The Diocese of Davenport, Iowa was recently forced to declare bankruptcy because it went to great length to cover up the Catholic sex abuse scandal surrounding former Sioux City bishop Lawrence Soens. Bishop Soens was the principal of Regina High School for 11 years in the 50’s and 60’s. Now 14 former students have filed child sex abuse suits against Soens. This is an all too familiar scenario. Who isn’t familiar with stories of priest abuse, church sex abuse, clergy abuse and child sex abuse these days. Even Boy Scouts of America officials are involved in child sex abuse scandals. Child sex abuse at anyone’s hand is a terrible, devastating assault, but victims do have rights. Child sex abuse victims lives are turned upside down by sex abuse assaults, In Iowa in most cases sex abuse victims can file either criminal sex abuse charges, civil sex abuse charges, or both.
Sam Rogatinsky of Rogatinsky & Matthews can help any child sex abuse, clergy abuse, priest abuse, or minister sex abuse victim. Mr. Rogatinsky is a talented, experienced sex abuse and child sex abuse lawyer. If you have a child sex abuse case of any kind, Contact Mr. Rogatinsky right away. Mr. Rogatinsky is also a strong advocate for sex abuse survivors. Call Sam on the toll free number found on this site or even on his personal cell at (954) 995-3805 anytime. It doesn’t matter if it’s day or night. If he doesn’t pick up the line simply leave your information. Mr. Rogatinsky will be sure to call you back as soon as he retrieves your message.
Mr. Rogatinsky cares. He knows how important sex abuse therapy is to the healing process. If you don’t have a sex abuse therapist, tell Mr. Rogatinsky. He’ll help you find one and will put you in touch with clergy abuse or sex abuse support group like www.bishop-accountability.org/ and http://www.1in6.org/.
If you have a child sex abuse case, Mr. Rogatinsky is ready to help. So you understand the time you have to file a child sex abuse case in Iowa, the statute of limitations are listed below:
Statute of Limitations for Civil Cases:
- There is a 4 year Statute of Limitations as child sex abuse victims must file their lawsuit within 4 years of the discovery and recognition that the sex abuse injury has a causal relationship with the sex abuse. § 614.8A This Statute of Limitations applies to all cases filed after July 1, 1990.
- There is a 5 year Statute of Limitations for sex abuse committed by a counselor, a therapist, or any school employee. There is a 2 year Statute of Limitations for personal injury lawsuits. § 614.1 (2008).
- There is a delayed tolling for minors who are victims of sexual abuse. They must file their case within 1 year of their 18th § 614.8(2).
Statute of Limitations for Criminal Cases:
There is a 10 year Statute of Limitations for first, second, and third degree sex abuse crimes committed against minors, for incest, and for any sex abuse or sexual exploitation committed by a counselor, therapist, or by any school employee. §§ 802.2, 802.2A (2008). Sex abuse crimes committed against minors that are felonies, are aggravated or are serious misdemeanors have a 3 year Statute of Limitations Id. § 802.3.
If someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse by a member of the clergy, contact our law firm at (954) 995.3805 or send an email to sexual abuse lawyer Samuel Rogatinsky at samr@clergyabuse.org