Workplace Sexual Assault Attorneys

Your job should be a place of safety, dignity, and respect. But for many workers, the workplace becomes a site of trauma, fear, and exploitation. If you have been sexually assaulted or harassed by a supervisor, coworker, client, or customer while on the job, you are not alone—and you have powerful legal options.

The New York workplace sexual assault attorneys at AWK Survivor Advocate Attorneys represent survivors in cases involving private companies, government agencies, non‑profits, restaurants, hotels, retail stores, healthcare facilities, construction sites, and any other work environment throughout New York State.

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and RAINN:

• 1 in 3 women has experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.
• 1 in 4 men has experienced some form of workplace sexual harassment or assault.
• 87% of workers who experience workplace sexual harassment never file a formal complaint.
• The restaurant, hospitality, healthcare, and retail industries report the highest rates of workplace sexual misconduct.

An EEOC task force report found that workplace sexual harassment is so widespread that it has become "routine" in many sectors. When an employer fails to prevent, investigate, or respond to sexual assault at work, it can be held legally liable.

Workplace sexual assault includes any unwanted sexual contact, coercion, or harassment that occurs:

• On employer premises (offices, warehouses, break rooms, restrooms)
• At off‑site work events (conferences, holiday parties, client dinners)
• In company vehicles or during work‑related travel
• During remote work interactions (video calls, messages, emails)

Perpetrators may include:

• Supervisors, managers, or executives
• Coworkers or subordinates
• Clients, customers, patients, or vendors
• Contractors or temporary workers

Survivors of workplace sexual assault often hide their trauma out of fear of retaliation or job loss. Warning signs that an employee may have experienced assault include:

If you notice these signs in yourself or a coworker, trust your instincts. Early action can protect rights and prevent further harm.

1. Get to a safe location – Remove yourself from the immediate threat if possible.
2. Seek medical care – A sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE) can preserve evidence even if you are unsure about reporting.
3. Document everything – Save emails, texts, photos, or notes about the incident and any prior concerning behavior.
4. Report internally – Notify HR or a trusted supervisor, but know that employers may not always act in your interest.
5. File with EEOC or state agency – You have the right to file a discrimination or harassment charge. Deadlines are short (often 180 or 300 days).
6. Speak with an experienced workplace sexual assault attorney – An attorney can help you preserve claims against both the perpetrator and the employer, even if you never file a police report.

⚠️ Do not delay. Evidence disappears, and legal deadlines (statutes of limitations) can be as short as one year in some cases.

Survivors may experience lasting professional, financial, and personal consequences, including:

• PTSD, depression, or panic disorder
• Loss of income or career derailment
• Inability to trust colleagues or authority figures
• Physical health problems (chronic pain, gastrointestinal issues)
• Substance abuse as a coping mechanism
• Suicidal ideation

A civil lawsuit can provide compensation for medical care, lost wages, therapy, and the emotional toll of the assault. It also forces employers to implement meaningful workplace safety measures.

Our workplace sexual assault attorneys have over 30 years of combined experience representing survivors of institutional abuse, including against employers of all sizes.

We also help survivors navigate EEOC charges, state human rights complaints, and parallel criminal cases while building a strong civil claim for damages.

You have the right to a safe workplace. You deserve justice.