Sexual assault, a crime both horrific in its frequency and devastating in its consequences, continues to plague the United States. And the numbers are staggering. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in five women will experience completed or attempted rape in their lifetime. The U.S. Department of Justice further reports that over 430,000 individuals become victims of rape or sexual assault each year. What is particularly disturbing is that many of these attacks occur in locations where people expect to feel safe, such as apartment complexes, hotels, shopping centers and parking lots.

For survivors, the trauma of sexual assault extends far beyond the physical and emotional pain; it is often compounded by crippling financial burdens, including medical expenses, counseling costs and lost wages. While criminal prosecutions may hold perpetrators accountable, civil law offers another path toward justice—one in which property owners may be held liable for creating or contributing to the conditions that enabled the assault. Understanding the legal framework for establishing such liability is essential not only for attorneys representing victims but also for property owners tasked with the legal obligation to protect their patrons.