Can I Sue for Online Sexual Abuse?

This content contains sensitive subject matter related to sexual abuse.

It can be difficult to escape online sexual abuse. Online abuse can happen anywhere, through your computer, phone, or online social media accounts. The laws have not done a very good job of keeping up with technology. Victims of online sexual harassment may be able to sue to stop the abuse and get compensation from the abusers.

Online harassment is a developing area of the law. If you want to know your legal rights to stop online sexual abuse, talk to an experienced sexual abuse attorney in your area for legal advice.

What Is Online Sexual Abuse?

Online sexual abuse can involve any type of sexual abuse, harassment, or stalking that takes place through the internet. Online sexual abuse can come from strangers, someone you know, or co-workers. Anyone can become a victim of sexual abuse, including children.

There are different types of online sexual abuse through different mediums. Common types of online sexual harassment can include:

• Sending unwanted comments about sexual violence or abuse
• Blackmail for videos of sexual acts or sexually explicit images
• Doxing, or someone posting your private contact information online
• Revenge porn
• Sexual cyberbullying
• Cyberstalking
• Sending or requesting explicit images of children

What Are Signs of Online Sexual Abuse?

For young people, their cell phones, tablets, or computers are an integral part of their daily lives. Family members and caregivers may not know when a child is subject to cyber harassment or sexual abuse through social media sites. Signs of online sexual abuse can be similar to signs of physical sexual abuse, including:

• Being secretive about what they are doing on social media platforms
• Having older online friends
• Having money or new things they can’t explain
• Spending more time online
• Inappropriate sexualized behavior or language

How Can I Stop Online Sexual Abuse?

It can be difficult to stop online sexual abuse, especially if you don’t know who is on the other end. The best way to avoid online sexual abuse is to stay offline. But that is not always an option.

Sexual abuse involving children online can be a state or federal crime. Sex crime laws involving minors are generally taken very seriously, and any sexual abuse involving a child should be reported to law enforcement or child protective services immediately.

For online harassment involving adults, victims can also report online sexual abuse to law enforcement. There are laws against making criminal threats, stalking, or sexual harassment. But the legal system has been slow to adapt to respond to online abuse.

What Are My Legal Options To Sue for Online Sexual Abuse?

There are developing criminal charges and civil laws that victims can use to respond to online sexual assault. Abuse like revenge porn is now against the law in most states, and victims may be able to file civil lawsuits to get financial compensation from abusers. Other civil cases to recover damages for victims of online abuse include:

• Copyright violations for sharing explicit images of another
• Negligent infliction of emotional distress tort
• Civil suit for online assault
• Defamation

The legal standard for civil court is lower than for criminal prosecution. Even if someone is never charged or convicted under criminal law, the victim can still sue someone and recover financial damages if they are injured by online sexual abuse. For any other questions about legal actions for online harassment, talk to a sexual abuse lawyer for legal advice.