Tremont

Sexual Abuse

Under current Connecticut law, any person who claims damages as a result of being sexually abused, sexually assaulted, or sexually abused as a child has until 30 years past the age of majority (until age 48 typically) in which to file a claim in court.

These kinds of claims include situations where an adult sexually assaults a child or shows a child pornography or takes inappropriate photographs of a child. It often involves inappropriate and sexual contact such as fondling, kissing, and digital penetration. Tragically, the perpetrators of these acts are often people who are well known to the victim such as a clergy member, teacher, friend of the family, or even family member.

Tremont & Sheldon is committed to representing all survivors of childhood sexual abuse perpetrated by family members, clergy, friends, relatives, doctors, teachers, Boy Scout leaders, bus drivers, and coaches. We are experienced at handling cases of clergy sexual abuse, teacher sexual abuse, doctor sexual abuse, and other types of sexual molestation of children by adults. We have successfully pursued civil cases for victims of these heinous criminal acts with both compassion and discretion.

Please contact the sexual assault victim attorneys at Tremont & Sheldon to confidentially and sensitively evaluate your case. For more detailed information with regard to clergy sexual abuse, please refer to Sexual Abuse Church Section.

Videos

• VIDEO - Watch Attorney Jason Tremont Interviewed Regarding Cardinal Edward Egan's Sex Abuse Comment

• VIDEO - Watch Attorney Douglas Mahoney Interviewed on the Fox CT Morning Show

Related Links

• Two Roads to Justice for Sexual Abuse Victims
• Tolland Connecticut Doctor Imprisoned on Child Porn Charge - Caught with one of Biggest Child Porn Collections in Connecticut
• Who Attended Monsignor Kevin Wallin's Party?
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• Monsignor Kevin Wallin of Diocese of Bridgeport Accused of Dealing Drugs and having Sex in Rectory
• Tremont & Sheldon New Information on Church Abuse Cases -- Continues to Represent Victims
• Boy Scouts Files Name 22 Connecticut Residents Accused or Convicted of Immoral Acts
• "Gibberish" Says Judge In St. Francis Case Insurance Dispute
• The Similarities Between the Penn State Sex Abuse Scandal and the Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Scandal - Freeh Report on Penn Sate Attached
• Two Roads for Justice for Sexual Abuse Victims
• Ex-Peace Corps Worker From Connecticut To Plead Guilty In Sex Assault Case
• St. Francis Settles Reardon Child Sex Abuse Claims - Could Cost Hospital And Insurers More Than $50 Million
• Suit: School Ignored Sex Assault Claims
• Tremont & Sheldon Announces New Blog as a Resource for Sexual Abuse Victims
• 2 Clergymen Who Hid Abuse Still Working
• Former Altar Boy Files Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against Bridgeport Diocese
• Over $50 Million Collected for Childhood Victims of Sexual Abuse
• Plaintiff Awarded $2,750,000 - Jury Finds St. Francis at Fault in Reardon Sex Abuse Case

Online Resources - Victim Support Groups for Child Sexual Abuse

• Adult Survivors of Child Abuse – Individual and group support program for adult survivors of physical, sexual, and/or emotional child abuse or neglect.
• Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, Inc. – CONNSACS is a statewide coalition of individual sexual assault crisis programs, which work to end sexual violence through victim assistance, community education, and public policy advocacy.
• Wounded Healer – TWHJ is the oldest point of presence on the Web for psychotherapists and others who have experienced the devastation of trauma including child abuse.
• The Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Program – The mission of the SCAN Program is to provide comprehensive medical and psychosocial care in a culturally sensitive manner to children who have experienced acute sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect.
• Yale New Haven Hospital Child Sexual Abuse Program – The Yale Child Abuse Program provides evaluation and treatment of all types of child maltreatment.

Common Questions About Sexual Abuse

• I do not want my identity revealed. Is there a way that I can file a claim and remain anonymous?

• You can ask permission from the Court to file your case under a pseudonym (e.g., Jane Doe or John Doe). It is up to the judge to grant or deny your request.

   

• If there is a criminal case presently pending against the perpetrator, can I still file a civil suit?

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  Yes. The two cases can proceed at the same time, but there may be reasons to wait, if possible, until the criminal case has concluded.

   

• The perpetrator is now dead. Can I still file a claim?

• Yes. A claim can be filed against the estate of the perpetrator. However, there are very strict and short time restrictions for doing so.

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• What is the difference between criminal and civil cases? Is there a different burden of proof?

• Many people know that the burden of proof (or evidence needed to prove the case) in a criminal case is beyond a reasonable doubt. Criminal cases require a very high standard because being found guilty of a crime is at stake as well as the potential to go to jail. In a civil case, no one is accused of a crime and cannot be found guilty. Instead, the question in a civil case is whether a person was negligent and responsible for damages to another. The burden of proof in a civil case, for example a motor vehicle accident, is lower (easier to prove) than in a criminal case. The standard is “more likely than not” the person was at fault or proof of just over 50% to win the case.

   

• What is the statute of limitations with regard to filing a sexual abuse claim?

• Under current Connecticut law, any person who claims damages as a result of being sexually abused, sexually assaulted, or sexually exploited as a child has until 30 years past the age of majority (typically until age 48) in which to file a claim in court. However, if you claim damages as a result of being sexually assaulted as an adult, then you have a much shorter time period in which to file a lawsuit. Typically you have three years from the date of the assault to file against the perpetrator for his or her intentional acts and two years from the date of the assault to file against any other person or entity (e.g., perpetrator's employer) who may have been negligent in allowing the perpetrator to have contact with you.

• Who are mandated reporters of suspected child abuse?

• Under Connecticut law, the following people are mandated reporters of suspected child abuse: doctors, nurses, medical examiners, dentists, dental hygienists, psychologists, coaches, school teachers, school principals, school guidance counselors, school paraprofessionals, social workers, police officers, juvenile or adult probation and /or parole officers, members of the clergy, pharmacists, physical therapists, optometrists, chiropractors, podiatrists, mental health professionals, physician’s assistants, certified EMT providers, certified drug and alcohol counselors, licensed marital and family therapists, sexual assault and/or battered women’s counselors, paid child care providers in public or private facilities, child day care centers, licensed group and /or family day care centers, employees of the Department of Children and Families or the Department of Public Health if responsible for licensing day care centers homes or youth camps or the Office of Child Advocate and the Child Advocate.

  Any person so identified who in the course of his or her employment or profession has reasonable cause to believe or suspect that a child has been abused or neglected or has been inflicted with nonaccidental injuries or is at imminent risk of serious harm must report or cause a report to be made in accordance with state law. Violation of the law will result in a monetary fine and required participation in an educational and training program. See Connecticut General Statutes Sections 17-101(b); 17a-101a.