Sexual Abuse &
Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted, and every 9 minutes, that victim is a child. Studies show that when there is one victim, there are often many others. Unfortunately, sexual abuse is a widespread and devastating problem that affects people of all genders, ages, races, and levels of society. Whether it occurs at the hands of a doctor, caregiver, coach, family member, teacher, or stranger, survivors of sexual abuse and assault experience devastating emotional, psychological, and sometimes physical injuries, the effects of which can last a lifetime and affect generations to come.
Sexual abusers must be held accountable for their actions, and people and entities in a position of authority that fail to protect those in their care must answer for the abuses that happen on their watch. Only 25 out of every 1,000 perpetrators end up in prison, leaving many survivors feeling devastated and powerless. However, through a civil action, survivors can hold their abusers and the institutions that supported them accountable by proving misconduct, by demanding institutional change to deter future abuses, and by recovering monetary damages for their pain and suffering.
We understand the sensitive nature of sexual abuse and sexual assault matters, and that coming forward to discuss legal options after incidents of abuse or assault can be scary, overwhelming, and emotional. If you have been a victim of abuse or assault, we can help you understand your rights and your options in pursuing claims, as well as point you to resources which may help you on your road to recovery. We are mindful of how difficult it can be for victims to come forward, and we treat all discussions we have with you with the highest standard of confidentiality. No matter the circumstances of the abuse or the assault, it is important to know that it is not, and will never be, your fault.
At Kellogg & Van Aken LLP, we provide a safe, sensitive, and compassionate space for survivors to share their experience and learn about their legal options. We believe in our clients and work tirelessly to empower them with a voice. Partners Mikayla Kellogg and Kelly Van Aken are experienced trial attorneys and fearless advocates who will aggressively prosecute your case. Our attorneys have experience working on a wide range of sexual abuse matters, from highly publicized cases and multi-million-dollar exposure to cases in tandem with criminal investigations.
Dr. Dennis Kelly/USC Lawsuit
Have you or someone you care about been abused or discriminated against by USC’s Dr. Dennis Kelly? Kellogg & Van Aken LLP has filed a civil lawsuit against Dr. Dennis Kelly and the University of Southern California alleging sexual misconduct and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender. If you were a patient of Dr. Dennis Kelly, we would love to hear from you.