Childhood sexual abuse can create lifelong psychological trauma. Abuse survivors may experience depression, anxiety, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder for years after their experiences. This type of long-term trauma can interfere with interpersonal relationships and a survivor’s ability to function at school, work, and in daily life. Holding abusers and the institutions that enable abuse accountable for their actions can be a crucial step in a survivor’s healing process.
If you have been harmed by childhood sexual abuse, you may be entitled to compensation for your emotional injuries. A childhood sexual abuse lawyer understands the impact of this type of trauma. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we have experience helping survivors hold their abusers accountable. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a compassionate and experienced childhood sexual abuse lawyer.
New York’s Childhood Sexual Abuse Laws
In New York, childhood sexual abuse survivors can seek damages for the harm inflicted by their abusers. Unfortunately, at one time, the statutes of limitations for filing these types of claims were extremely limited. Consequently, many childhood sexual abuse survivors were deprived of their day in court. However, in recognition of this injustice, New York lawmakers made important changes to the state’s sexual abuse statutes.
The Child Victims Act
In February 2019, New York’s Child Victims Act was signed into law, bringing new hope to childhood sexual abuse survivors. The law contained a lookback period that allowed survivors to seek justice even decades after they were abused. This means that otherwise time-barred cases could be pursued for childhood sexual abuse. The Child Victims Act also expanded the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims. Before the Child Victims Act’s passage and other changes in the law, New York’s statutes of
limitations for sexual abuse-related crimes were short, leaving victims an unrealistic amount of time to file suit. The lookback period for childhood sexual abuse is now closed. However, survivors now have longer and more realistic periods to pursue claims and hold their abusers accountable.
Childhood Sexual Abuse Trauma
For various reasons, childhood sexual abuse survivors may wait to disclose the abuse they suffered. Often, childhood sexual abuse happens secretly, and abusers often intimidate and threaten survivors to ensure their silence. Child survivors may also feel guilt, having been led to believe that they are to blame for the abuse. Someone in this situation may also fear retaliation or that they can’t speak out against someone in a position of authority. In addition, this type of harm is highly traumatic. A child may take years to fully process their experiences and be ready to speak about them with others.
As a result of the changes to New York sexual abuse laws, thousands of survivors have filed lawsuits against their abusers and institutions. Holding these abusers and institutions accountable for the harm they enabled is a crucial feature of New York childhood sexual abuse laws and can help childhood sexual abuse survivors heal.
How a Childhood Sexual Abuse Lawyer Can Help
When someone has been harmed by sexual abuse, their psychological injuries can be severe and long-lasting. Holding an abuser accountable can be essential to moving forward and healing. If you have suffered childhood sexual abuse and are considering filing a claim against your abuser, you want to work with an experienced childhood sexual abuse lawyer who cares. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., our team of childhood sexual abuse lawyers are here to help guide you through the legal process with compassion.
Contact an Experienced Sexual Abuse Lawyer for Help
If you have been the victim of sexual abuse and have waited to come forward, it is important that you consult with an experienced and trusted attorney as soon as possible. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we have over 50 years of experience helping injured New Yorkers and want to help you. We are compassionate sexual abuse lawyers with the experience necessary to help survivors pursue justice.
Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation—se habla español.If you are a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, you should consult with an experienced and compassionate sexual abuse lawyer. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MedLaw1 today to schedule a free consultation