College Campus Sexual Assault Attorneys

College should be a time of growth, learning, and independence. But for too many students, that experience is shattered by sexual assault on campus. If you or your child has been sexually assaulted by another student, a professor, a coach, or any campus affiliate, you are not alone—and you have legal options.

The New York college campus sexual assault attorneys at AWK Survivor Advocate Attorneys represent survivors and their families in cases involving public universities, private colleges, community colleges, dorms, fraternities, sororities, athletic facilities, and off-campus university-sponsored events throughout New York State and beyond.

According to the RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network):

• 13% of all undergraduate students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation.
• Among undergraduate women, that number rises to 26%.
• Only 20% of female student survivors report the assault to law enforcement.

An Association of American Universities (AAU) campus climate survey found that more than 1 in 4 undergraduate women experience sexual contact involving force or incapacitation during their time in college.

When a college fails to prevent, investigate, or respond to sexual assault, it may be held legally liable under Title IX and state law.

Campus sexual assault includes any unwanted sexual contact, harassment, or exploitation that occurs:

• In on-campus housing (dorms, residence halls)
• At fraternity or sorority houses
• At off-campus university-sponsored events or parties
• In classrooms, libraries, or athletic facilities
• In university-owned vehicles or shuttles

Perpetrators may include:

• Other students (classmates, roommates, acquaintances)
• Professors, teaching assistants, or academic advisors
• Coaches, athletic trainers, or sports staff
• Resident advisors (RAs) or campus security personnel

Survivors often struggle to disclose what happened. Warning signs that a college student may have experienced sexual assault include:

If you notice these signs in a college student, trust your instincts. Early support can make a profound difference.

1. Prioritize safety – Get the survivor to a safe location away from the perpetrator.
2. Listen without judgment – Believe the survivor. Avoid asking "why" questions.
3. Seek medical care – Even without visible injuries, a sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE) can preserve evidence.
4. Contact campus Title IX coordinator – Colleges are required to respond under federal law.
5. Report to local law enforcement – A criminal investigation can run alongside a civil claim.
6. Speak with an experienced campus sexual assault attorney – Legal guidance can help protect the survivor's rights, preserve evidence, and pursue compensation.

Do not wait. Evidence can disappear, and memories can fade. Early legal action also helps ensure the college does not retaliate or mishandle the investigation.

Survivors may experience lasting physical, emotional, and academic consequences, including:

• PTSD, panic attacks, or major depression
• Difficulty trusting peers, professors, or authority figures
• Academic decline, dropping out, or transferring
• Chronic pain, gastrointestinal issues, or sexual dysfunction
• Substance abuse as a coping mechanism
• Suicidal ideation

A civil lawsuit can provide access to long-term therapy, financial stability, and a sense of accountability that aids the healing process.

Our campus sexual assault attorneys have over 30 years of combined experience representing survivors of institutional abuse, including against colleges and universities.

We also help survivors navigate Title IX complaints, campus disciplinary proceedings, and parallel criminal cases while building a strong civil claim for damages.
You deserve justice. Your education should not be defined by trauma.