Clergy abuse is a rampant problem today, and no state has been more affected by clergy abuse stories than New Mexico. The largest number of clergy abuse cases with rampant cover up attempts erupted in the 1940’s and 1950’s in New Mexico, so much so that church sex abuse survivor Jay Nelson wrote a book about it called Sons Of Perdition. The problem was so bad that a small religious community of priests and parishioners, the Servants of the Paraclete, started a priest sex abusers sexual dysfunction and substance abuse recovery center in New Mexico for priests specifically to treat: “psycho-sexual problems”. This effectively assembled a huge number of church sex abusers and clergy sex abuse victims from the South West in one state, New Mexico. The abuse in the catholic church in that region ignited a huge catholic sex abuse scandal that has continued for years as child sex abuse victim after child sex abuse victim have come forth telling their heart wrenching tales.
Clergy abuse, priest sex abuse, rabbi abuse, and church sex abuse of any kind is a disturbing thought. What can an innocent victim due when sexually abused at the hands of a member of their trusted church? They can seek justice, and noted clergy abuse lawyer Sam Rogatinsky of The Rogatinsky firm can help them get it. But Sam doesn’t just help church sex abuse victims, he truly cares about all sex abuse victims. Sam will go after and take on sexual abusers from churches, schools, mental health facilities, the Boy Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Clubs, athletic organizations, even medical professionals such as psychologists. In fact, Sam recently filed suit against a mental health facility that abused a patient. There are far too many sexual abuse and child sexual abuse stories out there, even in New Mexico.
Take the child sex abuse suit filed against the Boy Scouts of America, the Great Southwest Council of the Boy Scouts, and scoutmaster Thomas Hickey in New Mexico. Dustin “Dusty” Dodson, now 42, alleges the scoutmaster fondled him, was forced to partake of body to body rubbing under order of the scoutmaster, and then he and others were forced to remove their clothing and climb under double blankets with the scoutmaster to perform disturbing sexual acts on each other. All this took place while on seemingly innocent trips with his Santa Fe troop in the early 80’s.
Clergy abuse attorney Samuel Rogatinsky will review all of the circumstances of each and every case so he can lead sex abuse survivors to the justice they deserve. In addition to clergy and church sex abuse cases, the Rogatinsky Firm takes on any institution or individual guilty of harboring or of inflicting sex abuse against students, patients or organization members of groups such as sports associations. He’ll even help you find the therapy you need. Call Sam on the toll free number found on this site or at (954) 995-3805 after hours. Mr. Rogatinsky will also help you find child sex abuse support groups like http://www.bishop-accountability.org/ and http://www.jimhopper.com/male-ab/ to help you get your life back in order.
For your convenience, the Statute of Limitations for New Mexico are listed here:
Statute of Limitations for Civil Cases:
- There is a 6 year Statute of Limitations for child sexual abuse cases with a delayed tolling until the victim’s 18th birthday, with a 3 year discovery rule. Child sex abuse claims may be filed 6 years after the sex abuse victim’s 18th birthday or 3 years after the victim: “knew or had reason to know of the childhood sexual abuse and that the childhood sexual abuse resulted in an injury to the person, as established by competent medical or psychological testimony.” Whichever comes later. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 37-1-30.
Statute of Limitations for Criminal Cases:
- There is no Statute of Limitations for extremely serious child sex abuse offenses, 5 to 6 year Statute of Limitations for most other sex abuse offenses. There is no Statute of Limitations for 1st degree felonies. There is a 6 year Statute of Limitations for 2nd degree felonies. There is a 5 year Statute of Limitations covering 3rd and 4th degree felonies. § 30-1-8.
There is a delayed tolling for child sex abuse victims beginning when the victim turns 18. The Statute of Limitations for criminal sexual penetration or contact with a child doesn’t begin to run until the reporting of the offense to a law enforcement official or until the victim turns 18, whichever is earliest. § 30-1-9.1.
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