Phoenix Sexual Assault Attorneys
Experienced Sexual Abuse Lawyers
Sexual Abuse in Facility Care Is a Lasting Violation of Trust
Sexual abuse in facility care is rarely an isolated incident. It often signals deeper failures that place other residents at risk. Understanding how and why abuse occurs in nursing homes and care facilities is a critical step toward accountability and prevention.
Arizona-Wide Representation
Offices in Phoenix, Tucson & Globe
AZ Board Certified Specialist*
in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
No Cost or Fees
Unless We Win
“Sexual abuse leaves scars that no verdict can fully heal — but accountability is a powerful step toward recovery. At MKR, we fight for survivors with compassion and resolve, exposing the truth, confronting those responsible, and helping victims turn pain into strength.”
Jeffrey Miller
AZ Board Certified Specialist
in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
What to Expect When Working With Us
We understand that coming forward after sexual abuse can be incredibly difficult. Our team will guide you through every step of the legal process with care, confidentiality, and respect, ensuring your voice is heard and your rights are protected.
1. Initial Consultation
We’ll listen to your story, review available documentation, and provide an honest assessment of your case. This consultation is free, and there’s no obligation to proceed.
2. Investigation Phase
If we take your sexual abuse case, we begin an extensive investigation to uncover every detail and document of what occurred. This may include gathering medical and psychological records, law enforcement reports, witness statements, digital communications, and institutional records, complaints, or prior incident reports. When necessary, we collaborate with trauma experts, forensic specialists, and investigators to establish a clear picture of the abuse and identify every party responsible. Our goal is to build a strong, evidence-based case that supports your story and ensures accountability.
3. Claim Development
We’ll calculate the full extent of your damages and prepare comprehensive settlement demands or legal filings.
4. Negotiation or Litigation
We’ll pursue fair compensation through negotiation when possible, but we’re always prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.
Record-Setting
$28 Million
Psychiatric Malpractice Case in Arizona
With decades of experience and a deep understanding of complex litigation, Miller Kory Rowe stands beside families facing life-altering cases.
Details Specific to our Phoenix Location
- District of Arizona | United States District Court
- Maricopa County Superior Court
- Phoenix Municipal Court
- Arizona Judicial Branch
Our Phoenix office: 650 N. 3RD Ave, Phx, AZ 85003
Sexual Abuse in Care Facilities, Arizona Data and Oversight
Sexual abuse in nursing homes and care facilities is difficult to measure precisely, largely because many victims are unable to report abuse due to cognitive impairment, physical limitations, fear of retaliation, or lack of credibility given to their complaints. Even so, available Arizona data and enforcement records show that abuse in facility settings is a real and ongoing concern.
In Arizona, allegations of sexual abuse in licensed nursing homes, assisted living facilities, group homes, and similar care settings are investigated by the Arizona Department of Health Services. These investigations regularly identify cases involving staff-on-resident abuse, resident-on-resident abuse where supervision failed, and situations where facilities ignored warning signs or prior complaints.
State and federal oversight reports show that:
Sexual abuse allegations in long-term care facilities are consistently underreported, particularly when residents have dementia or communication impairments.
A significant share of substantiated cases involve caregivers or facility employees, not outside intruders.
Many confirmed incidents occur in facilities that had prior violations for staffing shortages, poor supervision, or failure to protect residents from known risks.
Facilities are frequently cited not only for the abuse itself, but for failing to report allegations promptly, failing to remove alleged perpetrators, or failing to implement safeguards after earlier incidents.
These findings reinforce a critical point. Sexual abuse in facility care is rarely a sudden, unforeseeable event. It often occurs in environments where supervision is inadequate, safeguards are weak, and prior warning signs were ignored.
Types of Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse includes any act of a sexual nature committed without clear, voluntary consent. It can involve physical contact or non-physical behaviors that violate a person’s privacy, safety, or bodily autonomy.
According to the National Institute of Justice, common forms of sexual abuse include:
- Unwanted sexual touching or groping
- Coercive sexual acts, even without physical force
- Invasive or inappropriate exposure
- Pressuring someone into sexual activity
- Filming or sharing private images without permission
- Watching or recording someone in private without their knowledge
- Using a position of power to manipulate or control someone sexually
- Acts committed against individuals who are unconscious, intoxicated, or legally unable to consent
These actions are serious violations, regardless of whether threats or weapons are used. In civil cases, survivors can seek justice by holding both the individual and any enabling institution accountable.
Understanding Arizona Sexual Abuse Claims
In Arizona, survivors of sexual abuse can file a civil claim to hold both individuals and institutions legally accountable.
To succeed, the claim must demonstrate that the defendant’s actions or failure to act directly caused the harm.
This may involve direct abuse by a perpetrator, negligent supervision by employers or guardians, or violations of Arizona’s mandatory reporting laws when known abuse was ignored.
Building a strong case requires detailed evidence, including medical records, expert opinions, and witness testimony. These civil claims not only provide a path to compensation but also serve as a powerful tool for exposing systemic failures and preventing future abuse.
For more on Arizona’s civil process for abuse claims, visit the Arizona Judicial Branch’s civil law page.
Legal Protections for Sexual Assault Survivors in Arizona
Arizona law provides multiple legal paths for survivors of sexual abuse to seek justice, safety, and compensation. These protections apply whether the abuse was committed by an individual or allowed to happen within an institution.
