North Dakota Sexual Abuse
Many people have suffered sexual abuse at the hands of someone they thought they could trust. 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 Dakota. North Dakota sexual abuse also occurs at schools, camps, nursing homes, mental health facilities, and other places where circumstances allow. A good example of this is when from 2001 to 2005, the state revoked the licenses of six North Dakota teachers accused of sexual misconduct. 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 and occur 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 Dakota 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 school bus driver Everett Gilbert Williston, North Dakota, who was charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child who authorities said was abused for more than a year on Gilbert’s route.
Adults can also be sexually abused. At nursing homes and mental health facilities all over North Dakota, 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 Brother Raimond Rose who sexually molested students at Shanley High School in Fargo, North Dakota. 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 Dakota Sexual Abuse and Clergy Abuse Statute of Limitations
In North Dakota there is a two year statute of limitations for sexual assault and battery cases. Ordinary sexual abuse claims must be started and filed within 2 years of the sexual abuse.
North Dakota does adhere to the Discovery Rule and the court has affirmed the use of a discovery statute that allows the accrual of an action for sexual abuse to begin only when “the claimant knows, or with reasonable diligence should know, that a potential claim exists.
If however you are minor, there is Delayed Tolling for minors but not for too long. You have until one year from turning 18 or age of majority to bring your cause of action.
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