Celebrity Sexual Assault

Survivors of celebrity sexual assault deserve support. Our team may be able to help if you were abused by someone with notoriety, influence, or wealth.

Filing a sexual assault lawsuit against a well-known person takes courage. Even if that person is a celebrity, you may be able to pursue justice in civil court.

Talk with our team today about your legal options after celebrity sexual abuse.

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What Is Celebrity Sexual Assault?

Celebrity sexual assault is any unwanted sexual behavior committed by a public or well-known individual with power, money, or status. Survivors often find it’s harder to name these abusers because the person’s fame or notoriety creates a power imbalance.

Women who survive celebrity sexual abuse may ask themselves:

  • Will anyone believe me over a famous person they admire?
  • Will people say I’m doing it for money or attention?
  • Will this hurt my career?

Those concerns can make reporting sexual misconduct intimidating, particularly when the accused person has money, influence, and legal teams interested in protecting their reputation. However, you aren’t alone if a celebrity has sexually abused you.

Our experienced partner sexual assault lawyers can stand up to celebrities and the attorneys who represent them, leveling the playing field for you.

Get your free case review now to get support after celebrity sexual assault.

Different Kinds of Celebrity Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Not every celebrity sexual assault case looks the same. The type of lawsuit often depends on who the celebrity is, the industry they work in, and how much power they hold over the people around them.

Celebrity sexual assault cases can involve:

  • Athletes, coaches, and sports executives
  • Corporate CEOs and business leaders
  • Media personalities and broadcasters
  • Movie and television actors, directors, and producers
  • Music industry moguls, executives, and performers
  • Politicians at the state or federal level

However the case unfolds, survivors often wait years or even decades before any celebrities are charged with sexual assault as a result of their allegations. They may worry that too much time has passed, or feel like civil lawsuits aren’t possible without a criminal conviction.

Our team can explain how civil cases don’t have to wait until after a criminal trial, and whether you may still be able to take action within your state’s legal filing deadline.

Notable Celebrity Sexual Assault Cases

High-profile celebrity sexual abuse cases have helped bring conversations about consent, power, sexual harassment, and accountability into public view.

Legal outcomes vary widely, but many survivors have gotten a measure of justice through lawsuits that resulted in sexual abuse compensation.

Bill Cosby

In 2015, Bill Cosby became one of the many celebrities charged with sexual assault. Over 60 women have come forward with allegations of sex abuse, resulting in one criminal case and multiple civil lawsuits.

He was convicted in 2018, but the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned that conviction in 2021 after finding that an earlier prosecutor’s promise not to prosecute him should have prevented the later case.

Cosby also paid:

  • A $59.25 million verdict to a woman in 2026
  • A $500,000 verdict to a woman stemming from a 1976 incident
  • A $3.4 million sexual assault settlement to a victim in 2006

Bill Cosby sexual assault allegations may still result in accountability within the civil court system. Legal updates like California’s lookback window allow survivors to seek justice, even against well-known public figures with or without criminal convictions.

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Cuba Gooding Jr. has faced allegations of unwanted sexual touching or groping from multiple women. He entered a conditional guilty plea to forcible touching in 2022 and ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser harassment violation after completing the terms of the agreement.

Separately, a woman filed a $6 million federal civil lawsuit accusing him of rape at a New York City hotel. The case settled on the day it was set to go to trial. The sexual assault settlement amount in this case was not made public.

Danny Masterson

Three women accused Danny Masterson of sexual assault in 2020, and he was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in 2023 after a previous mistrial.

Notably, those women, a fourth woman, and one of the women’s husbands filed a separate civil lawsuit against Masterson and the Church of Scientology in 2019. They alleged that Masterson stalked and intimidated them after they reported the alleged assaults to police.

A judge ruled that most of those church abuse claims had to go through the Church of Scientology’s internal arbitration process rather than open court, and no settlement amount from that case has been publicly disclosed.

Ghislaine Maxwell

Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in December 2021 on federal charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy for her role in recruiting and grooming underage girls for noted sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein. A judge sentenced her to 20 years in prison in June 2022, and she remains incarcerated.

Maxwell has not personally paid a settlement to her victims. Survivors who suffered abuse tied to Maxwell’s conduct were instead able to seek sexual assault compensation through the Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program.

This program paid out roughly $121 million to about 150 claimants between 2020 and 2021, as well as through separate civil suits against Epstein’s estate and associated institutions.

