National Injury Help https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/ Representing Injured People Worldwide Tue, 24 Nov 2020 18:01:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/cropped-hood-32x32.jpg National Injury Help https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/ 32 32 Musicians Who Have Been Charged With Sexual Abuse https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/sexual-abuse/musicians-who-have-been-charged-with-sexual-abuse/ https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/sexual-abuse/musicians-who-have-been-charged-with-sexual-abuse/#respond Tue, 24 Nov 2020 18:01:51 +0000 https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/?p=39842 Over the years, numerous individuals throughout the music industry have been accused of sexual misconduct, ranging from inappropriate comments to rape. When a famous figure is accused of such crimes, it can be hard for the public to process. Popular musicians build a successful career by having a solid fan base and earning the admiration [&hellip

The post Musicians Who Have Been Charged With Sexual Abuse appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
Over the years, numerous individuals throughout the music industry have been accused of sexual misconduct, ranging from inappropriate comments to rape. When a famous figure is accused of such crimes, it can be hard for the public to process.

Popular musicians build a successful career by having a solid fan base and earning the admiration of millions. But when a crime of this nature suddenly comes to light, fans are left to reckon with the awful actions committed by someone whose music they adore.

This trend of famous people being held accountable is only going to continue. Victims of sexual assault and harassment are being heard and believed like never before, inspiring others to come forward. At National Injury Help, We’re at the forefront of this movement to stop sex predators and help victims file lawsuits against their abusers. (If you are in need of support, feel free to reach out to us.)

Our most recent example of holding powerful musicians accountable is the sexual misconduct lawsuit against The Police frontman Sting.

To protect the name and confidentiality of the accuser for fear of victim shaming, we are using the name Jane Doe for now, however, she will be revealing her name when the time is more appropriate.

Sting has been accused of raping 15-year-old “Jane Doe” in his hotel room in 1979. 

The young fan was introduced to Sting at a Police meet and greet event, and later attended a nearby concert where the band performed. Jane Doe, a starstruck 15-year-old, naively accepted Sting’s invitation to a party afterwards. Sting’s behavior towards Jane Doe became increasingly physical and suggestive, until he brought her back to his hotel room and committed statutory rape.

Sting was able to move on with his illustrious career without facing the repercussions for his actions that night. This civil lawsuit against him will hold him accountable for this heinous act and hopefully stop sex predators in the future.

In addition to Sting, there have been numerous other figures in the music industry accused of sex crimes. Below are some famous figures in the music industry who have faced similar charges.

Michael Jackson

One of the most widely known cases of sexual misconduct by a famous artist is that of Michael Jackson. For decades, even after his death, Jackson has been implicated in numerous civil and criminal lawsuits, child sex abuse allegations, and police investigations for his misconduct.

Numerous young boys bravely came forward over the years to share their stories of abuse by the superstar. The accusations continued to pile up, and Jackson went to trial in 2005. Although he was never convicted nor faced jail time, his estate has settled numerous civil cases outside of court, implying that there was weight to the numerous claims.

The accusations of sexual abuse against young boys were brought up yet again in the 2019 documentary “Leaving Neverland.”

  1. Kelly

In terms of publicity, second to Michael Jackson’s sexual abuse case is the R. Kelly controversy. For years, there has been a massive amount of coverage regarding sexual misconduct the rapper has committed. In 2002, a video emerged of him having sex with a 14-year-old child. Kelly was charged with 21 counts of making child pornography after this incident, but his misconduct didn’t stop there.

Reports continue to emerge, to this day, that R. Kelly has a “sex cult” of brainwashed young women under his control. Former victims have spoken out about his mistreatment, and families of young women still involved in the cult plead for their daughters’ return.

It’s also worth noting that in 1994, 27-year-old R. Kelly illegally married a 15-year-old girl, demonstrating that his predatory behavior has been going on for decades.

Dr. Luke

Dr. Luke is a renowned music producer accused by pop star Ke$ha of “sexually, physically, verbally, and emotionally” abusing her. He vehemently denied these accusations, and the two endured a lengthy legal battle. Even after numerous court appearances, tons of media coverage, and multiple celebrities expressing their support for Ke$ha, Dr. Luke never faced any consequences.

Ryan Adams

Ryan Adams is a singer/songwriter who has been accused of sexual and emotional abuse by several women, including his ex-wife, musician and actress Mandy Moore. Moore has been open about the emotional and mental manipulation she experienced during their marriage, and this sort of behavior wasn’t just limited to her. Many women in the industry say he leveraged his influence to try to elicit sexual favors from them. In addition, a former fan named Ava came forward about how Adams initiated a sexually suggestive online relationship with her when she was 14 years old.

Russell Simmons

Multiple women came forward in 2017 with accusations of sexual harrassment, assualt, and rape against famous record producer Russell Simmons. While Simmons has apologized for any “inappropriate conduct” he many have committed, he staunchly denies the sexual assault charges. As of 2020, one of the lawsuits brought against him was thrown out of court since the statute of limitations had expired. 

Tekashi 6ix9ine

In 2015, rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine pled guilty to a felony count of use of a child in a sexual performance after he distributed a video of him and a friend engaging sexually with a 13-year-old child. He can potentially serve up to three years in prison for this crime and may have to register as a sex offender.

Charlie Walk

In 2018, Republic Records Executive Charlie Walk was accused of sexual harrassment by five former colleagues. The sexual misconduct he’s been accused of includes inappropriate and unwanted touching, predatory behavior, and lewd and suggestive comments. He has since been fired from his position at Republic Records. 

Sadly, this is only a fraction of the prominent figures in the music and entertainment industry who have exploited their power to abuse those who they see as “less than.” Fame and popularity can make some people feel untouchable, and their influence can help shield them from some consequences.

But that’s exactly what we at National Injury Help want to battle against. Our mission is to hold abusers accountable, help as many victims as we can, and to stop sex predators. Our case against the music artist Sting is just one of the recent initiatives we’ve embarked on to make things right for innocent victims of sexual assault. 

The post Musicians Who Have Been Charged With Sexual Abuse appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/sexual-abuse/musicians-who-have-been-charged-with-sexual-abuse/feed/ 0
How to Talk to Kids About Sexual Assault https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/clergy-abuse/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-sexual-assault/ https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/clergy-abuse/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-sexual-assault/#respond Tue, 27 Oct 2020 21:34:05 +0000 https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/?p=39812 Sadly, in this world, the sexual abuse of children can be quite prevalent. That’s why it’s a parent’s responsibility to talk to their child about this tough topic somewhat early on. It’s scary to think that perpetrators of this heinous crime may be in your midst, but you’ll truly never know every single person your [&hellip

The post How to Talk to Kids About Sexual Assault appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
Sadly, in this world, the sexual abuse of children can be quite prevalent. That’s why it’s a parent’s responsibility to talk to their child about this tough topic somewhat early on. It’s scary to think that perpetrators of this heinous crime may be in your midst, but you’ll truly never know every single person your child comes in contact with. For this reason, difficult conversations like this one are necessary. Equipping your child with the knowledge to stop or report sexual abuse can be an invaluable tool for their well-being.

Empower Them to Say “No”

Children can be scared to stand up to an adult and tell them “no.” Their entire lives, they’re taught to follow the instruction of grown-ups, and trust that they’re making the best decision possible. So, when it comes to learning about sexual assault, the lesson that it’s okay to say “no” to an adult goes completely against their existing knowledge.

As a parent, it’s up to you to distinguish when it’s okay for a child to say “no” to an adult. Explain that if they feel uncomfortable doing something, or if an adult wants to engage in behavior that feels wrong, it’s perfectly okay to say no and walk away.

Explain Private Body Parts

Explain to your child which body parts are private and should not be shared with other adults. This way they understand that certain types of touch are inappropriate.

You may have to make the distinction in certain situations, like how it’s okay when a parent is giving them a bath, or a doctor is giving them a check-up with a parent in the room. In other situations, they should know their private body parts should be covered, and others should not be exposing theirs. 

Talk About Secrets

In order to cover up their actions, many predators tell their victims to keep the abuse a secret. On top of that, the perpetrator may also tell the child that there will be serious consequences if they tell the secret to anyone else. Children usually trust the authority of adults, so this can be an impactful threat.

As a parent, tell your child that no one, not even other children, should ask them to keep a secret about their body. Make sure your child understands that even if they’re told they’ll get in trouble, it’s okay to tell a trusted grownup about something that makes them uncomfortable.

Explain Boundaries

In a very basic way, go over appropriate vs. inappropriate behavior. Explain that it’s not okay for adults to interact with children in certain ways, and that these boundaries should exist with their peers, too. Older children can perpetrate sexual abuse, so it’s important for kids to be aware of this. One of the main ways children understand this is through the concept of “personal space.”

This can be a very difficult conversation and may even have to be split up into numerous conversations over the course of time. But this information can empower children to understand and prevent abuse, a valuable lesson they’ll carry with them into adulthood. We hope this information gives you the motivation and foundation of knowledge to mention these concepts to your child.

Our law firm has handled hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits and settlements, so if you need to speak with professional legal counsel, please visit us at www.stopsexpredators.com. We can maintain your confidentiality and protect the privacy of your name and personal information.

