Los Angeles sexual abuse lawyers at DLG, led by former sex crimes prosecutor and Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Sam Dordulian, continue to hold churches, youth ministries, and school districts accountable for the abuse of children and teens. Survivors and families can reach the firm 24/7 for a free, confidential consultation at (866) GO-SEE-SAM.

Los Angeles, California

Dordulian Law Group (DLG), a California sexual abuse law firm headquartered in Glendale and serving survivors throughout Los Angeles County and the state, today announced two recent settlements recovered on behalf of survivors of institutional sexual abuse:

• A $1 million settlement in a case arising from abuse at a church youth ministry program, and
• A $1.2 million settlement in a case arising from abuse at a public school.

Both recoveries were obtained by DLG’s Sexual Assault Justice Experts (SAJE) Team, the firm’s in-house, survivor-focused unit led by founder and president Sam Dordulian, a former sex crimes prosecutor and Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney. The settlements reflect a legal reality many survivors often overlook: the institution that enabled the abuse, not just the individual abuser, can be held financially accountable in a civil case.

Survivors and family members who want to understand their legal options can speak with a Los Angeles sexual abuse lawyer at DLG at no cost and with no obligation by calling (866) GO-SEE-SAM or by requesting a free consultation online.

$1 Million Church and Youth Ministry Sexual Abuse Settlement

The first matter involved a minor who was sexually abused approximately six years ago by an adult affiliated with a church youth ministry program.

DLG pursued the claim on the theory that the religious organization itself bore responsibility, including for negligent hiring, negligent supervision, negligent retention, and the failure to implement and enforce basic child-protection safeguards such as two-adult rules, screening, and mandated reporter training. The matter resolved for $1 million.

Abuse inside faith communities is uniquely difficult to report. Survivors are often told to forgive, to stay quiet, or to keep the matter inside the congregation. DLG’s clergy and church sexual abuse attorneys handle these cases with discretion and with a clear focus on institutional accountability.

$1.2 Million Public School Sexual Abuse Settlement

The second matter involved a student sexually abused over 20 years ago by an employee of a public school.

DLG built the case around what the district knew and when it knew it, including prior complaints, warning signs that went unreported, and failures by mandated reporters to escalate concerns. The case settled for $1.2 million.

Claims against public school districts carry procedural requirements and deadlines that do not apply to private defendants, and those requirements can bar an otherwise strong case if they are missed. DLG’s school sexual abuse lawyers evaluate these issues at no cost during an initial consultation.

Statement From Attorney Sam Dordulian Following $1 Million and $1.2 Million Sexual Abuse Settlements

“Parents send their children to schools and church groups believing that the adults in charge can be trusted with the sacred responsibility of oversight. When that trust is betrayed, unimaginable trauma is inflicted upon innocent children – trauma that will last a lifetime. Those institutions must be held accountable,” said attorney Sam Dordulian, founder and president of Dordulian Law Group. “I spent years as a sex crimes prosecutor putting predators behind bars. It is equally gratifying when organizations that turned a blind eye to sexual abuse pay for what they allowed to happen. No survivor should ever believe it is too late to get the justice they deserve, or that nobody will listen.”

What These Settlements Mean for Other Survivors

Both cases share a pattern DLG sees repeatedly across California: an organization that had the authority and the opportunity to stop the abuse and failed to act. In a civil case, survivors may be able to recover compensation from the institution for harms including:

• Past and future therapy, counseling, and mental health treatment
• Medical expenses connected to the abuse
• Lost income and diminished earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress

In qualifying cases, punitive damages and, under California law, additional treble damages where a cover-up is proven

A sexual abuse civil case is separate from any criminal prosecution. A survivor does not need a criminal conviction, and does not need the perpetrator to be charged, in order to bring a civil claim. The burden of proof in a civil case is also lower than in a criminal case. See DLG’s recent case results for additional examples.

California Filing Deadlines: Why Survivors Should Not Wait

California gives survivors more time than most states, but the deadlines depend on the survivor’s age at the time of the abuse, when the harm was discovered, and what type of institution is involved. In general:

• Childhood sexual abuse (Code of Civil Procedure section 340.1): for incidents occurring before January 1, 2024, claims must generally be brought before the survivor’s 40th birthday, or within five years of discovering that a psychological injury was caused by the abuse, whichever is later.
• California AB 452 (Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act follow-on legislation): for childhood sexual abuse occurring on or after January 1, 2024, there is no time limit. AB 452 is not retroactive and does not apply to adult survivors.
• Adult survivors: separate rules apply under California AB 250 (Sexual Assault Statute of Limitations Extension Act) and AB 2777, the Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act. Some windows created by these laws are time limited.
• Claims against public entities, including public school districts, may involve additional notice requirements and significantly shorter deadlines depending on the claim.

