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Decades of legal experience. A passion for justice. Get to know the attorneys who stand by your side.
Our Approach to Justice
Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world, with a majority of cases falling under sexual exploitation. Over 100,000 children a year are forced into prostitution, contributing to a $9.8 billion industry in the US alone.
District attorneys and law enforcement across the country are working to bring traffickers to justice – but that’s just one side of this very complex story. There are also countless businesses, such as online advertisers, social media platforms, motels and hotels, and transportation companies, that are profiting from the sexual exploitation of trafficking victims.
That's where civil lawsuits come into play.
With a team of attorneys, therapists, private investigators, and other experts, we are on a mission to help sex trafficking victims get compensation from the companies who financially benefited from their victimization.
Our Mission Goals
- Get compensation for sex trafficking survivors, so they have the resources they need to get themselves to safety and reclaim their lives.
- Use civil lawsuits to pressure companies to change their behaviors and policies – putting an end to the safe havens they’ve created for traffickers.
Our Comprehensive Team
Leading our comprehensive approach to helping victims of sex trafficking, Pat McDonough has gathered a local and nationwide team of experts to handle these very sensitive cases from inception to final judgment. Our team works together to support survivors at every step of their journey.
Meet Our Dedicated Team
What You Should Know About Civil Lawsuits
There are laws that say you can hold businesses accountable if they’ve put their profits above your safety – such as looking the other way when there are signs of sex trafficking. This process takes place in civil court, as opposed to criminal court, and you have up to 10 years to file your lawsuit.
For example: if a hotel operator knows that young women are staying in a room and men are continually seen entering and exiting that room – the hotel is legally responsible for reporting the suspicious behavior.
It’s not like a TV crime drama.
With a civil lawsuit, you remain in control. Of course, we think about those dramatic court scenes from crime shows on TV – but it’s highly unlikely that it would be that way. In a civil case, you can decide to stop the lawsuit if you become uncomfortable.
There are many safeguards for survivors now.
The law is much more understanding of trauma survivors today than in the past. There are many ways to protect your privacy and health to avoid re-traumatization. Trafficking lawsuits are frequently filed using fictitious names such as “Jane Doe” to protect the identity of survivors. Other accommodations are often made as well, such as conducting video depositions in a safe space so a survivor may not be required to be present in court. You can also take advantage of the 10 year “statute of limitations” to get the counseling you need before filing a lawsuit. You are empowered.
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