Sexual Abuse Whistleblower Lawyer

We Help Whistleblowers Report Sexual Abuse in Workplaces, Correctional Facilities, Religious Institutions, Nursing Homes and Other Locations

This is an active lawsuit and none of the allegations against the defendant(s) have been proven. The contents of this page reflect the allegations in the litigation.

Attorney Lynette S. Byrd
Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault Team Lead
Former DOJ Attorney

There are no excuses for sexual abuse under any circumstances. Sexual abuse is a serious criminal offense that impacts victims for the rest of their lives. Yet, far too often, sexual abuse goes unreported, including among private-sector and federal employees who may fear reprisal. In many cases, it takes courageous whistleblowers who are willing to come forward and expose what they know.

If you have questions about serving as a sexual abuse whistleblower, we invite you to get in touch. Our lawyers can explain everything you need to know about coming forward. We can help you make informed decisions about your next steps; and, if you decide to come forward, we can advise and represent you every step of the way. However, we will not pressure you to come forward—this decision is entirely up to you. We do not charge any out-of-pocket costs or fees for our whistleblower representation.

Understanding Federal Law for Sexual Abuse Whistleblowers

What does it mean to serve as a sexual abuse whistleblower? While the term “whistleblower” is commonly used in various contexts, it has a specific meaning under federal whistleblower law.

Ensuring that you qualify as a whistleblower is important for a couple of reasons. First, whistleblowers who come forward through the appropriate channels are generally entitled to confidentiality or anonymity, both of which are designed to protect whistleblowers. Second, individuals who qualify as whistleblowers under the Whistleblower Protection Act and other federal statutes are also generally entitled to protection against retaliation in their employment. If you don’t come forward through the appropriate channels (i.e., if you go to the media or post information about a sexual assault or sexual abuse online), you may not receive these protections.

In cases involving sexual assault, serving as a whistleblower generally involves exposing harmful and unlawful activity within an organization or institution. In many cases, it also involves exposing that the organization or institution knew (or at least should have known) about the abuse and failed to take appropriate action, often leading to civil or criminal action in federal court. For example, sexual abuse whistleblower cases frequently involve complaints against organizations and institutions such as:

Private-sector employers
Federal agencies
Police forces and departments
Correctional facilities
Religious institutions
Daycare centers and other child-focused businesses
Healthcare facilities and nursing homes

All of these entities can—and should—be held accountable for facilitating, ignoring and/or covering up sexual abuse on their premises. This includes (but is not limited to) common forms of sexual abuse such as:

Child sexual abuse
Elderly sexual abuse
Sexual assaults and abuse in the workplace
Quid pro quo sexual harassment in the workplace
Sexual assaults against inmates
Sexual assaults against patients and residents
Sexual exploitation of other vulnerable individuals

If you have information about any form of sexual abuse and think you may be interested in filing a whistleblower claim, we strongly encourage you to schedule a time to speak with one of our senior whistleblower lawyers as soon as possible. Again, this costs you nothing, and we are more than happy to provide you with all of the information you need to feel confident in your decision-making.

What to Expect When You Contact a Sexual Abuse Whistleblower Lawyer at Oberheiden Law Group

We understand that the prospect of coming forward can be daunting, and we know that most people who are thinking about blowing the whistle have lots of questions. We work hard to make the process as straightforward and transparent as possible; and, whether you are a victim or you are aware of others being victimized, we will do everything we can to make sure you feel as comfortable as possible. With this in mind, here is what you can expect when you contact a sexual abuse whistleblower lawyer at Oberheiden Law Group:

We Will Answer All of Your Questions

We encourage you to come to your free initial consultation with a list of the questions you want to ask. You should not hesitate to ask anything you want to know. You are facing an unfamiliar situation—a situation that is complex and that involves a variety of important legal considerations. Our lawyers will be more than happy to answer all of your questions.

We Will Listen to Your Story

Once you’ve asked what you want to ask, we will listen to your story. We will listen compassionately, as your whistleblower attorneys, with a focus on the potential whistleblower implications involved. During this part of the process, we may also ask you a variety of questions focused on gathering the specific details we need to assess your eligibility to file a whistleblower complaint.

