Nebraska Sexual Abuse
Many people have suffered sexual abuse at the hands of someone they knew and trusted. Most of us are familiar with cases of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church due to several media publicized cases of priest sexual abuse, but church sex scandals are just one example of an issue that affects many in Nebraska. Nebraska sexual abuse also occurs at schools, camps, nursing homes, mental health facilities, and other places where circumstances allow. You are not alone; there are others in your state and around the country who understand. A minister who led churches in Iowa and Nebraska was sentenced to 35 years in prison on three sexual assault charges in Iowa after being fired by the Lincoln, Nebraska school district. There are others like you. Speaking out about sexual abuse is important in two ways: It can stop the abuser from hurting others and it helps bring a sense of closure for the victim. Speaking out can feel intimidating, but you and your loved ones are not alone. Attorneys such as Sam Rogatinsky specialize in helping you find your voice in court.
Sexual Abuse In Nebraska
Unlike clergy abuse, sexual abuse can be perpetrated by anyone. The most common places for sexual abuse to occur are schools, camps, nursing homes, mental health facilities, group homes, and organizations such as the Boy and Girl Scouts of America. Countless children have been sexually abused in Nebraska by those who were entrusted with their care, including teachers, Boy Scout leaders, camp counselors, and so on. These adults are supposed to protect children, but instead cause them harm, like Kelsey Peterson, the Lexington teacher who pled guilty to having sex with a sixth-grade student in Dawson County District Court.
Adults are also sexually abused. At nursing homes and mental health facilities all over Nebraska, social workers and psychologists take advantage of the vulnerable adults that they are supposed to be protecting. Fortunately, the perpetrators can be made to pay for the pain they have caused, but you must seek representation. Sam will help to make sure that everything possible is done to assure that your suffering has not been in vain.
Clergy Abuse in Nebraska
Although the Catholic Church is not the only venue for sexual abuse, it has been the most publicized. When the media picked up on the fact that bishops were simply moving sexually abusive priests around, news outlets ran with the story. The truth is that clergy abuse includes not only Catholic priests, but rabbis, ministers, reverends, pastors, office staff at places of worship, religious youth directors, and anyone who works for a place of worship, such as former Nebraska reverend Thomas Sellentin who admitted sexually abusing boys for as long as 30 years. If you or someone you know has been sexually abused by someone in this category, you now have an avenue of help available to you. You do not have to be a victim anymore. Contact Sam to find out how you can take control of what happened and help to make sure it doesn’t happen to others.
Nebraska Sexual Abuse and Clergy Abuse Statute of Limitations
In Nebraska, the legislature has decided that there will not be a special statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse. Instead, Nebraska survivors must file their cases within four years of the act that constituted the sexual abuse. Essentially, it’s the standard personal injury statute that applies to the sexual abuse claims.
However, if you were a minor when the sexual abuse occurred, the statute of limitations is suspended until you reach the age of 21. This means that survivors have 4 years from reaching the age of 21 in which to file a claim against the abuser and the institution that protected the abuser.
The Nebraska Supreme Court says that the discovery rule is determined by focusing on when the discovery of the injury occurs and not on when the injured party recognizes whose conduct is responsible for the injury. This interpretation obviously shortens the time period of filing a claim.
If you were sexually abused by a priest, rabbi, coach, psychologist or any other person who sexually abused you, please don’t feel ashamed. We want to help you.
Contact sexual abuse lawyer Samuel Rogatinsky at (954) 995-3805 or send an email to samr@sexabuseattorney.org