Harvey Weinstein

Harvey Weinstein sexual assault allegations became a major turning point in conversations about celebrity sexual abuse.

93 women made public accusations of sexual harassment and assault within weeks of Ronan Farrow’s investigative reporting on Weinstein, which was published in early October 2017.

As part of the Weinstein Company’s 2021 bankruptcy liquidation proceedings, its insurers agreed to pay $17 million into a victims’ fund for more than 50 women and $35.2 million to resolve remaining claims.

Weinstein was convicted of sex crimes in New York in 2020. That conviction was overturned in 2024, but a 2026 retrial resulted in Weinstein being sentenced to 15 years in prison.

His separate California rape conviction from 2022 was not affected by that decision. In this case, he was sentenced to 16 years behind bars.

Jeffrey Epstein

Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to prostitution-related charges, including soliciting an underage girl. Federal prosecutors charged him with sex trafficking of minors in 2019, but he died before those charges went to trial.

After his death, Epstein’s estate established the Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program, which paid more than $121 million to about 150 survivors between 2020 and 2021 before the fund shut down.

The estate separately reached a $105 million settlement with the U.S. Virgin Islands government. Related third-party litigation, including a $290 million settlement paid by JPMorgan Chase, provided additional compensation for survivors besides the estate’s funds.

If you or someone you loved endured celebrity sexual assault from Jefferey Epstein or his associates, you may still be able to seek compensation. Contact us today to learn about your legal rights.

Kevin Spacey

Kevin Spacey faced sexual misconduct allegations from multiple men starting in 2017. Several of the survivors said the alleged incidents occurred while Spacey served as artistic director of London’s Old Vic Theatre.

Spacey was acquitted of celebrity sexual assault charges in a U.K. criminal trial in 2023. He also prevailed in a U.S. civil case brought by actor Anthony Rapp, with a jury finding in Spacey’s favor rather than awarding any damages or a verdict against him.

In March 2026, Spacey reached an out-of-court settlement with 3 men who sued him in London’s High Court, avoiding a civil trial set for October 2026. The settlement was not disclosed, and Spacey denied all related allegations.

R. Kelly

Many women have accused R. Kelly of sexual assault, abuse, and misconduct. In 2021, a federal jury in New York convicted Kelly of racketeering and sex trafficking charges. He was later convicted in Chicago on federal charges involving child pornography and enticing minors for sex.

Separately, in 2023, 6 women who appeared in the Surviving R. Kelly docuseries won a separate $10.3 million verdict against Kelly. A New York judge found that Kelly and his former manager orchestrated a false mass shooter call to disrupt the documentary’s 2018 premiere.

As of 2025, the women said they had received less than $500,000 of that judgment and returned to court for the rest.

His cases drew particular attention to allegations involving grooming, child sexual abuse, fame, and the power a successful entertainer can hold over young people hoping to enter the entertainment industry.

Sean “Diddy” Combs

A woman sued Sean Combs, also known as Diddy, in November 2023 for alleged rape, physical abuse, and other misconduct during their relationship. This celebrity sexual assault lawsuit was settled for $20 million a day after it was filed, without an admission of wrongdoing.

In 2025, a jury acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking but convicted him on 2 counts involving transportation to engage in prostitution, sentencing him to 4 years in federal prison.

Combs has denied the sexual assault allegations made against him in civil lawsuits. More celebrity sexual assault claims continue to be filed against him, involving 145 men, women, and people who were minors during his alleged abuse.

If you have questions about your eligibility to file a celebrity sexual abuse lawsuit, get a free case review now.

Dismissed Celebrity Sexual Assault or Abuse Lawsuits

While some celebrities are charged with sexual assault after victims file claims, others have their cases dismissed or voluntarily withdrawn.

Neither option invalidates the allegations. They only mean that the celebrity sexual assault lawsuit didn’t proceed to a settlement or verdict.

