Child Sexual Abuse in New Jersey

Although we want to spend as much time with our children as we can, the fact is that our kids spend a great deal of their lives in the care and under the supervision of others. Most of these people – professionals and volunteers – are dedicated and caring and have a positive impact on our children’s lives. Occasionally, however, an adult takes advantage of a child and abuses him or her. The consequences of that abuse are profound and long-lasting. Earlier this year, the Catholic Church in New Jersey published a list of the names of 188 priests “credibly accused” of sexual abuse of a minor. More recently, The Anderson Report on Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese and Dioceses in New Jersey named some 300 New Jersey clergy accused of sexual abuse in the archdiocese and dioceses of New Jersey. This is a statewide problem and, unfortunately, is not limited to the Catholic Church. Over 50 Boy Scout leaders have been accused of sexual abuse of children. A review of all these reports indicates that the alleged abusers have lived throughout the central and northern New Jersey area including Perth Amboy, Woodbridge, Jersey City, East Orange, New Brunswick and throughout Middlesex, Hudson, Union and Essex counties.

This week, Governor Murphy signed into law an important bill which extends the statute of limitations for claims by child sex abuse victims. The new legislation allows victims of sexual assault to file civil lawsuits until they turn 55 or until seven years from the time they become aware of the injury, whichever comes later. Current law restricts sex abuse lawsuits to when the victims are 20 years old or two years after they first realize that they were harmed by abuse. The new law also creates a two-year window for parties to bring lawsuits based on sexual abuse that would be time-barred even with the new statute of limitations, and expands the categories of potential defendants in civil actions.

Contact a Perth Amboy Attorney to Discuss Your Child Sexual Abuse Case in New Jersey

Are you or a loved one a victim of sexual abuse? The new law, explained above, recognizes that those who have been sexually abused often suppress their memories for years or don’t connect their injuries to their abuse and, in fairness, they need much more time to file a lawsuit. This new law gives them that time. When you are ready to access the justice system as the next step in your healing process, call the attorneys at CourtLaw at 732-442-5900 to schedule a free, CONFIDENTIAL consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 163 Market Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey 08861 as well as offices throughout New Jersey.

When you decide it’s time to seek justice in court, as other sexual abuse survivors have done, the lawyers at CourtLaw will be there with you every step of the way.  Just as institutional child sexual abuse has taken place throughout the State of New Jersey, so, too, the The Law Office of our firm founder are located conveniently throughout the State. We have offices in Perth Amboy, New Brunswick, East Orange, Newark, Jersey City, Roselle, Elizabeth, Linden, Paterson and Newark. Call 732-442-5900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.