MD Public to See Most of AG Sex Abuse Report
A municipal judge ruled that people have a right to see a redacted version of a 456-page Attorney General probe into alleged sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
To balance things, people who were named in the report that did not have a chance to defend themselves in front of a grand jury may object to the release of information that implicates them. These individuals include people who were not previously identified in civil or criminal actions or in published reports from the archdiocese itself and people who were identified solely based on information gleaned from subpoenas of the archdiocese.
The yet-to-be-released report identifies 158 Catholic priests accused of sexual abuse, including 43 that were never publicly named by the Archdiocese of Baltimore, as part of a four-year investigation into child sexual abuse by members of the clergy. The investigation also identified more than 600 victims of sexual abuse over the past 80 years.
Did the State Unfairly Target the Archdiocese?
Obviously, since we represent victims, our Baltimore sex abuse lawyers believe the answer to this question is “no.” Nevertheless, let’s take a closer look at this controversial issue.
The statute of limitations is a rather arbitrary cutoff point that must protect the interests of victims and tortfeasors (wrongful actors). A victim should have a day in court, and tortfeasors should not have to look over their shoulders.
In most cases, a two-year injury claim statute of limitations is a fair place to draw that line. Sexual abuse matters are not most cases.
Most personal injuries are outside-in injuries. Broken bones and other physical injuries have few inside effects if doctors promptly and properly treat them. Sexual abuse is usually an inside-out injury. By the time serious anger, depression, and other such symptoms appear, the brain is already badly damaged.
In other words, the injuries are worse and take longer to become apparent. More on sexual abuse injury severity below.
Additionally, recovered memory sex abuse victims are not gaming the system. No one wants to live with depression and other such symptoms. These victims simply cannot remember what happened to them, or at least they cannot remember enough to put together a claim for damages.
That level of knowledge takes many years of therapy. Psychologists must tap into existing memories. That is the easy part. The hard part is convincing these victims that it is okay to share these memories. Subconsciously, many sex abuse victims blame themselves, especially following same-gender sexual abuse.
All these things take time, which is why sexual abuse victims need and deserve more time to partner with a Baltimore personal injury attorney.
Sexual Abuse Damages
Sexual violence causes physical injuries, especially in young children whose bodies are still developing. Growth multiplies the effect of injuries like genital trauma. As children grow, the malformation and injury become permanent.
Furthermore, the worst aspects of these injuries quickly heal. That may sound like a good thing, but it is not. Since doctors do not see these injuries during routine examinations, they do not follow up. The smaller physical injuries continue to fester, as do the emotional injuries.
Even worse, sexual abuse causes emotional and mental trauma. We mentioned depression and anger above. Making matters worse, these victims do not know why they are angry or depressed. Instead, they are stuck in a downward mental health spiral that seems endless.
As a result, these victims usually need ongoing physical and mental healthcare. Fortunately, compensation for these medical bills, and other economic losses, is available in court. Compensation for noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering, is available as well. Everyone deserves a chance to put their pasts behind them and move on.
Work With a Compassionate Baltimore Lawyer for Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Injury victims are entitled to significant compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced sexual abuse survivor lawyer in Baltimore, contact The Yost Legal Group any time at 1-800-967-8529. Our Baltimore-based attorneys will fight to get survivors of sexual abuse the justice and compensation they deserve.