The post How to Talk to Kids About Sexual Assault appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/clergy-abuse/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-sexual-assault/feed/ 0
Long-Term Effects of Childhood Sex Abuse https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/clergy-abuse/long-term-effects-of-childhood-sex-abuse/ https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/clergy-abuse/long-term-effects-of-childhood-sex-abuse/#respond Sun, 11 Oct 2020 19:56:45 +0000 https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/?p=39810 Experiencing sexual abuse as a child can impact someone for the rest of their lives. Having something so traumatic occur during the formative years of childhood can be devastating. Effects can vary in severity, but overall there is almost always a lasting implication, whether mental, emotional, or even physical. In order to fully understand the [&hellip

The post Long-Term Effects of Childhood Sex Abuse appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
Experiencing sexual abuse as a child can impact someone for the rest of their lives. Having something so traumatic occur during the formative years of childhood can be devastating. Effects can vary in severity, but overall there is almost always a lasting implication, whether mental, emotional, or even physical. In order to fully understand the plight of people that have been abused as children, we’ve outlined a few of the long-term effects of childhood sex abuse. 

child-abuseDepression and Anxiety

Depression is one of the main results of sexual abuse as a child. Many children who are being abused don’t know how to process or understand the abuse, so they internalize it. As they grow older, if the abuse is not addressed, it weighs on them and can manifest itself as depression.

Depression is different than simply being saddened by the abuse they experienced. According to Mayo Clinic, symptoms of depression include:

  • Ongoing feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness, or hopelessness
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
  • Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide

Anxiety is closely related to depression and is quite common in victims as well. As children, they may have never felt truly safe, couldn’t trust others because of an abusive adult, and were scared about what was happening. This can impact the child’s functioning for the rest of their life, causing them to regularly feel nervous, a sense of impending danger, or panic.

Negative Self-Esteem

Some children blame themselves for the sexual abuse, and feel as though they’ve done something to deserve it. Most children see adults as always right, so the fact that an adult was perpetuating the abuse may cause a child to think they themselves are in the wrong. This results in a very negative self-image, as the child may think they’re bad in some way. Growing up with a sense of disdain for oneself is extremely harmful in the long run.

A strong sense of shame is also associated with childhood sexual abuse, with the child feeling ashamed/dirty about what happened. This mix of emotions can cause an ongoing, negative self-image.

Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is a common method for people to deal with internal suffering, and victims of childhood sexual abuse experience a lot of this throughout their lives. According to a study done by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, “adults abused as children are four to five times more likely to have abused alcohol and illicit drugs.” (Source)

Negative feelings about themselves and devastating memories of the past can become overwhelming, and some try to quell the sadness with substances. For some, alcohol and drugs can lessen the impact of awful memories and provide temporary relief.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is not just reserved for veterans. Sexual abuse is one of the most traumatic things a child can experience, which is why they can have PTSD later in life. Symptoms of PTSD include phobias, night terrors, and flashbacks. This disorder interferes with normal, daily functioning, impacting the quality of life for the victim.

There are many options for adults who have experienced childhood sexual abuse. They can turn to therapists to process the trauma and be prescribed medication to help with the overwhelming symptoms. If you are dealing with any lasting impacts as an adult due to sexual abuse, we can help you get justice. Hiring a sexual abuse lawyer is the first step towards a sex abuse settlement.

If you or a family member has been sexually abused by a person of authority, whether it is a clergy member from any denomination, youth sports organization, private or public school, daycare, medical professional, University, or any organization supervising children, you can submit your Private and Free claim by visiting https://www.stopsexpredators.com.   We are highly experienced and compassionate when dealing with Sex abuse cases and we can keep your identity private throughout the process of holding the abusers and those who helped cover up the abuse accountable.  We can help you recover costs for medical and counseling expenses, loss of income due to extended recovery times, loss of companionship with family members, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

The post Long-Term Effects of Childhood Sex Abuse appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/clergy-abuse/long-term-effects-of-childhood-sex-abuse/feed/ 0
Help For Victims of Child Sexual Abuse https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/clergy-abuse/help-for-victims-of-child-sexual-abuse/ https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/clergy-abuse/help-for-victims-of-child-sexual-abuse/#respond Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:25:18 +0000 https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/?p=39794 Experiencing childhood sexual abuse is one of the most traumatic things that can happen to a person. Being abused by an adult they trusted, such as clergy members, is an ultimate betrayal that will stick with someone for the rest of their lives. Even if the victim receives compensation through a lawsuit, there is still [&hellip

The post Help For Victims of Child Sexual Abuse appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
Experiencing childhood sexual abuse is one of the most traumatic things that can happen to a person. Being abused by an adult they trusted, such as clergy members, is an ultimate betrayal that will stick with someone for the rest of their lives. Even if the victim receives compensation through a lawsuit, there is still unresolved, internal trauma. When a childhood victim grows into an adult, where can they get help beyond the courtroom?

If you or someone you know was abused by a clergy member, there are many resources available. Below are some support groups dedicated to helping victims of this reprehensible crime.

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP)

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is “the largest, oldest, and most active support group for women and men wounded by religious and institutional authorities.” SNAP’s expansive network has allowed them to create support groups all over the United States. This way, more survivors have an in-person group they can turn to.

In addition to going to support group meetings, you can find numerous resources on SNAP’s website. One of the most unique features is their collection of survivor stories. SNAP teamed up with NPR and recorded thousands of interviews with victims of clergy sexual abuse, which you can listen to on their website. Hearing the stories of people with similar experiences may inspire you to attend a group meeting, or even share your own story. These stories of resilience and bravery are enough to inspire anyone.

Voice of the Faithful

In 2002, in the midst of the clergy sexual abuse crisis, a modest group of Catholic church-goers started to meet to discuss the horror of this rampant sexual abuse and how to combat it. This group meeting in a church basement has since grown into a worldwide organization with more than 30,000 members. Their goals include supporting survivors of clergy abuse and making impactful change within the Catholic Church. This organization is ideal for people who want to keep their faith, but have been deeply hurt by clergy sexual abuse.

National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (NAASCA)

National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (NAASCA) is a national nonprofit organization that “address issues related to childhood abuse and trauma including sexual assault, violent or physical abuse, emotional traumas and neglect.” While NAASCA may not specifically focus on sexual abuse by clergy members, this group is still incredibly beneficial for those who need an environment of healing from sexual abuse.

NAASCA has their own talk radio show 5 nights a week, virtual recovery meetings 3 days a week, and in-person recovery groups all over the world. This allows any survivor to participate in the healing process, no matter where they are located. NAASCA also has numerous volunteer opportunities for those who want to make a difference for countless others. Lastly, they have an expansive amount of educational resources, including videos and book recommendations.

There are numerous other organizations that can help survivors of sexual abuse heal. They provide the opportunity to have open and honest conversations about what you’ve experienced, and receive the support of others who carry a similar weight. Being involved in a community of people that understand what you’ve been through is an impactful and valuable part of the healing process. You can overcome the trauma, and build an incredible support system in the process.

If you or a family member has been sexually abused by a person of authority, whether it is a a clergy member from any church, Boy Scout or Girl Scouts, youth sports organization, private or public school, daycare, medical professional, University, or any organization supervising children, you can submit your Private and Free claim by visiting https://www.stopsexpredators.com.   We are highly experienced and compassionate when dealing with Sex abuse cases and we can keep your identity private throughout the process of holding the abusers and those who helped cover up the abuse accountable.  We can help you recover costs for medical and counseling expenses, loss of income due to extended recovery times, loss of companionship with family members, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

The post Help For Victims of Child Sexual Abuse appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/clergy-abuse/help-for-victims-of-child-sexual-abuse/feed/ 0
Clergy Sexual Abuse Investigations https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/clergy-abuse/clergy-sexual-abuse-investigations/ https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/clergy-abuse/clergy-sexual-abuse-investigations/#respond Wed, 24 Jun 2020 20:07:25 +0000 https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/?p=39788 In light of the recurring incidents of sexual abuse by clergy members in California, reporting the crime and holding perpetrators accountable is strongly advised. A dive into history reveals an endless list of abuse survivors who have lived a grueling struggle to come to terms with this suffering over the years. This battle of unbridled [&hellip

The post Clergy Sexual Abuse Investigations appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
In light of the recurring incidents of sexual abuse by clergy members in California, reporting the crime and holding perpetrators accountable is strongly advised. A dive into history reveals an endless list of abuse survivors who have lived a grueling struggle to come to terms with this suffering over the years. This battle of unbridled clergy sexual abuse has reiterated the dire need for justice for victims of sexual abuse in California.

What is Clergy Sexual Abuse?

Clergy sexual abuse is when a member of the clergy uses his position of power for vile gains. This could include exploitation, harm, harassment or sexual abuse of any member of the congregation. Due to the authority that the clergyman holds, the victim may be coaxed into an agreement or forced ‘consent’. As a result, the definition of consent changes in this matter and cannot be used as an acceptable defense against the abuse.

Who Can Commit Clergy Abuse?

