The Diocese of Providence has been forced to unearth old hidden files in regards to serious allegations of clergy clergy abuse concerning 4 specific church sex abuse cases. All of the disturbing Catholic Church sex abuse cases have been settled. The child sex abuse victims have been vindicated. Yes, church sex abuse happens even in quaint Rhode Island. This sex abuse settlement totaled over a million dollars for the 4 victims. But sadly, many more child sex abuse victims are out there. 1 in 5 adults have been victims of child sexual abuse in their lives, and many don’t come forth to find the justice they deserve. Not all sex abuse happens at the hands of the clergy either.

Take, for example, these child sex abuse cases recently in the news:

  • A Boy Scout troop leader in Rhode Island was indicted after a poor child alleged that the nearly forty year old troop leader sexually abused him while he was in what should have been a safe Boy Scout of America camp get away.
  • An assistant Boy Scout Master in Illinois was arrested for sexually assaulting a child and had troop members pose for disgusting pornographic pictures.
  • A priest in Massachusetts who volunteered for the Boy Scouts of America and the YMCA is under investigation for sexually abusing over two hundred children. While searching the sex abuser’s home, authorities discovered a list with 250 local children’s names on it. The list described details of the children’s private body parts. (http://articles.sfgate.com/2000-07-23/news/28586890_1)

Samuel Rogatinsky, a noted sex abuse lawyer and child sex abuse advocate, cares about survivors of sexual abuse. He wants to see them get the help and justice they seek. Sam and the Rogatinsky firm don’t stop with clergy abuse cases, Sam will go after any sex abusers from any organization or institution. Mr. Rogatinsky filed a successful suit against a mental health facility that was abusing a patient, getting that patient the vindication they deserved. The Rogatinsky Firm takes on sexual abuse cases against churches, schools, mental health facilities, even athletic organizations. Call Sam now on the toll free number found on this site or after hours at (954) 995-3805. Mr. Rogatinsky will get you the help you need. He believes child sex abuse support groups like http://www.pokrov.org/ and http://childmolestationprevention.org/ can help you make sense of the horrors you endured.

Statute of Limitations for Civil Cases filed in Rhode Island:

  • There is a 7 year Statute of Limitations for sexual abuse cases based upon intentional conduct, meaning a case must be filed within 7 years of the sexual abuse, or 7 years from when the victim reasonably should have discovered that the sex abuse injuries were causally related to the sex abuse itself. R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-51(a)(2008). The discovery rule doesn’t extend to suits filed against non-perpetrator defendants for damages stemming from child sex abuse acts that are governed by the general 3 year Statute of Limitations for personal injuries. See Ryan v. Roman Catholic Bishop of Providence, 941 A.2d 174 (R.I., 2008).
  • There is a 3 year Statute of Limitation for suits filed against non-perpetrators. A case has to be filed within 3 years of the sex abused acts in instances that constitute negligence. R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b) (2008).

Statute of Limitations for Criminal Cases:

There is no Statute of Limitations for filing charges of criminal sexual abuse assault in the 1st Degree or child molestation in the 1st or 2nd degree. (§ 11-37-8.1), Second degree child molestation sexual assault (§ 11-37-8.3) R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-12-17(a), or for any other sex abuse criminal offense, within 3 years of the act of sex abuse itself. R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-12-17(c) (2008).

 

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