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Why Take Action?

When you decide to take a stand, it matters—not only for you, but for others. Taking action doesn’t have to look one way. It can be legal, it can be personal, or it can be both. Below are reasons many survivors find meaning, power, and hope in coming forward.

For Healing & Acknowledgment

Sexual violence is often accompanied by silence, shame, and feeling unseen. Speaking up, seeking justice, or simply sharing your story can shift that burden. It asserts that:

  • Your truth matters. Being believed and heard is one of the most validating things you can experience after abuse.
  • Your experience is not forgotten. Taking action honors what happened to you—recognizing the harm rather than letting it be dismissed or ignored.

Even if legal action isn’t what you want right now, exploring your rights and telling someone you trust about your experience can begin a process of healing.

To Hold Perpetrators & Institutions Accountable

Abuse doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Often, individuals or organizations trusted to protect you failed to act—or worse, helped conceal harm. When you take action:

  • You shine light on wrongdoing.
  • You show the powerful that silence or negligence is not acceptable.
  • You can help stop future abuse by pushing for investigations, change in leadership or policy, accountability mechanisms, or transparency.

To Seek Justice & Compensation

Abuse has real consequences—physical, psychological, financial. Taking legal action can help in many ways:

  • Covering therapy, medical or mental health care, and other recovery costs.
  • Recovering for loss of income or opportunities caused by abuse.
  • Possibly receiving damages for emotional distress, fear, or trauma.

While money doesn’t erase what happened, it can help you rebuild your life and remove some burdens.

To Prevent Harm to Others

Every time someone speaks out, it sends a message—to perpetrators, institutions, and to other survivors. It reminds people that they are not alone, that accountability is possible, and that silence can be broken.

In many cases, legal cases have revealed systemic failures—policies that allowed abuse, cover-ups, or ignored warning signs. Your action might protect others in similar situations, today or in the future.

Because There’s No Shame in Seeking Justice

You aren’t to blame for what happened. Choosing to act isn’t about re-living the pain—it’s about reclaiming power. It’s about setting boundaries, demanding respect, and refusing to accept cover-ups or lies. Every survivor has a right to be heard, to be safe, and to seek justice.

Kayla's Survivors - A Different Kind of Law Firm

At Kayla’s Survivors, we stand with survivors—those who have endured sexual abuse, assault, misconduct, or institutional neglect. As a survivor-led, woman-led law firm, we have first-hand experience that grounds our firm and puts survivors’ healing at the center of our work. From guaranteeing confidentiality and an empathetic approach, to our specialized expertise and fierce advocacy, we promise to put your needs first. As nationally-recognized sexual abuse attorneys, our purpose is to help you reclaim your voice, pursue justice, and hold both perpetrators and institutions accountable for the harm caused by sexual violence.

Our founder, Kayla Onder, is herself a survivor of sexual violence. Her personal journey from silence to strength guides the heart of this firm. Because she has walked this path, she understands both the pain and the courage it takes to come forward. What began as her personal commitment to stand with survivors has grown into a national practice dedicated to compassion, justice, and institutional change.

What Makes Us Different
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • We are here first and foremost to help survivors on their path to recovery. We don’t conceal the fact that taking action sometimes involves challenges—legal, emotional, or otherwise. You might revisit painful memories or face resistance. Cases can take time, and institutions may defend themselves strongly. But knowing what to expect can help you prepare. Having a legal team that believes you, supports you, and fights for you can make all the difference. At Kayla’s Survivors, you won’t walk this alone. Everything is confidential, and we work at your pace, in the way that feels best for you.

  • You will never be left to face this process by yourself. From the moment you reach out, we listen with care and respect. We explain each step in plain language, check in regularly, and keep you informed about what’s happening. If you want additional resources—like counseling, advocacy services, or community support—we help you connect with them. Our promise is to meet you where you are, to move forward only when you are ready, and to provide steady, compassionate advocacy at every stage.

  • Not necessarily. Laws called “statutes of limitations” set time limits for filing cases, but in many states those deadlines have been extended or temporarily lifted for survivors of sexual violence. Even if the abuse was long ago, you may still have options. The important thing is to explore them now, because waiting could close doors to legal recourse.

  • Not always. Many cases resolve through settlements or mediation without the need for a trial. If your case does move forward to court, we’ll prepare you thoroughly and stand beside you every step of the way. You will never be pressured to testify against your wishes.

  • Yes. Protecting your privacy is a top priority. In many cases, survivors can remain anonymous in court documents or filings. We will walk you through exactly what your options are and make sure you remain in control of how public or private your story becomes.

  • Every case is different. Some resolve in a matter of months, while others take longer—especially if institutions fight accountability. From the beginning, we’ll give you an honest estimate of the timeline and keep you updated as your case progresses.

  • You don’t need to have all the answers today. A good first step is simply reaching out to a caring legal professional who will listen. From there, you can learn about your rights, explore your legal and non-legal options, and decide what feels best for you in terms of privacy, time commitment, and emotional energy.

  • Yes. Beyond helping you seek justice and compensation, taking action can shine a light on wrongdoing, expose systemic failures, and protect others from similar harm. Survivors often tell us that the act of coming forward, on their own terms, becomes a powerful part of their healing.

You deserve a life beyond abuse—one where your voice has power, your story matters, and justice becomes more than a word.

When you're ready, we're here to support you not just in seeking legal remedies, but in reclaiming your power, healing, and helping change the world for the better.

OnderLaw
We fight for justice when you can't fight alone.

Finding an experienced legal team that earns your trust is essential. Our attorneys are not only experienced litigators—they are advocates trained to support survivors with empathy and integrity. We understand the sensitive nature of sexual abuse cases and offer trauma-informed representation every step of the way. With decades of experience and a team of expert sexual abuse attorneys, we have the resources and resolve to take on powerful institutions and win. Whether you’re ready to file a lawsuit or are just exploring your options, we are here to listen and help.

What Makes Us Different

Compassionate. Confidential. Expertise.

Coming forward takes courage. Our team honors that courage by offering a safe, supportive, and confidential space to explore your legal options. We never pressure sexual abuse survivors to file a claim. Our attorneys are trauma-informed, responsive, and ready to stand beside you. Whether you're considering legal action or simply want someone to talk to, we are here. You don’t have to take the next step alone. Learn what makes us different.

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Who Can File an Abuse Lawsuit?

Survivors of sexual abuse have the right to pursue justice through a civil lawsuit, even if the abuse occurred many years ago or during childhood. In institutional abuse cases, accountability goes beyond the individual perpetrator. It also extends to the organization that allowed the abuse to happen—whether through negligence, lack of oversight, or deliberate cover-up. Click here to learn more.

How Can We Help You?

Finding the right attorney is easier than you think! Just click the link below, answer a few simple questions about your situation, and we’ll match you to an experienced attorney who can help. There’s no obligation, and you won’t pay a penny unless we win your case.

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