  • Priests
  • Rabbis
  • Ministers
  • Pastors
  • Staff
  • Religious workers

Institutions under Fire for Clergy Abuse

A number of wholesome institutions have witnessed retribution due to the predatory acts of child abuse over the years. The avalanche of sexual abuse cases has led to investigations of the following, now infamous organizations.

Catholic Church

The once prestigious organization has faced a raft of allegations against priests countered by silence from bishops. The harrowing details of innumerable cases surfaced, leading to outburst. In the 1990s, there was public outrage against two Boston priests, Paul Shanley and John Geoghan. These piling cases against the Catholic Church have received no response from people in positions of power not only in the USA but all over the world.

Boy Scouts of America

Scores of victims seek retribution for the crimes committed by the Boy Scouts of America over the years. The institution that teaches boys manners, a sense of right and wrong, and has been considered an integral building block of a man’s identity is now the face of a crippling problem, child abuse. While the organization has been supported by the likes of John F. Kennedy and George W. Bush, its traumatic history of sexual abuse has failed the entire nation.

YMCA

The Youth Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) was known all around the world as a reputed organization focused on youth development. However, there have been a number of cases of child abuse suffered at the hands of members of the YMCA. Apart from its obvious crime of negligent hiring, YMCA is also reported to have continued providing staff access to innocent children for heinous crimes.

The Legal Route to Clergy Abuse: Contact the National Injury Helpline Today!

Your Call Can Save Lives

If you or a loved one has been sexually assaulted or made uncomfortable through sexual advances, innuendos, or behavior, it is advised that you get in touch with the National Injury Helpline to consult a California clergy sexual abuse lawyer who can get you the justice you deserve.

While the pain and emotional trauma suffered by the victim cannot be compensated with damages, filing a lawsuit against the perpetrator can ensure the molester does not repeat this behavior with another innocent victim.

This is not just your war against them, but our combined efforts to stand against sexual clergy abuse that has vilified wholesome institutions and swept its crimes under the rug for far too long.

 Call now 1 (800) 214-1010!

The post Clergy Sexual Abuse Investigations appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/clergy-abuse/clergy-sexual-abuse-investigations/feed/ 0
Unbelievable: 1,700 Former Clergy Accused of Sex Abuse Now Work as Teachers and Social Workers https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/clergy-abuse/unbelievable-1700-former-clergy-accused-of-sex-abuse-now-work-as-teachers-and-social-workers/ https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/clergy-abuse/unbelievable-1700-former-clergy-accused-of-sex-abuse-now-work-as-teachers-and-social-workers/#respond Wed, 15 Apr 2020 19:30:26 +0000 https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/?p=39738 In a stunning report from the Associated Press, details have been revealed about 1,700 priests and other clergy members who left the Roman Catholic Church are now working as middle school teachers, nurses, counselors for sex assault victims, and volunteer organizations geared towards helping children. The former priests and clergy were identified and tracked by [&hellip

The post Unbelievable: 1,700 Former Clergy Accused of Sex Abuse Now Work as Teachers and Social Workers appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
In a stunning report from the Associated Press, details have been revealed about 1,700 priests and other clergy members who left the Roman Catholic Church are now working as middle school teachers, nurses, counselors for sex assault victims, and volunteer organizations geared towards helping children.

The former priests and clergy were identified and tracked by the AP through using lists of credibly accused people identified by dioceses across the country.

They’re Unsupervised
The former clergy found by the AP are living and working around us with virtually no oversight from Church or law enforcement authorities.

One of the most disturbing aspects of this story – and there are many disturbing points – hundreds were found to now be working in positions of trust and with access to children. Some had been awarded with professional licenses to work in the fields of medicine, education and social work.

Beyond the 1,700 tracked by the AP, nearly 80 remain unaccounted.

The Scope of the Clergy Sex Abuse Problem
Collectively, more than 5,100 clergy members were outed by the Church as being credibly accused of sexual abuse.

In just about any other setting, the Church would have been celebrated for alerted church members and other members of the public about the danger posed by such predators.

Unfortunately, though, the Church’s hand was forced when a Pennsylvania grand jury concluded their two-year investigation with the revelation that the Church actively concealed the abuse of children by their clergy.

While some Biblical lawyers strongly urged each diocese to be transparent in the wake of grand jury report, most dioceses decided not to. Some of the few dioceses that did do the right thing by providing the names of those who had been credibly accused, have been credibly accused themselves of underreporting – or lowballing – the number of accused clergy who have been named.

If You’ve Been Sexually Abused by Clergy, Call National Injury Help.
While we realize it’s extraordinarily difficult to step forward to hold your abuser accountable, your help can ensure that person never abuses another victim.

Even though no dollar figure can be fairly affixed to your level of abuse, you should know that the average settlement offer or monetary award for coming forward with credible claims is between $120,000 to $250,000.

There’s simply no reasonable excuse for anyone to commit such a heinous act, much less a clergy who has been granted a high level of trust.

If you’re a victim of clergy sexual abuse, we want to offer you a free consultation to discuss your legal options.

Call us at 800-214-1010. You can also reach us vial email at help@nationalinjuryhelp.com.

The post Unbelievable: 1,700 Former Clergy Accused of Sex Abuse Now Work as Teachers and Social Workers appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/clergy-abuse/unbelievable-1700-former-clergy-accused-of-sex-abuse-now-work-as-teachers-and-social-workers/feed/ 0
Stripper Back Pay Calculator Shows Dancers How Much Owed https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/category-one/stripper-pay-back-calculator/ https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/category-one/stripper-pay-back-calculator/#respond Thu, 03 Oct 2019 18:36:56 +0000 https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/?p=39674 October 3, 2019 — San Diego, CA.  In the first ever of it’s kind, exotic dancers and strippers now have a powerful tool available to see how much they may be owed in back pay. This FREE online tool can show a fairly accurate figure of how much dancers may be able to receive from [&hellip

The post Stripper Back Pay Calculator Shows Dancers How Much Owed appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
October 3, 2019 — San Diego, CA.  In the first ever of it’s kind, exotic dancers and strippers now have a powerful tool available to see how much they may be owed in back pay.

Dancer & Stripper Back Pay Calculator

https://backpaycalculator.com/

This FREE online tool can show a fairly accurate figure of how much dancers may be able to receive from the strip club if they have been misclassified according to FLSA employment laws.

Are strippers, topless dancers or exotic dancers an “employee” or “independent contractor”?

Many clubs today will often seek to categorize the dancers as “independent contractors” rather than employees.  This tactic allows these clubs to avoid following the rules set by the Fair Labor Standards Act, known as FLSA laws.

However, gentlemen clubs or stripper bars can’t just state that a dancer is an independent contractor and make it true – certain legal requirements must be met; otherwise, the dancer is actually an employee.  We understand the FLSA laws in every state, and strip club owners and operators must adhere to these laws. If you’ve been taken advantage of – contact us today.

Here’s an example of the abuse of unfair pay some strippers are facing:

“Candi” is an exotic dancer who has worked for a New York strip club for the past 3 years. This club owns 20 locations across the state.  When she applied for the job she was told she would be a 1099 Independent Contractor.  She was also told she must pay “house fees” or “dance floor” fees every shift at every club they own.  She is also required by the club to tip all on staff DJs and other club workers. Does this sound fair?  Is this strip club pay scheme illegal? YES!


What will happen if I file a stripper lawsuit?

We will hold any strip club or gentleman’s clubs accountable if they have broken any Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) laws.  In doing so women who have taken part in a class action lawsuit could gain the following: (please note these are examples, every case is different)

  • Back pay of 2-3 years of hourly wages.
  • All “fees” you may have paid to the club.
  • Any other monetary benefits related to an employee status.
  • Recoup any and all “tips” paid to other club workers including DJs and /or House Moms.

Dancer Back Pay Calculator is now online to help you see how much you may be entitled to!

Free to use – and you don’t even have to enter your name.

Give it a Spin to see how much you could owed!
https://backpaycalculator.com/

The post Stripper Back Pay Calculator Shows Dancers How Much Owed appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/category-one/stripper-pay-back-calculator/feed/ 0
List: Every abusive Catholic Church priest, clergy member named in every state in the past year. https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/personal-injury-law/list-abusive-catholic-church-priest-clergy-member-names/ https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/personal-injury-law/list-abusive-catholic-church-priest-clergy-member-names/#respond Tue, 10 Sep 2019 17:46:00 +0000 https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/?p=39638 September 10, 2019 – San Diego, CA.  While doing internet searches on the current church sex abuse scandals we were happy to find Bishop-Accountability.org.  This website is a powerful tool for exposing the names of Catholic priests and Bishops who have been either charged or investigated for sexual abuse crimes on children or adults. Bishop-Accountability.org [&hellip

The post List: Every abusive Catholic Church priest, clergy member named in every state in the past year. appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
September 10, 2019 – San Diego, CA.  While doing internet searches on the current church sex abuse scandals we were happy to find Bishop-Accountability.org.  This website is a powerful tool for exposing the names of Catholic priests and Bishops who have been either charged or investigated for sexual abuse crimes on children or adults.

Bishop-Accountability.org has been tracking abusive clergy starting as early as 2002 during the Boston Catholic Church scandal.  Our mission is help victims who are pursuing their legal rights after being sexually violated at the hands of Catholic Deacons, priests and fathers.

