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. Our childhood sexual abuse lawyers understand the impact of this type of ordeal and provide trauma informed representation. 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.
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, signed into law in February 2019, changed the civil Statute of Limitations going forward for survivors of sexual abuse seeking justice from sexual predators and those who enabled them. The Statute of Limitations is now measured by the survivor’s 55th birthday. Thus if you were sexually abused as a child, the Statute of Limitations had not yet run on your claim as of February 14, 2019, and you are under 55 years old, you may still have time to bring a claim and seek justice.
There are many 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.
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.
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.
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