Sexual Abuse

Were you a Victim of Sexual Abuse in Pennsylvania or New Jersey?

You may be entitled to justice and substantial compensation.

#MeToo – Time’s Up

The #MeToo and Time’s Up movements have brought sexual abuse and harassment out of the closet and into the forefront of our collective consciousness. By stepping forward and demanding to be heard, victims are fighting back against the tyranny of antiquated social constructs that far too often permitted men to be oppress, demean and often sexually abuse women with impunity – all to the detriment emotionally, physically and financially of the female victims. Although men are not immune to being victims of sexual abuse (nearly 90% of the clergy sex abuse victims were young boys), the overwhelming majority of sexual abuse in the general population is committed against young girls and adult women. The predators committing these horrific acts must be held accountable for their actions and the companies and institutions that allow this behavior to occur, and sometimes even condone it, must financially compensate the often enormous damages suffered by these victims. Beginning with the New York Times article exposing Hollywood Film Producer and Executive Harvey Weinstein as a serial sexual predator, the paradigm has shifted and the news cycle has been dominated by stories surrounding the #MeToo Movement. People from all walks of life and all industries have stood up and voiced the need to end sexually inappropriate abuse and harassment. Through this process, the world has learned what we at Levy Baldante have known for decades – although this litigation is categorized in court as “sexual abuse cases,” the horrendous acts of these predators are actually less about sex and more about the exercise of power and control over their victims. Indeed, the victims of sexual abuse are often the most vulnerable people in our society — women, immigrants, people of color, marginalized cultures, people with disabilities, low-income workers and LGBTQ people. They are people who often feel shame and embarrassment, though they have done nothing wrong, and they are people who feel dread regarding the naming of their abusers because they fear and cannot afford to confront what they assume are the retaliatory consequences of speaking truth to power. Levy Baldante has been successfully handling and championing these types of cases for decades, long before they were thrust into the public eye.

If you have been sexually harassed, sexually abused, sexually molested or raped, the current social and judicial environments are finally acknowledging the female perspective and taking measures to afford women the respect and rights that have been denied to them for far too long. Now is perhaps the most favorable time in our judicial history within which to come forward, confront your abusers and demand accountability. The #MeToo and Time’s Up movements have opened doors for all women, men and children who have been sexually abused or raped, to come forward and stand up for their right to work and live in a sexual abuse/harassment free atmosphere. These movements have not just paved the way for rich and famous celebrities in the entertainment industry, but have also carved a path for all victims against predators in every environment. Employers in all fields are accountable for and must be held responsible for the acts of their employees and for their own failures to have proper sexual harassment policies and protections in place.

Effective December 1, 2019, a new law in New Jersey now allows victims who were sexually abused as children the right to pursue lawsuits, even if the sexual abuse occurred decades ago. An amendment to New Jersey’s Statute of Limitations law now permits a two (2) year window, expiring on December 1, 2021, for lawsuits on behalf of any person, regardless of their current age, who was sexually abused as a minor when under the age of 18. Also, even after this two year window expires, all minor children sexually abused can still file lawsuits until the age of 55. This new law in New Jersey is one of the most progressive laws in the country protecting the rights of children emotionally and physically damaged by such sexual abuse. The Statute of Limitations for adult victims of sexual abuse is covered by this same statute and generally provides adult victims the right to file a lawsuit within seven (7) years from the date of the abuse. In Pennsylvania, the day of reckoning approaches, and measures are underway to change the law in a similar manner through an amendment to the Commonwealth’s Constitution. Soon, victims in Pennsylvania will share the same rights as those victimized in New Jersey.

If you have been sexually abused, harassed, or assaulted in the workplace or other places, Levy Baldante has lead the fight on behalf of victims’ rights in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. To have an attorney review your case at no cost or obligation to you, please contact Levy Baldante Finney & Rubenstein at (800) 601-1616.