In the next few days we will be re-telling the horror stories of survivors of clergy sex abuse, keep in mind that many of these stories may have sensitive or adult language.

Here is the List: Every abusive Catholic Church priest, clergy member named in every state in past year.

Alabama

Diocese of Birmingham 

  • Charles V. Cross
  • John J. Ventura
  • Charles Bordenca
  • Kevin Cooke
  • Jonathan Franklin
  • Roger Lott

Diocese of Mobile 

  • Susai Arul
  • Nicholas Vic Bendillo
  • Joseph Brown
  • Thomas J Cullen
  • Vernon Dahmen
  • Timothy Evans
  • Gregory Furjanic
  • Joseph Gill
  • Robert Grabowski
  • John Hardman
  • James A. Havens
  • Timothy Keppel
  • Anthony Kiel
  • Cordell Lang
  • Edward Lawler
  • Edward A. Leary
  • Ralph McGarry
  • Gerald McMahon
  • Robert Michele
  • Patrick J. L. Nicholson
  • Robert L. Nouwen
  • Norman Rogge
  • John Rutledge
  • Barry Ryan
  • Arthur C. Schrenger
  • John Alex Sherlock
  • Edward Eugene Smith
  • John J. Walton
  • Nelson Ziter

Alaska

Named by Jesuits West 

  • Rene Astruc
  • Joseph Balfe
  • Charles Bartles
  • Robert Benish
  • Jules Convert
  • Robert Corrigal
  • Norman Donohue
  • George Endal
  • Andras Eordogh
  • Francis Fallert
  • Francis Fox
  • John Fox
  • Harold Greif
  • Henry Hargreaves
  • James Jacobson
  • Ignatius Jakes
  • Paul Linssen
  • Segundo Llorente
  • Richard McCaffery
  • William McIntyre
  • Bernard McMeel
  • Gabriel Menager
  • Cornelius Murphy
  • Francis Nawn
  • Paul O’Connor
  • Patrick O’Reilly
  • James Poole
  • Charles Saalfeld
  • Vincent Scott Arnold Custer
  • Patrick Savage
  • Frederick Simoneau
  • Joseph Obersinner

Arizona

Named by Jesuits West

  • Solomon Bandiho
  • George V. Bredemann
  • Joseph Cervantez Briceno
  • Patrick J. Colleary
  • Laurence (Lawrence) Florez
  • Dale J. Fushek
  • John Maurice Giandelone
  • Charles Gielow
  • Harold P. Graf
  • Joseph John Henn
  • Jose Hurtado
  • Karl LeClaire
  • Sung Lam
  • Mark Allen Lehman
  • Joseph Marcel Lessard
  • Jorge Ortiz Lopez
  • Saul Madrid
  • Michael Minogue
  • Harry R. Morgan
  • Thomas J. (Bishop) O’Brien
  • Maxwell “Ron” Pelton
  • Henry Perez
  • James S. Rausch
  • Marcel Salinas
  • Wilputte Alanson ‘Lan’ Sherwood
  • John D. “Jack” Spaulding
  • Richard Allen Suttle
  • Kenneth A. Van de Ven
  • John Willliam Vovko

Arkansas

Diocese of Little Rock

  • Donald Althoff
  • Joseph Correnti
  • Robert Dagwell
  • Nicholas Fuhrmann
  • John McDaniel
  • Anthony McKay
  • Edward Mooney
  • Timothy Sugrue
  • Robert A. Torres

 

California (has it’s own page here)

Colorado

Capuchin Franciscans 

  • Gregory Beyer
  • Bennett Colucci
  • Ron Gilardi
  • David Gottschalk
  • Matthew Gross
  • Julian Haas
  • David Jones
  • Finian Meis
  • Thaddeus Posey
  • Benignus Scarry
  • Daniel Schartz
  • Felix Shinsky
  • Charles Wolfe

Connecticut

The Diocese of Bridgeport

  • Kieran T. Ahearn
  • Henry A. Albeke
  • Jose Daniel Alberran
  • Stanley Banaszek
  • Alfred J. Bietighofer
  • Laurence F. X. Brett
  • Charles T. Carr
  • John Castaldo
  • Phillip Coleman
  • Jean Marie DeGraff
  • Joseph DeShan
  • Stephen J. DeLuca
  • William Donovan
  • John Draper
  • Martin J. Federici
  • William Fletcher
  • William A. Genuario
  • James Gildea
  • Joseph H. Gorecki
  • Richard J. Grady
  • James A. Gay
  • Sherman Gray
  • Martin Hitchcock
  • Stanley Koziol
  • Bartholomew Laurello
  • Joseph Malloy
  • James McCormick
  • Albert McGoldrick
  • Francis McKenna
  • L. Luke Meunier
  • Joseph P. Moore
  • Robert Morrissey
  •  William R. Nagle
  • Gavin O’Connor
  • Raymond S. Pcolka
  • Boleslaus “Bill” Rarus
  • Martin Ryan
  • Gregory M. Smith
  • Paul Spodnick
  • John Stronkowski
  • Charles W. Stubbs
  • Vincent Veich
  • Frank Wissel

Archdiocese of Hartford

  • Gregory Altermatt
  • Joseph Buckley
  • Stephen Bzdrya
  • Hebert Clarkin
  • Stephen Crowley
  • Robert Doyle
  • Ivan Ferguson
  • Stephen C. Foley
  • Thomas Glynn
  • Paul Gotta
  • John Graham
  • Philip Hussey
  • Edward Hyland
  • Joseph Lacy
  • Robert Ladamus
  • Felix Maguire
  • Terry Manspeaker
  • Richard McGann
  • Daniel McSheffery
  • L. Luke Meunier
  • Peter Mitchell
  • Edward Muha
  • Howard Nash
  • John O’Connor
  • Louis Paturzo
  • Raymond Paul
  • Arthur Perrault
  • William Przybylo
  • George Raffaeta
  • Edward Reardon
  • Adolph Renkiewicz
  • Joseph Rozint
  • Robert Shea
  • Kenneth Shiner
  • Edward Tissera
  • Felix Werpechowski
  • Peter Zizka

Diocese of Norwich

  • Robert W. Barnes
  • Bernard W. Bissonnette
  • Richard T. Buongirno
  • Salvatore L. Busca
  • Dennis G. Carey
  • Anthony R. Caron
  • Santino A. Casimano
  • Roger M. Comtois
  • William J. Cullen
  • James A. Curry
  • John F. Dority
  • Thomas J. Doyle
  • Edward F. Frigault
  • Denis Galipeau
  • Roman S. Gromala
  • Paul L. Hebert
  • Raymond J. Jean
  • Stephen Johnson
  • John A. Kozon
  • Michael Krol
  • Charles Many
  • Vincent F. Marino
  • R. Thomas McConaghy
  • Edward P. McGrath
  • Frank McManus
  • Joseph P. Murphy
  • John C. Nash
  • Eugene Orteneau
  • J. Lawrence Ouimet
  • Joseph Owens
  • Thomas Pachal
  • Robert Leo Pelkington
  • Paul Pinard
  • Bruno Primavera
  • John B. Ramsay
  • Thomas W. Shea
  • George St. Jean
  • Patrick Sullivan
  • Felix Werpechowski

Jesuits at Fairfield Prep and Fairfield University

  • William B. Cahill
  • Robert Cornigans
  • William Cullen
  • Joseph Dooley
  • Francis Ennis
  • Joseph Laughlin
  • George McCabe
  • Philip Moriarity
  • Eugene O’Brien
  • Lee Pollard
  • Edmund Power
  • James Pratt
  • James T. Sheehan

District of Columbia

Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.

  • Francis A. Benham
  • Salvatore F. Bucca
  • Raymond C. Callahan
  • C. Thomas Chleboski
  • Aaron J. Cote
  • Joseph B. Coyne
  • Russell Lowell Dillard
  • R. Joseph Dooley
  • John W. Eccleston
  • James A. Finan
  • Roger P. Gallagher
  • Edward T. Hartel
  • William E. Krouse
  • James V. Lannon
  • Paul E. Lavin
  • Thomas W. Lyons
  • Peter M. McCutcheon
  • Arthur J. O’Brien
  • Robert J. Petrella
  • James J. Powderly
  • Edward B. Pritchard
  • Walter Dayton Salisbury
  • Thomas S. Schaefer
  • James A. Scott
  • Timothy F. Slevin
  • Alphonsus M. Smith
  • Dan P. Stallings
  • William M. Stock
  • Ronald J. Tully
  • Paul T. Twiddy
  • Urbano Vazquez
  • Miguel Umana Zelaya

Florida

Diocese of St. Petersburg

  • Richard Allen
  • Norman Balthazar
  • Rocco D’Angelo
  • William Lau
  • Hubert Reason
  • Michael Rhodes
  • James Russo
  • Robert Schaeufele
  • Keith Symons