These celebrities were accused of sexual assault and had lawsuits dismissed or withdrawn:

  • Conor McGregor: A Florida federal court dismissed a celebrity sexual assault lawsuit against Conor McGregor in 2025, who had denied the allegations. The court dismissed the claim with prejudice at the request of the woman who filed it, which means the case can’t be refiled.
  • Jay-Z (Shawn Carter): In 2024, a woman accused Jay-Z and Sean Combs of assaulting her at a 2000 MTV VMAs afterparty when she was a minor. They both denied her claims. A judge denied Jay-Z’s motion to dismiss the case, but the woman’s own sexual assault attorneys voluntarily withdrew the lawsuit in February 2025 with prejudice.
  • Marilyn Manson (Brian Warner): A woman who was Manson’s former personal assistant filed a celebrity sexual assault lawsuit against him in 2021, but it was dismissed in December 2025 because her claims were time-barred. A second woman filed a sexual assault, battery, and human trafficking lawsuit against Manson in 2021, but it was dismissed in 2023 without prejudice so she could potentially refile in the future. Manson has denied both allegations.
  • Snoop Dogg (Calvin Broadus): A woman filed a celebrity sexual assault claim against Snoop Dogg in early 2022. Two weeks after Snoop moved to dismiss it, her attorneys asked the court to dismiss the case for unknown reasons. Snoop has denied her claims.
  • Steven Seagal: A former assistant of Seagal filed a $1 million civil lawsuit against him in 2010, alleging sexual harassment. Her attorneys later dismissed the suit. No settlement was confirmed, and Seagal denied her allegations.

Celebrity sexual assault lawsuits can end for several reasons unrelated to the allegations. Some may end because of filing deadlines, the toll of public scrutiny, or a private resolution reached outside the courtroom.

Who Qualifies to File a Celebrity Sexual Assault Lawsuit?

If you or a loved one were sexually abused by a famous person, you may have options. Celebrities who sexually assaulted people aren’t protected from legal consequences because they’re well-known.

You may be able to pursue a celebrity sexual assault claim if:

  • The abuse happened within your state’s filing deadline, falls under a lookback window, or qualifies through another state-specific factor
  • You can identify the person or organization responsible for the harm
  • You’re willing to pursue a civil claim

Your abuser doesn’t need to have a criminal charge or conviction before you’re able to file a claim. A sexual assault lawyer experienced in these cases can review the facts of what happened and explain whether you may have a viable claim.

Talk with our team today to explore your next steps.

Celebrity Sexual Assault Statute of Limitations

A statute of limitations is the filing deadline that determines when a person’s claim is no longer eligible for a lawsuit. They also change with each state, so there’s no single deadline that applies to every celebrity sexual assault case.

Statutes of limitations for celebrity sexual abuse lawsuits vary based on:

  • The state where the abuse occurred
  • The type of sexual assault or abuse claim being filed
  • Whether that state has passed a lookback window or revival law that temporarily allows older claims to be filed
  • Whether the survivor was a minor or an adult at the time of the abuse

Several states have extended or eliminated deadlines for sexual abuse claims in recent years. Some are also specific to abuse that occurred when the survivor was either a child or an adult.

For example, California started a lookback window on January 1, 2026, for adult survivors of sexual assault. They have until December 31, 2027, to file sexual assault lawsuits that were previously time-barred.

Because these laws change frequently and vary widely by state, don’t assume you’re out of time just because years or decades have passed. A celebrity sexual abuse attorney can review your specific situation and tell you which deadlines may apply to your claim.

Notable Celebrity Sexual Abuse Settlements and Verdicts

Over the past decade, a number of high-profile settlements and verdicts have called attention to allegations of celebrity sexual abuse.

They illustrate the financial scale of these lawsuits and the varied legal paths, from private settlements to public trials, through which these allegations have been resolved.

Notable settlements and verdicts for celebrity sexual assault lawsuits include:

