In addition to potential criminal charges, there are also options in the civil system for victims of child sexual abuse. A Reading child molestation lawyer could file a lawsuit against the abuser and any other parties who facilitated this mistreatment.
There is an extended period of time available to file these lawsuits, even for adults who were victimized years ago. Instead of assuming nothing can be done, now is the right time to discuss your options with a compassionate injury lawyer.
It is natural to hold the abuser accountable for their actions, both through the criminal justice system and as part of a civil claim. However, lawsuits are often a possibility against the institutions and individuals who allowed this abuse to take place. A Reading child molestation attorney could file a claim against each of the parties who participated in this conduct or allowed it to happen. Some of those entities include the following:
There have been countless stories of abuse by clergy in religious institutions, with thousands of victims coming forward in recent years. The efforts by some churches to cover up allegations of this behavior have been extensive. Lawsuits related to abuse in churches or religious schools from years ago are still being filed regularly.
These daycares are designed to protect children and see to their needs, but not all of them are safe. However, abuse in these settings is relatively infrequent due to the high mandatory ratio of adults to children. Still, not all daycares follow mandatory guidelines or even register with authorities. Abuse is more likely in that scenario.
The foster care system is also rife with abuse. While countless families have provided children with homes out of the goodness of their own hearts, there are others who prey on the young people sent to live with them. Legal action could be available against foster parents involved in child sexual abuse.
Every type of legal action filed must comply with the statute of limitations. This legal deadline can be a major pitfall for certain injury claims. If a person waits too long to file their case in court, the judge may be forced to dismiss it with prejudice. This can prevent someone with strong evidence of abuse from ever securing the compensation they deserve.
In most cases, a person has two years from the date of their injury to pursue a negligence lawsuit. This tight deadline proved problematic for the victims of abuse, many of which only come to terms with what happened to them much later in life.
To address this issue, Pennsylvania made drastic changes to the time limit for filing a lawsuit. Childhood victims of sexual abuse have until their 30th birthday to pursue legal action against their abuser. An Allentown child molestation attorney can ensure compliance with this important deadline.
If you were abused as a child, there may still be time to hold those involved accountable for their actions. This includes not only your abuser but those who enabled that person as well. Reach out as soon as possible to discuss your case with a Reading child molestation lawyer.