Because a missed deadline can end a case before it starts, DLG encourages survivors and families to have their timeline reviewed as early as possible. Consultations are free and confidential. Call (866) GO-SEE-SAM at any hour.

Why Survivors Choose Dordulian Law Group

DLG is a unique California law firm that built an entire in-house infrastructure around sexual abuse survivors. The DLG legal team and SAJE Team include:

• Sam Dordulian, former Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney and sex crimes prosecutor, with more than 100 jury trial victories and a 98% winning record
• Chief Investigator Moses Castillo, a retired LAPD sex crimes unit leader with 30 years of experience
• Two certified, nationally accredited full-time victim advocates
• An in-house licensed clinical therapist with 18 years of experience

The firm has recovered more than $150 million for clients and has more than 25 years of experience serving Los Angeles and surrounding communities. DLG handles all sexual abuse cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning survivors pay nothing unless the firm recovers compensation. Client experiences are available on the firm’s testimonials page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue a church or school for sexual abuse in California?

Yes. California law allows survivors to bring civil claims against institutions, including churches, youth ministries, private schools, and public school districts, when the organization’s negligence enabled the abuse. Common theories include negligent hiring, negligent supervision, negligent retention, and failure to report.

Do I need the abuser to be criminally convicted first?

No. A sexual assault civil case is independent of any criminal case. Survivors can file a civil claim even if charges were never brought, if the criminal case was dismissed, or if the perpetrator has died.

Will my name become public?

Survivors can often proceed anonymously, and settlements are frequently confidential. DLG discusses privacy protections with every client before any filing is made.

How much does it cost to hire a sexual abuse lawyer?

Nothing upfront. DLG works on contingency, so survivors pay no fee unless the firm recovers compensation.

How long do I have to file a sexual abuse lawsuit in California?

It depends on your age at the time of the abuse and the type of institution involved. Childhood sexual assault claims are generally subject to an age-40 or five-year discovery deadline, while abuse occurring on or after January 1, 2024 has no time limit. Adult survivors are governed by separate statutes. A free consultation is the fastest way to confirm your deadline.

What areas does Dordulian Law Group serve?

DLG serves survivors throughout California, with offices in Glendale.

Free, Confidential Consultations Available 24/7

Survivors of sexual abuse or sexual assault, and the families of survivors, can speak with a DLG attorney at no cost. Call (866) GO-SEE-SAM, visit dlawgroup.com, or request a free case review. Se habla español.

About Dordulian Law Group

Dordulian Law Group is a California law firm representing survivors of sexual abuse, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, and child abuse, as well as victims of personal injury and employment violations. Founded by former Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney and sex crimes prosecutor Sam Dordulian, the firm has recovered more than $150 million for clients and operates its in-house SAJE Team of compassionate attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and a licensed therapist. DLG is headquartered at 550 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 1990, Glendale, CA 91203, and serves all of California. Learn more at dlawgroup.com.

Disclaimer: This release is attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is different and results depend on the specific and unique facts. Settlement figures represent gross recovery before attorney fees, costs, and liens. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this release. All survivor-identifying details have been omitted to protect client privacy.

Media Contact Details
Jason Kitchen
Dordulian Law Group Sexual Abuse Lawyers
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Phone: 8187884919
Website: dlawgroup.com

A child born on the morning of September 11, 2001 turns twenty-five today. Twenty-five years on, much of American public life still cannot describe the ideology that killed her countrymen.

Washington, DC

The International Freedom Coalition exists because the people living under that ideology got tired of waiting while America forgot what really happened. The Coalition brings together communities for whom jihadism is a present condition, lived with daily: Afghans resisting the Taliban, Assyrian Christians of Iraq, Iranians, Alawites, Druze and Kurds in Syria, Lebanese, Israelis, Nigerians and Biafrans, South Sudanese, and American religious and civic leaders who have refused to let the subject close. The Afghanistan United Front became the Coalition’s first formal partner in August 2026.

“There were two forgettings,” said Dr. Charles Jacobs, President of the International Freedom Coalition. “One was ordinary, the fading time works on every memory. The other was deliberate: a reinterpretation that detached the attack from the movement that produced it and reattached it to the sins of its victims. A generation has now been educated into that second account, and it has left them without the words for what our members live with.”

The Coalition draws no partisan line here. Most American liberals mourned that day and mourn it still, and some of the bravest critics of jihadist ideology are liberals, including Muslim liberals who fight it at personal risk and with little institutional protection. The failure the Coalition describes is institutional, and it crosses party lines.

“We gather as a coalition because of what happened on that day, and because of what has happened since in Kabul, Nineveh, Maiduguri, Damascus, Beirut, and southern Israel,” said Dr. Walid Phares, Vice President of the International Freedom Coalition. “Our members are separated by language, faith, and continent. They arrived at the same conclusion from different directions, having met the same ideology in different uniforms.”