  • September 23, 2026: Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 15 years in prison after a sexual assault retrial in New York City.
  • February 20, 2026: Jeffrey Epstein’s estate reached a $35 million settlement to settle a sexual abuse class-action lawsuit filed by survivors who alleged that Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn facilitated Epstein’s sex trafficking ring. Both men have denied the allegations.
  • July 18, 2025: New York State agreed to pay nearly $500,000 to settle 2 sexual harassment lawsuits against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, which were filed by his former staffers. He did not admit to any wrongdoing.
  • April 9, 2025: A jury awarded $1.68 billion to 40 women who filed sexual harassment claims against director James Toback. He has denied their allegations.
  • January 24, 2025: Court records revealed that music mogul Russell Simmons still owed 3 women collectively more than $3 million from a 2023 sexual assault settlement. He hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing.
  • January 26, 2024: A second 2024 jury ordered Donald Trump to pay E. Jean Carroll an additional $83.3 million in a defamation trial related to her sexual assault lawsuit. He denied her allegations.
  • May 9, 2023: A federal civil jury in Manhattan found Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll and defaming her, awarding her $5 million. He did not admit to any wrongdoing.
  • July 1, 2021: James Franco agreed to pay $2.2 million to settle a sexual misconduct class-action lawsuit brought by 2 former acting students, though he did not make any admission of liability.
  • October 22, 2017: Former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly agreed to pay $32 million to settle a claim by a former Fox legal analyst who alleged repeated sexual harassment and a nonconsensual relationship. O’Reilly maintained that he did nothing wrong.
  • September 6, 2016: Fox’s parent company, 21st Century Fox, settled a sexual harassment lawsuit with Gretchen Carlson for $20 million, ending her claim against former CEO Roger Ailes. Ailes issued a public apology, but admitted no wrongdoing.

Whether celebrity sexual assault claims get resolved through settlements or verdicts, survivors have options to hold powerful or wealthy individuals accountable.

Experienced sexual abuse attorneys can help victims seek compensation that makes mental health care, medical treatments, and other services accessible.

Contact us now to discuss how much your celebrity sexual abuse claim may be worth.

Celebrity Sexual Abuse and Assault Cases: News and Updates

High-profile sexual abuse and assault allegations continue to make headlines across industries like entertainment, sports, and politics. Reading recent updates can help you understand how these cases typically unfold.

Here are some of the latest celebrity sexual abuse and assault updates:

  • September 23, 2026: Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 15 years in a New York prison and 5 years of supervised release afterward, more than a year after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a production assistant. He did not admit any wrongdoing in his court statement.
  • September 21, 2026: Influencer Braden Eric Peters, known online as Clavicular, was criminally charged with rape, giving alcohol to a minor, and drugging a person for sex.
  • September 16, 2026: The Los Angeles County judge for Steven Tyler’s sexual assault case abruptly recused herself after disclosing an undetailed personal conflict. He has denied the victim’s claims.
  • July 29, 2026: Four women accused actor and musician Jared Leto of criminal sexual conduct when they were teenagers. Leto has denied the allegations as “categorically false.”
  • July 27, 2026: Lawyers for influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate met with federal prosecutors in Miami to discuss extradition for sexual assault lawsuits against the Tate brothers in the United Kingdom.
  • July 23, 2026: Kanye West reached an undisclosed settlement with a former assistant who accused him of sexual assault. He admitted no wrongdoing.
  • July 22, 2025: Musician FKA Twigs and actor Shia LaBeouf reached an out-of-court settlement in the sexual battery and assault lawsuit she filed against him in 2020. The case was dismissed “with prejudice,” and settlement terms were kept private.
  • June 26, 2026: A California appeals court upheld Harvey Weinstein’s 2022 rape and sexual assault conviction, but ordered that he get a new sentence due to the jury knowing about his New York conviction prior to the California trial.
  • April 10, 2026: Four women accused California Representative Eric Swalwell of sexual assault and misconduct. Though he denied the allegations, Swalwell resigned from his Congressional seat 3 days later.
  • February 24, 2026: Comedian Russell Brand pleaded not guilty to 2 new rape and sexual assault charges. He previously pleaded not guilty to 1 count of indecent assault, 2 counts of rape, and 2 counts of sexual assault.
  • February 9, 2026: Two of 30 sexual assault and misconduct lawsuits against Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson were dismissed. One was resolved with an undisclosed settlement.

As these cases progress through the courts, new settlements, verdicts, and allegations could potentially emerge in the coming weeks and months. Staying updated will help you understand how survivors can pursue accountability from abusers in positions of power or wealth.

How to File a Celebrity Sexual Assault Lawsuit

We’re here to help if you, your child, or a loved one is a survivor of celebrity sexual assault. You don’t have to navigate the legal system alone, especially when you’re alleging misconduct by a powerful individual.

Here’s how you can file a celebrity sexual assault lawsuit:

  1. Get a free case review: Our compassionate team will listen to your story and help you understand if you have an eligible claim.
  2. Gather evidence: If you qualify, your celebrity sexual abuse lawyer will gather evidence to strengthen your claim, which may include things like medical records or financial statements.
  3. File your celebrity sexual abuse lawsuit: Your attorney will file your lawsuit in the proper court before any legal deadlines pass.
  4. Let your lawyer handle the legal process: They’ll negotiate a meaningful settlement or represent you in court, if your claim proceeds to trial.