We Will Explain Your Legal Rights and Options

If it appears that you may be eligible to come forward as a whistleblower, we will explain your legal rights and options. Again, you are not obligated to come forward—even if you are clearly eligible to do so. At this stage, our role is to make sure our whistleblower clients feel fully informed so that they can decide what they want to do, if anything, with the information they have in their possession.

We Will Help You Make an Informed Decision

As we said above, the decision to come forward is yours to make—and yours to make alone. With that said, if you’d like, we are also more than happy to provide advice and help you make an informed decision. Our lawyers can explain what you can expect at every stage of the sexual abuse whistleblower process, and our lawyers can provide additional insights into what it’s like to work with the government as a whistleblower.

We Will Protect Your Identity

At all times, we will protect your identity and the information you share with us regarding the sexual abuse that you are thinking about reporting. We will not disclose any information (including your identity) unless you expressly authorize us to do so. If you decide to come forward, we can help you decide whether to do so confidentially or anonymously; and, either way, we will work with the federal government to help protect your identity throughout the process.

FAQs: Blowing the Whistle on Sexual Assault or Abuse

How Do I Blow the Whistle on Sexual Abuse?

What you need to do to blow the whistle on sexual abuse depends on your specific circumstances. There are different procedures for reporting sexual abuse in the workplace, correctional facilities, healthcare facilities, nursing homes, and other locations, as determined by federal and state laws. This is one of several reasons why it is important to speak with an experienced whistleblower lawyer early in the process if you are thinking about coming forward.

Can I Serve as a Sexual Abuse Whistleblower Anonymously?

It is possible to anonymously serve as a sexual abuse whistleblower in some (but not all) cases. Keep in mind, however, that even if you cannot come forward anonymously, the government will still protect your identity, and your employer will still be prohibited from retaliating against you (as long as you meet the applicable requirements). Here too, our lawyers can explain everything you need to know so that you can feel confident deciding what you want to do with the information you have in your possession.

Can I Be Fired for Reporting Sexual Abuse?

Provided that you take the steps necessary to formally qualify as a whistleblower, your employer cannot legally fire you for reporting sexual abuse. This is referred to as retaliation, and it can lead to significant whistleblower retaliation claims under the Whistleblower Protection Act and other federal whistleblower statutes.

However, if you do not take the steps necessary to formally qualify as a whistleblower, then you may not be entitled to the protections that are available. To ensure that you receive the protections that are available, we strongly recommend working with an experienced whistleblower lawyer who can guide you step-by-step through the process.

Can (and Should) I Hire a Lawyer to Help Me Blow the Whistle on Sexual Abuse?

Yes, if you have information about sexual abuse—whether committed against you or someone else, you can (and should) hire a lawyer to help you blow the whistle. This should not cost you anything out of pocket, and your law firm should strictly protect your identity. At Oberheiden Law Group, we provide full-service legal representation for sexual abuse whistleblowers, and we are available to assist you with deciding whether you want to come forward.

Are Sexual Abuse Whistleblowers Eligible for Financial Rewards Under the False Claims Act?

Generally, eligibility for a whistleblower reward is contingent on helping the government recover taxpayer funds, such as through a qui tam action under the federal False Claims Act. As a result, financial rewards generally are not available in sexual abuse whistleblower cases unless they involve government fraud. With that said, if you have information about sexual abuse at a correctional facility, healthcare facility, or another federally funded institution, you may be able to seek a reward under the False Claims Act. Our lawyers can explain more.

Schedule a Free and Confidential Consultation with a Senior Sexual Abuse Whistleblower Lawyer Today

If you would like more information about serving as a sexual abuse whistleblower, we invite you to schedule a free and confidential consultation at Oberheiden Law Group. To speak with one of our senior lawyers at a time that is convenient for you, call us at 888-680-1745 or request an appointment online today.

Further Information About Our Lawyers for Victims of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault Lawsuit Services

Disclaimer:
The content on this site is informational only and describes mere allegations. The content does not suggest evidence, proof, or guaranteed liability. The merits of each case depend on specific facts. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases. For more details, please see our FTC and general disclaimers. Oberheiden Law is the law firm in charge.