Georgia

Archdiocese of Atlanta

  • Charles Arnold Bartles
  • Clarence Biggers
  • Jacob Bollmer
  • Richard Roy Boucher
  • Sergio Mauricio Calle Perez
  • Kenneth Joseph Cassity
  • Charles G. Coyle
  • Jorge Cristancho
  • John Dowling
  • John Douglas Edwards
  • Philip Gage
  • Eugene Gavigan
  • Raymond Horan
  • Stanley Dominic Idziak
  • Michael Kolodziej
  • Vincent Malatesta
  • Leonard Francis Xavier Mayhew
  • Rene Maynard
  • Anton Mowat
  • Thomas Naughton
  • Joseph William Paulantonio
  • Robert Poandl
  • Louis P. Rogge

Diocese of Savannah

  • Wayland Brown
  • Joseph Dean
  • Adolph Gail
  • Lorenzo Garcia
  • Eugene Gavigan
  • James Harold
  • Bartholomew Keophane
  • Austin Martin
  • Robert Murphy
  • S. John Murray
  • Michael O’Sullivan
  • Robert Poandl
  • Nicholas Quinlan
  • Joseph Reilly
  • Joseph Smith
  • Robert Teoli

Illinois

Diocese of Belleville

  • Edward Balestrieri
  • James R. Calhoun
  • Robert Chlopecki
  • David G. Crook
  • Gerald R. Hechenberger
  • Edwin G. Kastner
  • Raymond Kownacki
  • Eugene G. Linnemann
  • Walter E. MacPherson
  • Louis Peterson
  • Jerome Ratermann
  • William Rensing
  • Alan Ruppert
  • Joseph R. Schwaegel
  • Gary Sebescak
  • Francis Theis
  • Robert Vonnahmen

Archdiocese of Chicago

  • Kenneth Brigham
  • Thomas Cannon
  • Jeremiah Duggan
  • John D. Fitzgerald
  • Juan Francisco Hinojosa
  • Thomas Barry Horne
  • John Jordan
  • George Klein
  • Patrick Lee
  • Robert Lutz
  • Thomas Mohan
  • Octavio Munoz-Capetillo
  • Michael O’Connell
  • Thomas O’Gorman
  • Patrick O’Leary
  • Paul O’Toole
  • Emmanuel Pallikunnen
  • Emmet Regan
  • Richard Skriba
  • Howard Sturm
  • James Voss
  • Joseph Wilk

Diocese of Rockford

  • James Campbell
  • Mark A. Campobello
  • Harlan B. Clapsaddle
  • Thomas Considine
  • Theodore Feely
  • Michael Frazier
  • John C. Holdren
  • William I. Joffe
  • Walter E. Johnson
  • Augustine K. Jones
  • Peter D. Kohler
  • Richard Kuhl
  • Joseph M. Lessard
  • Joseph J.M. Tully
  • William D. Virtue

Diocese of Springfield

  • Alvin Campbell
  • Joseph Cernich
  • Eugene Costa
  • Robert DeGrand
  • Robert Dodd
  • Michael Driscoll
  • Robert Eagear
  • George Faller
  • Ray Franzen
  • Joseph Havey
  • George Kromenaker
  • Garrett Neal Dee
  • Joseph Cullen O’Brien
  • Frank O’Hara
  • James Patrick O’Hara
  • Daniel Ryan
  • Aloysius Schwellenbach
  • Louis C. Shea
  • Francis Tebangura
  • Walter Weerts
  • Frank Westhoff

End of page 1 for Abusive Catholic Priest list.  Updated on 9/12/2019

Click here for Page 2.

The post List: Every abusive Catholic Church priest, clergy member named in every state in the past year. appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/personal-injury-law/list-abusive-catholic-church-priest-clergy-member-names/feed/ 0
What AB5 Means for Strip Clubs & Strippers if Passed in California. https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/category-one/what-ab5-means-for-strip-clubs-strippers-if-passed-in-california/ https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/category-one/what-ab5-means-for-strip-clubs-strippers-if-passed-in-california/#respond Thu, 29 Aug 2019 17:23:36 +0000 https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/?p=39614 August 29, 2019 – San Diego, CA. — News headlines on California’s pending legislation bill AB5 has many people in the gig-economy talking about this controversial bill, mostly Uber, Lyft and GrubHub drivers, however there is another large industry that will be affected by this bill, gentlemen’s clubs and strip clubs. This California state law [&hellip

The post What AB5 Means for Strip Clubs & Strippers if Passed in California. appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
August 29, 2019 – San Diego, CA. — News headlines on California’s pending legislation bill AB5 has many people in the gig-economy talking about this controversial bill, mostly Uber, Lyft and GrubHub drivers, however there is another large industry that will be affected by this bill, gentlemen’s clubs and strip clubs.

This California state law proposes and defines how to classify workers as either independent contractors or employees could lead to economic chaos according to some legal experts. This bill was introduced by Assembly Member Gonzalez of San Diego, CA.

AB5 would transform an estimated 2 million workers from independent contractors to employees.

What does AB5 do?

AB5 is based on the California Supreme Court’s Dynamex decision, which means a so-called “ABC” test will be used to determine if a person is an independent contractor or not. To keep someone as such, an employer must prove that the person is:

  • free from company control;
  • performs work not central to the company’s business; and
  • has an independent business in their industry.

If they employer meets all three of those parameters, the worker can be classified as an independent contractor. That’s a very tough test, which, experts says, most “gig”-economy employers will not pass.

Here is the excerpt from the actual bill’s overview, link source below.

An act to amend Section 7500.2 of the Business and Professions Code, to amend Section 3351 of, and to add Section 2750.3 to, the Labor Code, and to amend Section 621.5 of the Unemployment Insurance Code, relating to employment, and making an appropriation therefor.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

Existing law, as established in the case of Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court of Los Angeles (2018) 4 Cal.5th 903 (Dynamex), creates a presumption that a worker who performs services for a hirer is an employee for purposes of claims for wages and benefits arising under wage orders issued by the Industrial Welfare Commission. Existing law requires a 3-part test, commonly known as the “ABC” test, to establish that a worker is an independent contractor for those purposes.

Existing law, for purposes of unemployment insurance provisions, requires employers to make contributions with respect to unemployment insurance and disability insurance from the wages paid to their employees. Existing law defines “employee” for those purposes to include, among other individuals, any officer of a corporation, and any individual who, under the usual common law rules applicable in determining the employer-employee relationship, has the status of an employee. employee, or is an employee of a person who holds or is required to obtain a valid state contractor’s license.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to codify the decision in the Dynamex case and clarify its application. The bill would provide that the factors of the “ABC” test be applied in order to determine the status of a worker as an employee or independent contractor for all provisions of the Labor Code and the Unemployment Insurance Code, unless another definition or specification of “employee” is provided. except if a statutory exemption from employment status or from a particular obligation related to employment or where a statutory grant of employment status or a particular right related to employment applies. The bill would exempt specified professions from these provisions and instead provide that the employment relationship test for those professions shall be governed by the test adopted in S. G. Borello & Sons, Inc. v. Department of Industrial Relations (1989) 48 Cal.3d 341 if certain requirements are met. These exempt professions would include, among others, licensed insurance agents, certain licensed health care professionals, registered securities broker-dealers or investment advisers, a direct sales salesperson, salespersons, real estate licensees, workers providing hairstyling or barbering services, electrologists, estheticians, workers providing natural hair braiding, licensed repossession agencies who meet requirements described below, and those performing work under a contract for professional services. The bill would require the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology to promulgate regulations for the development of a booth rental permit and a reasonable biennial fee upon workers providing specified hairstyling or barbering services, by no later than July 1, 2021. services, with another business entity, or pursuant to a subcontract in the construction industry.

This bill would also expand the definition of employee, for purposes of unemployment insurance provisions, to include individuals who are defined as employees pursuant to the above-described provision of the Labor Code codifying the “ABC” test. Because this bill would expand increase the categories of individuals eligible to receive benefits from, and thus would result in additional moneys being deposited into, the Unemployment Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, the bill would make an appropriation. The bill would state that addition of the provision to the Labor Code does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law with regard to violations of the Labor Code relating to wage orders of the Industrial Welfare Commission.

Existing provisions of the Labor Code make it a crime for an employer to violate specified provisions of law with regard to an employee. The Unemployment Insurance Code also makes it a crime to violate specified provisions of law with regard to benefits and payments.

By expanding the definition of an employee for purposes of these provisions, the bill would expand the definition of a crime. crime, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program.

Existing law, the Collateral Recovery Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of repossession agencies by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. Existing law defines a repossession agency to include any person who engages in the business or accepts employment to locate or recover collateral. Existing law permits a licensed repossession agency to only transact business with another person or entity as an independent contractor.

This bill, to ensure that independent contractor status is met, would require the repossession agency to be both free from the control and direction of the hiring person or entity, as specified, and perform work that is outside the usual course of the hiring person or entity’s business.

Are strippers, topless dancers or exotic dancers an “employee” or “independent contractor”?

Many clubs today will often seek to categorize the dancers as “independent contractors” rather than employees.  This tactic allows these clubs to avoid following the rules set by the Fair Labor Standards Act, known as FLSA laws.

However, gentlemen’s clubs or stripper bars can’t just state that a dancer is an independent contractor and make it true – certain legal requirements must be met; otherwise, the dancer is actually an employee.  We understand the FLSA laws in every state, and strip club owners and operators must adhere to these laws. Read more on Strip Club misclassification lawsuits here.