The Coalition’s work is documentation and advocacy: regional desks, country dossiers, and case filing before the United Nations, the United States Congress, and European institutions. The purpose is a public record that outlasts a news cycle, and a vocabulary honest enough to describe what is in it.

Twenty-five years is long enough for a child to become an adult. She is owed an adult account of why that morning happened.

About the International Freedom Coalition

The International Freedom Coalition documents and advocates for communities affected by jihadist violence worldwide. Working through a regional desk model, the Coalition produces country dossiers, builds coalitions among affected communities, and files cases with the United Nations, the United States Congress, and European institutions. The IFC was co-founded by Dr. Charles Jacobs and Dr. Walid Phares, launched in Congress in July 2026, and counts Ayaan Hirsi Ali among its endorsers. The IFC is a project of Americans for Peace and Tolerance, a 501(c)(3) organization based in Watertown, Massachusetts.

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International Freedom Coalition
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Website: internationalfreedomcoalition.org

Hong Kong

Sumex, the Hong Kong – based non-custodial crypto SuperApp that brings CeFi and DeFi portfolio tracking and management, has announced a new partnership and integration with Quickex as part of its ongoing expansion of swap infrastructure and liquidity routes. The integration introduces Quickex’s fast, non-custodial swap engine and aggregated liquidity into the Sumex ecosystem, enabling users to access competitive rates across a broad range of assets without needing to juggle multiple exchange interfaces.

To celebrate the launch, Sumex and Quickex are rolling out a new Swap Campaign, featuring a different reward model centered on daily competition and consistent user participation.

Expanding Access to Deep Aggregated Liquidity

Quickex is a non-custodial crypto exchange service that connects users to multiple liquidity sources, delivering competitive exchange rates across a wide range of assets and networks. Its cross-chain infrastructure supports swaps on more than 50 networks, while its routing system aggregates liquidity from multiple providers to enhance pricing and execution conditions. Quickex also enables users to swap directly from their wallets without relinquishing custody of their assets.

For traders, the addition of another established liquidity source gives Sumex more routes to evaluate when processing a swap. Instead of relying on a single provider, Sumex can continue comparing available routes and execution conditions across its expanding network of swap partners.

The result is a deeper infrastructure layer operating behind the scenes, while users continue to interact with the same unified Sumex Swap experience.

Strengthening the Sumex Swap Aggregator

One of Sumex’s use cases is to aggregate liquidity and routing providers so users don’t have to manually compare different protocols and exchange interfaces for every transaction. The addition of Quickex expands that network with another non-custodial source of liquidity and swap execution. Quickex also supports a wide range of cryptocurrency pairs and offers both fixed and floating exchange rates, giving users more options depending on the route and prevailing market conditions.

As with Sumex’s broader swap infrastructure, users stay in full control of their assets throughout the process. The integration introduces another route behind the scenes without requiring an additional account, dashboard, or platform to manage. This is central to Sumex’s approach to aggregation: bring more liquidity, more routes, and more execution options into one place while keeping the user experience simple.

One Day. One Epoch. New Rewards Every Day.

To celebrate the integration, Sumex and Quickex have launched a new Swap Campaign with a reward structure built around daily competition.

Instead of running one long competition, the campaign divides activity into daily epochs. Each day represents a fresh opportunity to compete, with up to $152 in rewards available per epoch and rewards distributed daily. This gives users a new chance to participate every 24 hours rather than requiring them to compete against activity accumulated throughout an entire campaign period.

Eligible swaps routed through Quickex on Sumex count toward the campaign, turning regular swap activity into an opportunity to earn additional rewards while exploring the newly integrated liquidity routes.

The campaign is now live through the Sumex Rewards Hub.

More Routes, More Competition, One Swap Experience

The Quickex integration adds another piece to Sumex’s growing swap infrastructure as the platform continues bringing together liquidity, routing providers, and DeFi services under one interface. For users, the objective remains straightforward: access more assets and more competitive routes without having to move between different platforms to find them.

The Quickex campaign adds another reason to explore those newly available routes, with a fresh competitive opportunity resetting every day.

The Sumex x Quickex Swap Campaign is now live on Sumex.

About Sumex

Sumex is a next-generation, non-custodial crypto SuperApp that unifies portfolio management, trading, investing, and rewards across CeFi and DeFi.

Built around its proprietary Connection Manager, Sumex allows users to safely connect centralized and decentralized exchange accounts, Web3 wallets, and social identities into a single, unified crypto experience.

Through one interface, users can track and manage their entire crypto portfolio, whether trading spot or futures on CEXs or DEXs, executing cross-chain and private swaps, discovering investment opportunities, or participating in activity-based rewards tied to meaningful ecosystem engagement.

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Tony Laptev
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