Legal options include:
Criminal Proceedings – Under Arizona Revised Statutes Title 13, Chapter 14, offenders can face felony charges, prison time, and mandatory sex offender registration. Criminal courts may also order restitution for counseling, medical bills, and lost income.
Protective Orders – Survivors may file for Emergency Orders of Protection to receive immediate, ex parte relief. These can bar the abuser from coming near the survivor’s home, workplace, or school, often within hours of filing. For longer-term safety, courts can issue Preliminary Injunctions after a hearing, which may remain in effect for months or even years.
Victims’ Rights (Marsy’s Law) – Arizona’s Victims’ Bill of Rights ensures survivors are notified of hearings, allowed to speak in court, and entitled to restitution for expenses related to the abuse.
Civil Lawsuits for Compensation – Survivors can file civil claims against the abuser and any institution that enabled the abuse. Compensation may cover medical care, therapy, lost wages, emotional distress, and in severe cases, punitive damages meant to punish and deter.
Extended Filing Time – In certain cases, Arizona allows extended time to file a civil claim due to trauma-related delays in reporting or disclosure. An attorney can help clarify which timeline applies.
These protections are designed to hold wrongdoers accountable, restore a sense of safety, and provide survivors with the financial resources needed to begin rebuilding their lives.
Proving Sexual Abuse Liability in Arizona Courts
To succeed in a civil claim, we must show:
- A duty of care was owed to the survivor
- That duty was breached
- The breach resulted in harm
Miller Kory Rowe attorneys are experienced in uncovering patterns of abuse, exposing systemic failures, and demonstrating how institutions enabled the harm. We prepare each case as if it will go to trial, even if settlement becomes the best resolution.
Understanding Compensation in Sexual Abuse Cases
Economic Damages
These cover measurable financial losses, including:
- Medical treatment and hospital visits
- Psychological counseling or therapy
- Prescription medication for trauma-related conditions
- Lost income or diminished earning capacity
- Relocation or housing costs for safety
- Security measures or protective services
Non-Economic Damages
These address the emotional and personal impact:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of dignity and personal autonomy
- Post-traumatic stress
- Reduced quality of life
Punitive Damages
When the abuse involves intentional misconduct, gross negligence, or institutional cover-up, Arizona courts may award punitive damages. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer and send a clear message that such conduct will not be tolerated.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Birth Injury
Q: How long do I have to file a claim?
Under Arizona law, adult survivors generally must file a civil sexual-abuse lawsuit within two years of the abuse under A.R.S. § 12-542, but a newer provision (A.R.S. § 12-514) gives survivors up to 12 years after the abuse or, for minors, until their 30th birthday to file.
Q: Can I remain anonymous during my case?
That depends on your state’s laws and the court’s discretion. In many jurisdictions, survivors can request to use a pseudonym (like “Jane Doe” or “John Doe”) and ask for filings to be sealed or redacted to protect their privacy, but each court weighs these requests on a case-by-case basis.
Q: Do I need physical evidence to file a claim?
No. While medical records can be helpful, survivor testimony, witness statements, institutional documents (e.g., personnel files, internal complaints), and expert reports can all form the evidentiary basis for your case.
Q: What if the abuse happened years ago?
Even if many years have passed, you may still have a valid claim under the extended deadlines of A.R.S. § 12-514 (up to 12 years post-abuse or until age 30 for minors), provided you file before those deadlines expired.
Real Client Testimonials
Our dedication to achieving successful outcomes for our clients is reflected in the authentic stories they share in our testimonials.
Many of these families came to us after discovering neglect in a nursing home or care facility.
“Teri Rowe and the team at MKR are highly recommended. My family and I went to Teri under the worst of circumstances and she was always kind, comforting, and helpful. Our case was complicated, sad, confusing and frustrating. She managed everything wonderfully. Our family lawyer referred us to Teri because Teri has a reputation for being the best. She definitely lives up to her reputation.”
— Michael Stenoien
“My sisters and I couldn’t have made a better choice by choosing Miller Kory Rowe to represent us. From day one to the end, their empathy, their professionalism and their confidence in our case never wavered. We were given the faith and they kept it. Their approach was completely professional but their concern for our case was equally personal. They took into account every little detail. They valued for us, our family values and ensured justice was done. We now have complete closure that this lawsuit is behind us, we can move forward knowing that we got some measure of justice for the harm done to our mother. Thank you so much Liz, Gabe and Stephanie.”
— Sherrie Dudek
“From our initial consultation to our final settlement. Miller, Kory and Rowe was with us every step of the way. Gabe and team kept us abreast of any updates on the case in a timely fashion and were always, often within minutes of an email, to walk us through what was happening in our case or clarify any questions we may have.
MKR’s compassion and thoughtfulness was genuine and was able to ease our minds in what was a difficult time with the passing of our mom. Gabe’s experience with these cases was very evident in our interactions and we had the utmost confidence in his representation. I would highly recommend MKR if you are ever in need of an attorney.”
— Joseph Shown
At Miller Kory Rowe, we are not afraid to take cases to trial. We are Arizona litigators with deep experience handling serious injury and wrongful death claims for families across the state.
Every case is prepared with the courtroom in mind. That level of preparation strengthens our strategy, builds trust with our clients, and puts pressure on the defense. We work with respected experts, craft compelling exhibits, and uncover the details that help juries understand the truth.
Whether your case involves medical negligence, elder abuse, or another form of life-changing harm, our focus stays the same: clear answers and meaningful results.
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