Celebrity sexual assault survivors may feel like their story will never be believed over someone the public already loves. You don’t need everyone on your side to have a valid claim, and you don’t have to carry this by yourself.

Get your free case review today.

Get Support After Celebrity Sexual Assault

Maybe you’ve wondered who would have your back if you came forward about your experience with celebrity sexual abuse. At Her Case Matters, we believe a person’s fame or power doesn’t make your story less important.

Survivors deserve a listening ear and an experienced legal team. Our partner lawyers have recovered $10.5 Billion to date for victims of injustice, including sexual assault.

If you’re considering legal action, we can connect you with lawyers who are ready to support you and explain your options.

There’s no charge to see if you qualify and no upfront fees to work with our partner celebrity sexual assault law firm.

Get a free case review today or call (877) 640-6101 to take the first step toward accountability and compensation.

Celebrity Sexual Assault FAQs

What celebrities have been accused of sexual assault?

Numerous celebrities and public figures have faced sexual assault or abuse allegations, including:

  • Bill Cosby
  • Cuba Gooding Jr.
  • Danny Masterson
  • Ghislaine Maxwell
  • Harvey Weinstein
  • Jeffrey Epstein
  • Kevin Spacey
  • R. Kelly
  • Sean “Diddy” Combs
  • And others

Their cases have had very different outcomes. Some resulted in criminal convictions or civil verdicts, while others involved allegations that were ultimately dismissed.

If you’ve experienced sexual assault involving a public figure, you may have legal options. Contact us today to see if you’re eligible to file a celebrity sexual abuse lawsuit.

Have female celebrities been accused of sexual assault?

Yes, female celebrities have been accused of sexual assault, though it’s reported less often than allegations against male celebrities. RAINN estimates that only 8% of known sexual violence perpetrators are female.

Women accused of celebrity sexual assault include:

  • Alice Ripley: The Tony-winning Broadway performer has been accused, though not sued or criminally charged, by 4 former fans who say she “groomed” them as minors. She has denied their allegations.
  • Asia Argento: The actress and #MeToo activist paid a $380,000 settlement in 2018 to a male actor who alleged she sexually assaulted him in a California hotel room in 2013, when he was 17 and she was 37. Argento has not admitted any wrongdoing.
  • Katy Perry: Actress Ruby Rose publicly accused Perry in 2026 of sexually assaulting her at a Melbourne nightclub in 2010. Perry has denied the allegation as “categorically false” and no charges have been filed as of September 2026.

Survivors of abuse by a female celebrity face many of the same challenges as survivors of male celebrities: fear of not being believed, concern about public backlash, and uncertainty about legal options. The same support and legal resources are available regardless of who’s accused.

Why are celebrity sexual assault cases dismissed?

A celebrity sexual assault case can end when the plaintiff withdraws it, a judge rules it didn’t meet a filing standard, or both sides reach a settlement — none of which speaks to whether the allegations were true.

Settlements are one of the most common reasons a case disappears from the docket. Lawyers at a sexual assault law firm can recommend the best course of action when a claim ends.

What do you do if you were sexually assaulted by a celebrity years ago?

You may still qualify for a celebrity sexual assault lawsuit, even if you were abused years ago. It depends on your state’s statute of limitations, which is also called a filing deadline.

These deadlines vary in each state based on the type of claim, the survivor’s age, and other case-specific circumstances. Some states have also extended deadlines or revival periods for certain sexual abuse claims.

If your assault happened years ago, don’t assume that you don’t have any options. Get a free case review now to find out where you stand.

Written by: Her Case Matters

At HerCaseMatters, we believe women deserve to be heard — especially when it comes to their health and safety. Too often, harmful drugs, devices, and corporate wrongdoing impact women’s lives without proper warning, support, or accountability. We’re here to change that. We work with trusted legal partners who are deeply experienced in holding powerful companies accountable. But more than that, we’re here to remind women everywhere that their pain is real, their experiences matter, and they deserve justice.

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  67. WRTV 6. (April 8, 2022). Snoop Dogg accuser withdraws sexual assault lawsuit. Retrieved from: https://www.wrtv.com/news/snoop-dogg-accuser-withdraws-sexual-assault-lawsuit/.
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