Victims of sexual abuse and sexual assault often suffer lifelong injuries. Many victims of sexual abuse suffer from a variety of illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety.
Oftentimes, victims of sexual assault manifest their symptoms in other ways as well. These include, but not limited to, inability to hold down steady employment, drug abuse, interpersonal conflicts, commission of criminal offenses, and difficulty in maintaining a long-term relationship.
The Law Offices of Eugene K. Hollander is experienced in handling a wide variety of sexual abuse cases, including priest sexual abuse cases, sexual harassment, inappropriate touching and fondling, unlawful restraint, negligent hiring, supervision and retention, and invasion of privacy. Mr. Hollander, a former prosecutor of Cook County, has the unique ability to sensitively represent clients of sexual assault.
Priest Sexual Abuse
With priest sexual abuse cases, the member of the clergy is usually well known to the family member of the victim. Sometimes, the priest will tell a young victim of sexual abuse that the inappropriate contact is a secret between them, or that God will punish them if they disclose that the priest kissed her, or otherwise engaged in abusive fondling.
Challenges
- Prosecuting these cases presents a unique set of challenges. Often, a victim of sexual abuse may be reluctant to come forward as they are afraid of not being believed.
- Sexual assault cases usually involve people who hold positions of trust, like a priest, family member, or teacher.
- Family members may not wish to believe their children if they tell them that they have been abused in the church, or the rectory, or even in their own home.
- Victims of these sexual assaults may have difficulty recalling specific details from abuse which happened many years ago.
- Some victims may have been so traumatized that they have repressed the memories from a series of inappropriate sexual contacts.
The Law Offices of Eugene K. Hollander is well acquainted with the difficulties that a victim faces when they wish to complain of sexual abuse, and when necessary, can retain the appropriate experts to provide therapy or otherwise evaluate how such a victim has suffered financial losses, or how the trauma has interfered with their ability to hold down employment.
From a legal standpoint, since sexual abuse claims may have occurred long ago, a priest or church may claim that the statute of limitations may bar the victim’s claim. The Law Offices of Eugene K. Hollander can analyze whether such a defense may be successful, or whether the victim may be entitled to money damages as a result of the sexual abuse.
If you are a victim of sexual abuse or are inquiring on behalf of a friend or family member who has suffered a sexual assault, contact The Law Offices of Eugene K. Hollander to confidentially discuss the claim.