Attorney for Sexual Abuse Victims of Fr. Thomas F. Brady in Brooklyn
No child should be subject to sexual abuse at the hands of a priest or other clergy member that they were led to trust. Unfortunately, some clergy members have used their position of power in order to gain access to children to perform terrible and illegal sexual acts. If you or a family member was a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of Father Thomas F. Brady, contact an experienced Brooklyn sexual abuse attorney today.
The legal team at Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP is prepared to help you hold a sexual abuser responsible for their actions. Our staff understands the trauma that a victim of abuse can live with, and we are here for you in your time of need. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 747-9706, or contact us online.
Common Types of Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is a term that can encompass a wide range of illegal actions. For example, making consistent and unwanted sexual comments towards another person is a form of sexual abuse. However, if the victim of sexual abuse was a child, they may have trouble defining certain actions as sexual abuse.
Abusers often take advantage of the naivete of children in order to conceal their dreadful acts of sexual abuse. Children may believe that because a priest or other member of the clergy is in a position of power, they must follow their commands without hesitation. Abusers often twist this relationship to make a victim experience guilt or shame when they do not comply with their sick intentions.
It is important to understand when a particular act qualifies as an act of sexual abuse. For example, fondling or touching another person without their consent is a form of sexual assault. Additionally, when the victim is a child, it is important to note that they do not have the mental capacity to consent to any type of sexual act. Other common types of sexual abuse include:
- Forcing a child to perform a sexual act whether on the abuser or another person
- Exposing a child to pornographic material
- Coercing a child to create pornography or taking photos/video of a naked child
- Displaying pornography involving a child
- Flashing genitals or other intimate areas to a child
- Rape of a child
This is not an exhaustive list. If you wish to learn more about filing a lawsuit against a member of the clergy that abused you, continue reading and speak with an experienced Brooklyn personal injury attorney today.
The Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse Cases
Many victims of sexual abuse are often scared and uncertain about whether they should come forward to speak out against their accuser. Some may believe that no one will believe their story, and the abuser is incapable of being a sexual predator. Others may feel that they were in some way to blame for the abuse they suffered. As a result, victims of sexual abuse could miss the statute of limitations deadline if they are unsure about filing a lawsuit against their abuser.
Acknowledging that sexual abuse is a serious issue, the State of New York passed the New York Child Victims Act (CVA). The CVA increases the statute of limitations deadline for victims of sexual misconduct that wish to file a civil lawsuit against their abuser. The statute of limitations determines the amount of time that a plaintiff has to file a lawsuit against a defendant.
The passage of the CVA allows victims of sexual abuse to file a sexual assault lawsuit against a defendant until they reach of 55. If the statute of limitations deadline on the victim’s case had already expired by August 14, 2019, when the act went into effect, the victim would have one year to pursue their claim. With this one-year deadline, courts in New York are dealing with hundreds of new cases filed against members of the clergy and other sexual abusers.
If you were abused by a priest like Father Brady that worked for the Diocese of Brooklyn, you might have a valid case against your abuser and their employer. Our firm can help you determine the best way to proceed if you want to seek justice against the person and institution that allowed your abuse.
Consult with Our Experienced Brooklyn Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you or a family member was sexually assaulted by Father Thomas F. Brady, consult with an experienced Brooklyn personal injury lawyer today. At Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, our sexual abuse lawyers possess decades of combined legal experience litigating a wide range of claims, and we are devoted to using our knowledge to serve victims of abuse. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 747-9706.