North Carolina Sexual Abuse
Many people have suffered sexual abuse at the hands of someone they trusted and often in a position of authority. 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 North Carolina. North Carolina sexual abuse also occurs at schools, camps, nursing homes, mental health facilities, and other places where circumstances allow. The case of Freddie Lamont Wilson, a youth basketball coach twice convicted of raping the same autistic teen, is a good example of such abuse. 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. Lawyers such as Sam Rogatinsky specialize in helping you find your voice in court.
Sexual Abuse
Unlike clergy abuse, sexual abuse can be perpetrated by anyone, anywhere. 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 North Carolina by those who were entrusted with their care, such as teachers, Boy Scout leaders, camp counselors, and so on. These adults are supposed to protect children, but instead cause them harm, such as Jimmie Grubbs, former language arts teacher at Bradley Middle School in Huntersville, North Carolina, who had been molesting male students since the 1970s.
Adults are also sexually abused. At nursing homes and mental health facilities all over North Carolina, 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
Although the Catholic Church is not the only venue for sexual abuse, it has been the most publicized due to the lack of bishop accountability. When the media picked up on the fact that bishops were just moving sexually abusive priests to another church, 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 Father Robert Yurgel, whose Diocese settled out of court with a survivor of the priest’s abuse a decade earlier. 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 make sure it doesn’t happen to others.
North Carolina Sexual Abuse and Clergy Abuse Statute of Limitations
The state of North Carolina makes it very clear that there is a three year statute of limitations for personal injury. They consider the act of sexual abuse a personal injury and therefore a survivor only has three years from the occurrence.
All things considered, even thought the statute is fairly short, there is a Discovery Rule in North Carolina and for latent injuries resulting from personal injuries actions, the cause of action does not accrue until the harm to the victim becomes apparent, or ought to have reasonably become apparent. No cause of action will accrue “more than 10 years from the last act of the defendant giving rise to the cause of action.”
Further, there is Delayed Tolling for disabilities/minors so people under 18 years of age claiming personal injury may bring their cause of action within three after reaching the age of majority.
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 me, sexual abuse lawyer Samuel Rogatinsky at (954) 995-3805 or send an email to samr@sexabuseattorney.org