Exotic Dancers and Strippers Unite to Fight Unfair Club Practices.

Many women in the exotic dancing industry are learning about their rights in working for strip clubs.  The movement seems to have started in New York City and has spurred the hash tags #NYCStripperStrike and #Stripperpride.

While researching data for this page we found a remarkable story of one New York City based dancer on Huffington Post.  

She details the way it works in these strip clubs and tells accounts of “brutal transactions and crude discriminatory policies”.  Full story here: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/nyc-stripper-strike_us_5a73880fe4b01ce33eb11c88

Other stories of dancers being abused were highlighted in one of our blog posts here. https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/category-one/dancer-abuse-strip-clubs/

Exotic Dancers & Strippers Have Rights under AB5!

If you are, or were an exotic or topless or full nude dancer and have experienced unfair pay we can help you regain your dignity and pay that may have been taken illegally from you. You have rights to sue the club’s owner(s) or corporation.

The first step in joining the Stripper individual employment lawsuit is to simply call us at 1-800-214-1010, or use the contact form on this page.  The lawyers and attorneys at National Injury Help are ready to file these claims. Take action now and protect your rights!

Sources:

https://www.billtrack50.com/BillDetail/996562

http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB5

The post What AB5 Means for Strip Clubs & Strippers if Passed in California. appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/category-one/what-ab5-means-for-strip-clubs-strippers-if-passed-in-california/feed/ 0
Are Priests and Churches Protected by statutes of limitations for child sex abuse crimes? https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/personal-injury-law/priests-churches-statutes-limitations-child-sex-abuse/ https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/personal-injury-law/priests-churches-statutes-limitations-child-sex-abuse/#respond Wed, 14 Aug 2019 18:10:20 +0000 https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/?p=39585 In a growing national epidemic of clergy abuse highlighted by news headlines almost every day, we have to examine the laws that apply to child sex abuse. Nearly all sex abuse crimes are felonies. Felonies carry a much higher level of penalties than misdemeanors, it doesn’t matter if you are a priest, father, clergy member, [&hellip

The post Are Priests and Churches Protected by statutes of limitations for child sex abuse crimes? appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
In a growing national epidemic of clergy abuse highlighted by news headlines almost every day, we have to examine the laws that apply to child sex abuse.

Nearly all sex abuse crimes are felonies. Felonies carry a much higher level of penalties than misdemeanors, it doesn’t matter if you are a priest, father, clergy member, nun or sister all will face the laws according to the state where the abuse happened.

Different states have different laws covering sex abuse and many times the statutes of limitations (SOL) must be met also vary.  Some states require the victim to report the crime to law enforcement for the statute of limitations “clock” to begin running.  So for these states, when a victim doesn’t report the crime within a certain time frame, the state will shorten or restrict the statute of limitations.  The state is determined based on where the abuse occurred, not where the victim currently lives.

What options does a clergy/priest sex abuse victim have legally?

When someone comes forth in a clergy sex abuse case the victim has two options. One, they can make a police report and seek criminal charges on the priest or two, sue in civil court for damages.

Some state laws have no statute of limitations for criminally prosecuting someone for having sexual contact or intercourse with a minor under the age of 13.  For a sexual assault against a minor under the age of 16, the alleged crime can be prosecuted until the victim reaches the age of 45. statutes of limitations for child sex abuse

Now we are seeing changes being applied to state laws that will increase the age of victim to 55 years old and younger, these states include New York, New Jersey, California and Pennsylvania.

The states that should follow suit in setting victims age to 55 or younger are; Illinois, Minnesota, District of Columbia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Hawaii, Maryland, Arizona, Montana and Vermont.

This is a welcome enhancement of the statute of limitations by these states, since more clergy abuse victims are coming out that are older.

State by State Guide on Statutes of Limitations for Clergy / Priest Sex Abuse

It’s interesting to see how the various states deal with statute of limitations on sex crimes, some are much more harsh then others. It can be a bit complicated to absorb all of these laws in one post, however the following is a helpful summation of the current state laws.

We will update this chart as states update their sex crimes statute of limitations, so be sure to book mark this post.

Statutes of Limitation
States Citation Extended SOL Summary
Alabama Ala. Code § 6-2-38 Alabama has no special statute of limitations. The Alabama Supreme Court has refused to adopt a discovery rule or any provision to repressed memory claims. Claims must be brought within two years of the date of the injury under Alabama Code § 6-2-38.
Alaska Alaska Stat. § 09.10.060.
Alaska Stat. § 09.10.140.
Alaska Stat. § 09.10.065.
Alaska has no statute of limitations for felony sexual abuse. However, under AS 09.10.065, a person may bring an action at any time for felony sexual abuse of a minor, or felony sexual assault. Also, Alaska has a delayed discovery/realization statute. AS § 09.10.140. Discovery is defined as when “the plaintiff discovered or through use of reasonable diligence should have discovered that the act caused the injury or condition.”.
Arizona Yes, Minority Tolling Arizona does not have a special statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse. However, in certain cases, it has applied it statutory minority and disability “unsound mind” (Arizona Statutes § 12-502) tolling provisions to the general tort statute (Arizona Statutes § 12-542) of limitations.
Arkansas Ark. Stat. Ann. § 16-56-130(a). Yes Arkansas civil claims must be filed within three years of the discovery of childhood sexual abuse.
California Ca. Civ. Penal Code 803 (4) (A)
Ca. Civ. Proc. Code § 340.1
Yes SB 813, Leyva. Sex offenses: statute of limitations.

Existing law generally requires that the prosecution of a felony sex offense be commenced within 10 years after the commission of the offense. Under existing law, prosecution for the crimes of rape, sodomy, lewd or lascivious acts, continuous sexual abuse of a child, oral copulation, and sexual penetration, if committed against a victim who was under 18 years of age, may be commenced at any time prior to the victim’s 40th birthday. Existing law allows prosecution of an offense punishable by death or by imprisonment for life or for life without the possibility of parole, or for the embezzlement of public money, to be commenced at any time.

 

This bill would allow the prosecution of rape, sodomy, lewd or lascivious acts, continuous sexual abuse of a child, oral copulation, and sexual penetration, that are committed under certain circumstances, as specified, to be commenced at any time. The bill would apply to these crimes committed after Jan. 1, 2017, and to crimes for which the statute of limitations that was in effect prior to Jan. 1, 2017, has not run as of Jan. 1, 2017.
This bill would incorporate changes to Section 803 of the Penal Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1088, which would become operative only if both bills are enacted and become effective on or before Jan. 1, 2017, and this bill is chaptered last.

 

SEC. 3. Section 803 of the Penal Code is amended to read: (4) (A) In a criminal investigation involving any of the crimes listed in paragraph (1) committed against a child, when the applicable limitations period has not expired, that period shall be tolled from the time a party initiates litigation challenging a grand jury subpoena until the end of the litigation, including any associated writ or appellate proceeding, or until the final disclosure of evidence to the investigating or prosecuting agency, if that disclosure is ordered pursuant to the subpoena after the litigation.

Civ. Proc. Code 340.1 Effective Jan. 1, 2003. The new law provides that actions for the recovery of damages suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse may be commenced on or after the victim’s 26th birthday if the person or entity against whom the action is commenced knew, had reason to know, or was otherwise on notice, of any unlawful sexual conduct by an employee, volunteer, representative, or agent, and failed to take reasonable steps, and implement reasonable safeguards, to avoid future acts of unlawful sexual conduct. Additionally, under certain circumstances, a cause of action solely for those claims listed above may be revived for a period of one (1) year. All California victims, regardless of age, have one (1) year from Jan. 1, 2003, within which to bring a civil suit.

Colorado Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 16-5-401 Yes Concerning extending the Criminal Statute of Limitations for sexual assault to 20 years.

(a.7) (I) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (a) OF SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION PERTAINING TO SEX OFFENSES AGAINST CHILDREN AND EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPHS (a.3) AND (a.5) OF THIS SUBSECTION (8), THE PERIOD OF TIME DURING WHICH AN ADULT PERSON OR JUVENILE MAY BE PROSECUTED SHALL BE TWENTY YEARS AFTER THE COMMISSION OF THE OFFENSE OR DELINQUENT ACT AS TO ANY OFFENSE OR DELINQUENT ACT CHARGED AS A FELONY UNDER SECTION 18-3-402,C.R.S., OR AS CRIMINAL ATTEMPT, CONSPIRACY, OR SOLICITATION TO COMMIT A FELONY UNDER SECTION 18-3-402, C.R.S.

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577d Yes Connecticut has no common law discovery provision. The existing special statute allows action within 30 years from the date the victim reached the “age of majority.”
Delaware Del. Code tit. 10, § 8145

 

Del. Code tit. 10, § 8119

Yes Claims must be brought within 2 years from the date of the injury.

Sb 29 (§8145) was introduced on Jan. 25, 2007. It is an act to amend title 10 of the Delaware Code by removing the statute of limitations for civil suits relating to child sexual abuse and adding related provisions regarding such suits. The bill, now chapter 102, was signed by the Governor July 10, 2007.

