Child Sexual Abuse and Clergy Abuse in Alabama
The state of Alabama, like many other states in the U.S., has not been free of sexual abuse and in particular child sexual abuse. There are several innocent child victims in Alabama who have been sexually abused by people they trust like a teacher, coach, step parent, or a minister. They have never managed to speak about it for fear of not being believed and because of possible embarrassment.
Child Sexual Abuse Case in Alabama
Rev. J. Alexander Sherlock, a pastor at St. Pius in Alabama, sexually abused a young boy in the 1970’s in Alabama. He was allowed to remain in his position or post by Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb even after there were two more complaints of the same nature. After a while, when a fourth case came forward, Rev. Sherlock was forced to resign. The case was concealed instead of being taken seriously, for instance, not notifying law enforcement authorities. As the victims were not very forthcoming on the clergy abuse issue as well as statute of limitations might have led to this situation.
Alabama Sexual Abuse and Clergy Abuse Statute of Limitations
In Alabama, sexual abuse and clergy abuse cases must be filed within two years of the abuse. Once you turn nineteen years of age, you have only two years to file. There are no delays, and no action can be filed at all after twenty years have passed. There is no discovery rule in the State of Alabama. The Alabama Supreme Court does not permit a sexual abuse action to be filed when suppressed or latent memories of the incident arise beyond the statute of limitations.
There is no statute of limitations in criminal cases for children under the age of sixteen. However, for victims beyond the age of sixteen, there is a three year statute of limitations for filing sexual abuse cases, which are usually felony charges.
There is no special statute of limitations. The Alabama Supreme Court has refused to adopt a discovery rule or to apply Alabama’s insanity tolling provision to repressed memory claims. Claims have to be filed within two years of the date of the incident.
Why Immediate Action Against Sex Abusers is a Must
There are several forms of sexual abuse and many a times when a child is very young he may not even know that he is being abused. Often times children experience anger and humiliation as a direct consequence of minister abuse or clergy abuse and parents have no idea what may have happened or is happening. Sexual abuse cases are popping up all over the place as people seem to be obtaining the courage to speak the truth and complain about their oppressors without thinking about the consequences. A lot of helpless victims are wishing they had the courage to come out into the open and expose the people who abused them. Unfortunately, certain laws in the state of Alabama don’t allow for victims to make a complaint stick after a certain period of time has elapsed.
A Strong Legal to Stop Sexual Abusers Now
If someone in your family or within your circle has been abused, it is time you consider contacting a dedicated attorney who can give you sound advice on what steps can be taken. Sam Rogatinsky is an advocate for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Mr. Rogatinsky is committed to the victims and survivors who try so hard to heal from child sexual abuse and he will take your call any time, day or night. It does not matter if you live in a remote area or in a large city, Sam will work with you to help you heal from the trauma that you have endured. The only way to begin the healing process is to expose the sexual abusers and the institutions that protect these animals. Sam can help you, but you must contact him now.
If someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, contact our law firm at (954) 995.3805 or send an email to sexual abuse lawyer Samuel Rogatinsky at samr@sexabuseattorney.org