC gynecologist accused of sexual misconduct since the 1990s. This settlement is among the largest in sex abuse cases and includes provisions for systemic changes in reporting and investigating sexual abuse on campus.
- Ohio State University (OSU) Litigation: Representing former students and athletes, Sauder Schelkopf is involved in litigation concerning sexual misconduct by Dr. Richard Strauss, a former OSU doctor. In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear OSU’s appeal, allowing the case to proceed to trial.
- As of January 2025, Ohio State University has paid approximately $40.9 million to settle lawsuits from 162 men who alleged sexual abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss, a former team doctor.
- In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear OSU’s appeal, allowing lawsuits brought by alleged sexual abuse victims of Dr. Strauss to proceed.
- As of October 2023, five lawsuits involving 236 men remained pending.
- University of Michigan Settlement: The firm achieved a class action settlement against the University of Michigan, resulting in landmark institutional reforms addressing on-campus sexual misconduct.
- Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Lawsuit: Sauder Schelkopf filed a lawsuit against Devereux, alleging sexual, physical, and emotional abuse of children in their care. The firm is seeking compensatory and other damages for the victims.
- Glen Mills Schools Abuse Lawsuit: The firm is representing former students of The Glen Mills Schools, a now-closed detention center, in a class action lawsuit seeking damages for physical and sexual abuse suffered during their time there.
Through these and other cases, Sauder Schelkopf has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advocating for survivors of sexual abuse, achieving substantial financial settlements, and driving meaningful changes within institutions to prevent future misconduct.
Experience Matters
Sauder Schelkopf has a nationally recognized litigation practice. The firm currently serves as court-appointed lead counsel in courts across the country. The attorneys at Sauder Schelkopf have recovered over $1 billion on behalf of their clients and class members. Our firm was recognized by the Legal Intelligencer’s 2022 Professional Excellence Awards. The Legal Intelligencer’s Professional Excellence Awards honor Pennsylvania law firms and attorneys who have made a significant, positive impact on the legal profession. Our firm was named in the Litigation Departments of the Year (Specialty Area category; runner-up), an award that honors the best litigation practice in a small or mid-sized firm in Pennsylvania. This recognition was based on the firm’s 2021 litigation work and its important ongoing cases. LawDragon has recognized our attorneys in its list of the “500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers” for 2022. This list notes: “From the opioid epidemic to toxic substances and defective products, truck accidents to wildfires and sexual abuse, these are the lawyers who stand on the front line in individual lawsuits and class actions seeking justice.” Mr. Schelkopf was named to Pennsylvania’s Best Lawyers® 2022 for Class Actions/Mass Tort Litigation. The American Lawyer named Mr. Sauder to its 2021 Northeast Trailblazers. The honor recognizes 60 lawyers who are “truly agents of change.” It “recognizes professionals in the Northeast who have moved the needle in the legal industry.” The Legal Intelligencer named Mr. Sauder and Mr. Schelkopf in its 2020 Pennsylvania Trailblazers list recognizing 31 lawyers who “have taken extra measures to contribute to positive outcomes . . . and who are truly agents of change.” The Legal highlighted the firm’s innovative work on advocacy as class counsel in large institutional sex abuse cover-ups, women’s, and children’s rights. Our attorneys have also consistently been recognized by their peers being named to Pennsylvania SuperLawyer, a distinction held by the top 5% of attorneys in Pennsylvania. The National Trial Lawyers Association has also selected our attorneys as the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania.
We Want to Hear from You
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual misconduct, you can confidentially contact the lawyers at Sauder Schelkopf by filling out the form on this page or calling 888.711.9975