District of Columbia D.C. Code § 12-301
D.C. Code § 12-302 (a)(1)
Yes Claims must be brought within three years “from the time the right to maintain the action accrues.” If the victim is a minor when the injury occurs, he or she may bring the action within three years of his or her 18th birthday.
Florida Fla. Stat. § 95.11(7)

 

House Bill 133, Chapter 2015-133

s. 775.15 Time limitations; general time limitations; exceptions.

 Yes Claims founded on alleged abuse, or incest, may be commenced at any time within seven years after the age of majority, or within four years after the injured person leaves the dependency of the abuser, or within four years from the time of discovery by the injured party of both the injury and the causal relationship between the injury and the abuse, whichever occurs later. “For intentional torts based on abuse.”

The bill provides that the act may be cited as the “43 Days Initiative Act.” It amends the statute of limitation law, s. 775.15, F.S., by extending the current statute of limitation time period for a first or second-degree felony sexual battery when the victim is 16 years of age or older and does not report the crime within 72 hours. The bill provides a statute of limitation of 8 years for these offenses instead of the previous 3 or 4 year time period. Under the bill, if a 16-year-old or older victim of second-degree felony sexual battery or an 18-year-old or older victim of first-degree felony sexual battery report the crime within 72 hours, current law is applicable and there is no time limitation for bringing a prosecution. The bill applies to any such offense except one already time-barred on or before July 1, 2015, meaning it applies retroactively to previously committed offenses as long as the statute of limitation has not run on these offenses prior to July 1, 2015.

Georgia Ga. Code § 9-3-33.1

 

2015 House Bill 17, Act 97

Chapter 3 of Title 9 and Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 49

 Yes § 17-3-2.2.  Statute of limitations—In addition to any periods excluded pursuant to Code Section 17-3-2, if the victim is a person who is 65 years of age or older, the applicable period within which a prosecution must be commenced under Code Section 17-3-1 or other applicable statute shall not begin to run until the violation is reported to or discovered by a law enforcement agency, prosecuting attorney, or other governmental agency, whichever occurs earlier. Such law enforcement agency or other governmental agency shall promptly report such allegation to the appropriate prosecuting attorney. Except for prosecutions for crimes for which the law provides a statute of limitations longer than 15 years, prosecution shall not commence more than 15 years after the commission of the crime.

(I) Part 2 of Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 16. 64 (2) Notwithstanding Code Section 9-3-33, any civil action for recovery of damages suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse committed on or after July 1, 2015, shall be commenced on or before the date the plaintiff attains the age of 53. (d)(1) It is the express intent of the General Assembly that for a period of two years following July 1, 2015, plaintiffs of any age who were time-barred from filing a civil  action for injuries resulting from childhood sexual abuse due to the expiration of the statute of limitations in effect on June 30, 2015, shall be permitted to file such actions  before July 1, 2017, thereby reviving those civil actions which had lapsed or technically expired under the law in effect on June 30, 2015.

Relates to limitations of actions and child abuse and deprivation records, respectively, so as to extend the statute of limitations for actions for childhood sexual abuse; to provide for a short title; to provide for limitations of liability for certain legal entities; to change provisions relating to tolling of limitations for a minor’s cause of action; to change provisions relating to the tolling of limitations for tort actions while criminal prosecution is pending; to change provisions relating to the confidentiality and use of certain records; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Guam 2011 Guam Public Law 33-31 Abolishes altogether the statute of limitations for the criminal prosecution of perpetrators of sex crimes against children.
Hawaii Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 657-7 Yes, Minority Tolling General limitations period for injuries is two years.
Idaho Idaho Code § 6-1704 Yes Suit may be brought within five years of the victim reaching the age of majority. The statute is only applicable to cases arising after its effective date, July 1, 1989.
Illinois Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 735, § 13–202.2(b)  Yes Illinois has a special statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. As amended in 2003, Illinois Statutes § 13–202.2(b) provides: An action for damages for personal injury based on childhood sexual abuse must be commenced within 10 years of the date the victim discovers that the act of childhood sexual abuse occurred and that the injury was caused by the childhood sexual abuse.
Indiana Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4 

 

2015 Senate Bill 94, Act 94

Yes General statute of limitations requires that any action for injuries to the person must be filed within two years of the time when the cause of action accrues, but before the child becomes 31 years of age. §§ 34-10-2-5 prohibits suits based on injuries that transpire in childhood unless brought within two years of the child reaching 18.

Provides that a rape charge otherwise barred by the statute of limitations may be brought within five years of the time that: (1) the state first discovers DNA evidence sufficient to charge the offender; (2) the state first becomes aware of the existence of a recording that provides evidence sufficient to charge the offender; or (3) a person confesses to the offense.

Iowa Iowa Code § 614.8A  Yes Pursuant to Iowa statutory law and case law, victims must commence their lawsuits within four years of the discovery of an. Iowa Code Ann. §§ 614.8A which apply to all cases in which injury occurred after July 1, 1990.
Kansas Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-523  Yes The abused have three years from the age of 18 or three years from the date the victim realizes they have suffered an injury or illness caused by sexual abuse. The statute is expressly retroactive.
Kentucky Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.249  Yes Civil actions for sexual abuse may be brought within five years of the last act of abuse, or within five years of the date, the victim’s discovery of the abuse or within five years after the victim reaches the age of 18.
Louisiana La. Rev. Stat. § 9:2800.9.  Yes §2800.9. Action against a person for abuse of a minor. A. An action against a person for sexual abuse of a minor, or for physical abuse of a minor resulting in permanent impairment or permanent physical injury or scarring, is subject to a liberative prescriptive period of 10 years. This prescription commences to run from the day the minor attains majority, and this prescription shall be suspended for all purposes until the minor reaches the age of majority.  Abuse has the same meaning as provided in Louisiana Children’s Code Article 603.  This prescriptive period shall be subject to any exception of preemption provided by law.

General discovery rule provides suit must be brought one year from date of discovery.

Maine Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 14, § 752-C Yes-Anytime Civil or criminal actions may be brought at any time.
Maryland Md. Cts. and Jud. Proc. § 5-117 Extending the statute of limitations for civil child sexual abuse actions to 7 years after the date that the victim attains the age of majority.
Massachusetts Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 4C  Yes Section 4C. Actions of tort alleging the defendant sexually abused a minor shall be commenced within 35 years of the acts alleged to have caused an injury or condition or within seven years of the time the victim discovered or reasonably should have discovered that an emotional or psychological injury or condition was caused by said act, whichever period expires later; provided, however, that the time limit for commencement of an action under this section is tolled for a child until the child reaches eighteen years of age.
Michigan None. No special statute. The general personal injury statute, § 600.5805 governs actions for childhood sexual abuse. Sec. 5805. (1) A person shall not bring or maintain an action to recover damages for injuries to persons or property unless, after the claim first accrued to the plaintiff or to someone through whom the plaintiff claims, the action is commenced within the periods of time prescribed by this section.
Minnesota Minn. Stat. Ann. § 541.073   Yes Action for damages based on personal injury caused by sexual abuse must originate within six years of the time the plaintiff knew or had reason to know that the injury was caused by sexual abuse.” If the victim is a minor, the six-year limitations begin to run one year after the plaintiff reaches 18 and would terminate at age 25.
Minnesota Minn. Stat. Ann. § 541.073 Yes An action for damages based on sexual abuse: (1) must be commenced within six years of the alleged sexual abuse in the case of alleged sexual abuse of an individual 18 years or older; (2) may be commenced at any time in the case of alleged sexual abuse of an individual under the age of 18, except as provided for in subdivision 4; and (3) must be commenced before the plaintiff is 24 years of age in a claim against a natural person alleged to have sexually abused a minor when that natural person was under 14 years of age.

Subd. 4. Vicarious liability or respondent superior claims. A claim for vicarious liability or liability under the doctrine of respondeat superior must be commenced within six years of the alleged sexual abuse, provided that if the plaintiff was under the age of 18 at the time of the alleged abuse, the claim must be commenced before the plaintiff is 24 years of age. This subdivision does not limit the availability of these claims under other law.

Subd. 5. Title. “Child Victims Act.” (a) This section is effective the day following final enactment. Except as provided in paragraph (b), this section applies to actions that were not time-barred before the effective date. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the case of alleged sexual abuse of an individual under the age of 18, if the action would otherwise be time-barred under a previous version of Minnesota Statutes, section 541.073, or other time limits, an action for damages against a person, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 541.073, subdivision, clause (2), may be commenced no later than three years following the effective date of this section. This paragraph does not apply to a claim for vicarious liability or respondent superior but does apply to other claims, including negligence. This paragraph applies to actions pending on or commenced on or after the effective date.

Mississippi Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49

Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-59

Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-57

Mississippi victims must file their claims: within 3 years of the act constituting sexual abuse under § 15-1-49 within three years of attaining the age of majority under the “minor savings statute” under § 15-1-59, and within 3 years of the victim’s release from imprisonment under § 15-1-57.

The court has declined to apply the discovery statute to cases of delayed realization of the connection between the abuse and the victim’s psychological injury; however, the issue has not been presented in the context of extensive memory repression. The standards for proving fraudulent concealment of a claim are so high as to be impracticable.

