Tennessee Sexual Abuse
Many people have suffered sexual abuse at the hands of someone they trusted and sometimes the abuser was even 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 Tennessee. Tennessee sexual abuse also occurs at schools, camps, nursing homes, mental health facilities, and other places where circumstances allow. 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 Tennessee 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. These types of cases usually result in several victims, such as the case with the Woodland Hills Youth Development Center in Nashville, Tennessee, in which dozens of students have reported being sexually abused by female staffers.
Adults also suffer from sexual abuse. At nursing homes and mental health facilities all over Tennessee, 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. For example, Norman Redwing has brought a civil case against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Memphis over allegations of child sexual abuse by a Catholic priest in the 1970s. 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.
Tennessee Sexual Abuse and Clergy Abuse Statute of Limitations
The state of Tennessee does not have a special statute for sexual abuse claims. Instead, there is a one year statute of limitations for all personal tort actions. Personal tort actions must be brought within one year of the date the cause of action accrued. This means that the statute of limitations begins to run when the sex abuse occurred.
If the sexual abuse survivor was under the age of 18, then the statute of limitations in Tennessee is tolled until one year of reaching the age of 18. More specifically, the limitations period will expire the day before the victim’s 18th birthday.
In Tennessee, the discovery rule is applied in common law which means that it is strictly applied. The common law interpretation of the discovery rule means that the statute of limitations begins to run when the injury is discovered, or in the exercise of due care and diligence, the plaintiff discovers that he or she has a right of action. The plaintiff has to have absolutely no knowledge that a wrong has occurred and, as a reasonable person, was not put on inquiry. The court in Tennessee has not addressed the issue of repressed memory and left it for another day.
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