At Constant Legal Group, our team of sex trafficking lawyers fight for survivors across Pennsylvania. Sex trafficking can occur anywhere, from big cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to the most remote rural areas. No matter where you are, you deserve justice, and civil lawsuits offer a path forward. It’s not just about convicting the trafficker; it’s about holding institutions and individuals accountable who enabled the exploitation.
Your Rights as a Sex Trafficking Survivor in Pennsylvania
Victims of sex trafficking face lifelong physical, psychological, and economic challenges. While criminal law can punish traffickers, civil lawsuits provide survivors with true justice and helpful resources in the form of financial recovery. It punishes those who benefited from or allowed the trafficking while giving the victim something that can make their life easier.
Under Pennsylvania law, survivors may sue not only the trafficker, but also:
- Hotels, motels, or property owners that ignored signs of trafficking
- Employers or businesses that enabled or profited from trafficking
- Online platforms facilitating exploitation
- Any individual or institution whose negligence contributed to the abuse
- Traffickers or recruiters themselves
These cases are grounded in Pennsylvania statutes and reinforced by federal law under the TVPRA (Trafficking Victims Prevention Reauthorization Act).
What Damages Can Survivors Recover?
Survivors may be eligible for comprehensive damages under civil law, including:
- Economic Damages: Medical treatment, therapy, relocation, lost wages, support services
- Non-Economic Damages: Emotional distress, PTSD, pain and suffering
- Punitive Damages: In cases involving extreme negligence or malicious conduct
Additional claims such as assault, battery, false imprisonment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress are also available.
The Statutes of Limitations for Sex Trafficking in Pennsylvania
If you were sexually abused in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, you may have until you turn 55 years old to file a lawsuit against an abuser or the responsible institution(s)
In June 2025, the Pennsylvania House passed two bills—one providing an immediate two-year revival window for childhood sexual abuse survivors, and the other proposing a constitutional amendment to let voters weigh in on potentially extending or eliminating the limitations altogether. These developments could expand access to justice for previously time-barred cases.
Who Is at Risk for Sex Trafficking in Pennsylvania?
Sex trafficking in Pennsylvania can take many forms:
- Pimp-Controlled Trafficking (manipulation via romantic or caregiving fronts)
- Familial Trafficking (exploitation by a parent or guardian)
- Gang-Related Trafficking (sexual exploitation tied to gang revenue)
- Venue-Based Trafficking (hotels, motels, or parties facilitating abuse)
- Online Grooming and Exploitation (via social platforms or classified ads)
Traffickers exploit these vulnerabilities, often those without physical restraint, using emotional or psychological manipulation. Those at higher risk include:
- Youth in foster care, runaway teens, and homeless individuals
- Immigrants and those with economic vulnerability
- LGBTQ+ youth, survivors of prior abuse, and people with disabilities
Contact a Sex Trafficking Lawyer for a Free, Confidential Consultation
If you or someone you know is a survivor of sex trafficking in Pennsylvania, time may be limited. Don’t delay, contact Constant Legal Group today to speak with an experienced Pennsylvania Sex Trafficking Lawyer who can help you explore your path to justice.