Eder Sturm Eder Logo

Sexual Assault and Institutional Abuse Attorneys

Sexual assault causes deep and lasting harm. The law firm of Eder Sturm Eder is here to help.

Oregon's Experts in Sexual Assault / Institutional Abuse

Doctors, teachers, and clergypeople share a legal duty to keep people safe. When schools, hospitals, and churches fail to address allegations of sexual abuse, they share responsibility for the resulting harm.

Sexual assault survivors have the right to seek justice and compensation for medical care, therapy, lost income, and long-term emotional harm. Our work is trauma-informed and survivor-centered, with a focus on cases involving doctors, medical facilities, schools, churches, youth organizations, and other institutions that failed to protect those in their care.

Need immediate legal help? Call (503) 227-4601 for confidential support.

Meet Eder Sturm Eder: Sexual Assault and Institutional Abuse Attorneys

When an institution fails to prevent abuse, the resulting betrayal can be just as damaging as the assault itself. Survivors are often harmed not only by what happened, but by the knowledge that a school, doctor, church, employer, or youth organization failed to protect them.

For years, survivors of sexual abuse have trusted Eder Strurm Eder with their sexual abuse claims. We are proud to offer:

  • Trauma-informed legal advocacy. Every case is guided by the survivor’s needs, priorities, and lived experience, with care taken to recognize the lasting impact of trauma. We offer confidential consultations for victims of sexual assault; clients can explore their options in a safe, private setting.
  • Support-focused coordination. Our experienced sexual assault attorneys collaborate with therapists, counselors, and survivor advocates to reduce unnecessary stress and limit re-traumatization during litigation.
  • Trial-ready preparation. Cases are always prepared as if they will go to trial, allowing us to seek full accountability from individual perpetrators and the institutions that enabled or ignored instances of sexual abuse and assault.

Contact Eder Sturm Ederm Sexual Assault and Institutional Abuse Attorneys

Case Highlight: Sexual Abuse Allegations against West Linn Physician David Farley, MD

Dr. David Farley, a former West Linn physician, had his license revoked in 2020 after the Oregon Medical Board found sexual misconduct with multiple patients. Civil lawsuits allege abuse of between 100 and 150 women and children under his medical care.

Dr. Farley was indicted in 2025 and now faces multiple felony counts of sexual abuse and unlawful sexual penetration. While criminal cases are handled by the state, civil claims, successfully pursued by Eder Sturm Eder, focus on survivor compensation, justice, and institutional accountability.

If you or a loved one was harmed by Dr. Farley or another medical provider, contact Eder Sturm Eder (ESE) today. Our experienced medical sexual assault attorneys have already successfully won multiple civil cases against Dr. Farley and continue to hold abusive doctors and negligent clinics accountable. We can guide you confidentially through preserving evidence, filing claims, and seeking compensation for therapy, medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Sexual Assault / Institutional Abuse FAQs

Common questions about sexual assault / institutional abuse cases in Oregon

Sexual assault generally refers to any unwanted sexual contact or behavior carried out without consent, including acts involving force, coercion, intoxication, or situations where a person is unable to consent. Sexual abuse is a broader term that often involves repeated or ongoing sexual harm, particularly against children or vulnerable adults. It often occurs in relationships marked by power imbalance or authority. Survivors are never at fault, and the law recognizes that consent must be freely given and can be withdrawn at any time.
Institutional sexual abuse occurs when sexual harm is enabled, ignored, or concealed by organizations such as schools, medical systems, churches, youth groups, or employers. In these cases, abuse often continues because institutions fail to properly screen employees, respond to complaints, or protect those in their care. Our institutional sexual abuse attorneys look beyond the individual perpetrator to identify systemic failures, patterns of negligence, and cover-ups that allowed abuse to happen or continue.
Survivors often have questions about whether to pursue a criminal case, a civil case, or both. Criminal cases are brought by the state and focus on punishment, such as incarceration or probation. A civil lawsuit for sexual abuse, however, is brought by the survivor and focuses on accountability and financial compensation. Civil cases have a lower burden of proof and can proceed even when criminal charges were never filed or did not result in a conviction. Speaking with an Oregon sexual assault lawyer can help survivors understand their legal options and decide which path best aligns with their goals.
In civil sexual abuse cases, liability often extends beyond the person who committed the abuse. Hospitals, school districts, churches, employers, supervisors, and other institutions may be held legally responsible when their negligence, policies, or failure to act allowed abuse to occur. These cases examine what the institution knew (or should have known) and whether reasonable steps were taken to prevent harm and protect vulnerable individuals.
Survivors who pursue a civil claim may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of damages, including medical treatment, therapy and counseling, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Civil lawsuits are not just about money; they are about restoring dignity, validating harm, and creating accountability so abuse is less likely to happen to others. Survivors deserve to know they have options, support, and legal pathways toward justice and healing.

WHO WE ARE

We are dedicated, consistent, driven personal injury attorneys.

We are trial attorneys first and foremost and we are eager to tell your story. We work tirelessly to help you reach the best possible legal outcome.

EDER STURM EDER

Dedicated.
Consistent.
Driven.

BY THE NUMBERS

0+

Jury Trials

0+

Years Serving Oregon

0+

Clients Helped

Loading practice areas...

WHAT WE DO

We use our experience and expertise to help injured clients maximize their financial recovery.

We accomplish this through our knowledge of the legal system, insurance defense strategies, vehicle code, and understanding of medical treatments, procedures, and diagnoses. We combine this knowledge with years of courtroom experience.

OUR APPROACH

Unlike many firms, we build every case like it's going to trial.

We know the extra effort will make the case stronger in terms of settlement or trial. Let us narrate your story, set your case up for success, and be your ferocious advocate throughout your case.

BECOME A CLIENT

Proudly Serving Oregon and Washington

Schedule a free consultation.

It's quick, confidential, and there's no obligation.
Need to speak with someone right away? Call (503) 227-4601

By submitting this form, you consent to receive communications from Eder Sturm Eder regarding your inquiry. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out at any time. Disclaimer: The use of this form or submission of information does not create an attorney-client relationship. Do not include confidential or sensitive information in your message. Your information is protected by our Privacy Policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.