Missouri Mo. Rev. Stat. § 537.046 Yes Civil claims must be filed either within 5 years of the time the victim reaches age 18 or within 3 years from the date the victim discovers that physical or psychological injury was caused by abuse.
Montana Mont. Code § 27-2-216(a)  Yes Claim may bring three years after the act of childhood sexual abuse that is alleged to have caused the injury, or 3 years after the time of discovery or reasonably should have discovered that the injury was caused by the act of childhood sexual abuse.
Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207 None. There is no special statute of limitations for victims of child sexual abuse. Nebraska victims must file their cases as follows:

Within four years of the acts constituting abuse under the general tort SOL. (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207); The statute of limitations is suspended for victims who were abused as minors until they reach the age of 21 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-213), therefore, victims have the period of four years from attaining the age of 21 in which to institute legal action.

Nevada Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.215 Yes Civil claims within 10 years of age 18, or within 10 years of discovery that injury was caused by the abuse. No outside time limitation as long as clear and convincing evidence exists that the abuse occurred.
New Hampshire N.H. Rev. Stat. § 508:4-9  Yes A person, alleging to have been subjected to any offense under RSA 632-A, or an offense under RSA 639:2, who were under 18 years of age when the alleged offense occurred, may commence a personal action based on the incident within the later of:
I. Twelve years of the person’s eighteenth birthday; or
II. Three years of the time the plaintiff discovers, or in the exercise of reasonable diligence should have discovered, the injury and its causal relationship to the act or omission complained of.
New Jersey N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:61B-1   Yes Actions can be initiated within two years of the date of the “reasonable discovery” of the “injury and its causal relationship to the act of sexual abuse.”
New Mexico N.M. Code § 37-1-30  Yes Action can be initiated by the victim’s 24th birthday, or three years from the date of discovery of abuse, or had reason to know of the childhood sexual abuse and that the abuse resulted in injury.
New York N.Y. Civil Prac. Law § 215

N.Y. Civil Prac. Law § 214

N.Y. Civil Prac. Law §213-c

Yes In New York, there is no extended statute of limitations for sexual abuse; however, if the abuse is treated as an intentional tort, New York’s SOL is one year. N.Y. Civil Prac. Law § 215. If the victim brings a claim against a church or school which administered the perpetrator, or any action that is based in negligence, rather than criminal behavior, the SOL is 3 years—N.Y. Civil Prac. Law § 214. New York adopted a special statute of limitations for victims of sexual crimes in 2006—N.Y. Civil Prac. Law §213-c. The statute provides that actions for civil damages for defined sexual crimes, including sexual abuse of a minor, may be brought within 5 years of the acts constituting the sexual offense.
North Carolina N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52(16)  Yes General discovery statute (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52(16)(1993) and general incompetence tolling provision (§ 1-17(a)(1993).
North Dakota N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-25.1

2015 SB 2331

28-01-25.1. Limitation on actions alleging childhood sexual abuse. Notwithstanding section 28-01-25, a claim for relief resulting from childhood sexual abuse must be commenced within ten years after the plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known that a potential claim exists resulting from alleged childhood sexual abuse. For purposes of this section, “childhood sexual abuse” means any act committed by the defendant against the plaintiff which occurred when the plaintiff was under 18 years of age and which would have been a violation of chapter 12.1-20 or 12.1-27.2. In a claim for relief under this section, the plaintiff is not required to establish which act in a continuous series of sexual abuse acts by the defendant caused the injury

SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Section 28-01-25.1 of the North Dakota Century Code is amended and reenacted as follows: 28-01-25.1. Limitation on actions alleging childhood sexual abuse. Notwithstanding section 28-01-25, there is no limitation of the time within which a claim for relief resulting from childhood sexual abuse must be commenced.

Ohio Ohio Code § 2305.111(c)  Yes Ohio’s Special Statute of Limitations for Childhood Sexual Abuse, Effective Aug. 3, 2006. The law gives victims 12 years from their age of majority to bring actions against their perpetrators.
Oklahoma Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95  Yes Action commenced two years of the last act, two years of age 18 or two years of discovery, through 20 years from age 18.
Oregon Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.117 Yes Claims must be brought within six years of age 18, or three years of discovery of the injury and the abuse.
Pennsylvania Pa. Cons. Stat. tit. 42 § 5533(b)  Yes, Minority Tolling Extended Statute of Limitations (SOL) Section 5533(b) (2) of Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to provide a SOL of 12 years from the date of a victim reaching his or her age of majority (18). The act also provides, however, that the amendment to 42 Pa.C.S. § 5533(b) shall not be applied to revive an action that has been barred by an existing statute of limitations on the effective date of the act.
Rhode Island R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-51  Yes Administer claims against non-perpetrators; actions must be brought within three years of accrual. Within seven years of the last act or discovery that the injury or illness was caused by the act.
South Carolina S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-555 Yes Extends the statute of limitations for civil claims six years after the person reaches 21 or three years from the time the victim realizes that their injuries are caused by child sexual abuse.
South Dakota S.D. Codified Laws § 26-10-25  Yes Within three years of the act or discovery that the injury was caused by the act.
Tennessee Tenn. Code 28-3-104 and 28-1-106  Yes, Minority Tolling There is no specific statute of limitations for survivors of sexual abuse. General one year SOL. General minority tolling statute suspending the claim until the plaintiff reaches 18 available. Suit must then be brought within one year.

Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-2-101, is amended by adding the following language as a new subsection: (m) Notwithstanding subsection (b), prosecutions for any offense committed on or after July 1, 2016, that constitutes the offense of aggravated child abuse, or aggravated child neglect or endangerment, under§ 39-15-402, shall commence by the later of: (1) Ten (10) years after the child reaches eighteen (18) years of age; or (2) The time within which prosecution must be commenced pursuant to subsection (b).

Texas Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.0045  Yes Fifteen-year statute of limitations for violation of Section 22.011, Penal Code sexual assault; or Section 22.021, Penal Code aggravated sexual assault. Majority tolling provision states that if the victim was a minor, the SOL does not begin to run until his/her 18th birthday.
Utah Utah Code § 78B-2-309

House Bill 2015-0277, Chapter 082

Yes Effective 3/23/2015 78B-2-308. Civil actions for sexual abuse of a child. Eliminates the statute of limitations for civil actions for child sexual abuse. Provides that a victim of child sexual abuse may file a civil action at any time.
Vermont Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 12, § 522  Yes Civil action brought by any person for injury suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse initiated within six years of the act, or six years of the time of discovery.
Virginia Va. Code § 8.01-243  Yes General statute of limitation for injuries to the victim is two years after the time of the injury. If the person at the time of the injury is a minor, the two-year time period will commence once that person comes of age.

D. Every action for injury to the person, whatever the theory of recovery, resulting from sexual abuse occurring during the infancy or incapacity of the person as set forth in subdivision 6 of § 8.01-249 shall be brought within 20 years after the cause of action accrues.

Washington Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.340  Yes Claims of action shall be commenced within three years of the act alleged to have caused the injury or condition; within three years of the time of discovery or reasonably should have discovered that the injury or condition was caused by abuse; or within three years of the time the victim discovered that the act caused the injury for which the claim is brought provided that the time limit for commencement of an action is tolled for a child until he/she reaches 18 years.
West Virginia W. Va. Code § 55-2-15  Yes The burden is on the victim to demonstrate that he/she was prevented from knowing of the claim at the time of the injury by reason of fraudulent concealment, inability to comprehend the injury, or other extreme hardship. Mere ignorance of existence of cause of action or of identity of wrongdoer does not prevent running of statute of limitations. Nor can the discovery rule be used to extend past the 20-year statute of repose.
Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 893.587  Yes Claim may be filed two years of reaching age of majority.
Wyoming Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105  Yes Action for childhood sexual abuse may be brought eight years after victims eighteenth birthday or three years after the time of discovery.

How to Report Sexual Abuse in your Church or Dioceses

If you suspect any form of sexual abuse in a church or your local dioceses, you may report them by calling us at 1-800-214-1010, all calls are handled with the utmost privacy.

If you are a clergy sexual abuse victim and need a support group we recommend the tremendous work done by The SNAP Network.  Please visit their website at: http://www.snapnetwork.org

Who is SNAP?  Here is their mission statement:

Today SNAP is the largest, oldest and most active self-help group for clergy sex abuse victims, whether assaulted by ministers, priests, nuns or rabbis. SNAP is a confidential, safe place for wounded men and women to be heard, supported and healed. SNAP works tirelessly to achieve two goals: to heal the wounded and to protect the vulnerable. The organization has more than 25,000 members and support groups meet in over 60 cities across the U.S. and the world.

Were you abused by a trusted church member, or know a victim?  Contact us by calling 1-800-214-1010 or use the secure contact form at the bottom of this page.  Take Action Now and help prevent more clerical abuse in churches and houses of worship.

Sources:

http://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/state-civil-statutes-of-limitations-in-child-sexua.aspx

https://www.rainn.org/state-state-guide-statutes-limitations

The post Are Priests and Churches Protected by statutes of limitations for child sex abuse crimes? appeared first on National Injury Help.

]]>
https://www.nationalinjuryhelp.com/personal-injury-law/priests-churches-statutes-limitations-child-sex-abuse/feed/ 0