The recent Penn State sexual abuse scandal is part of a growing number of cases documenting inappropriate behavior between a trusted member of the community and a child. Sexual molestation that occurs during childhood can leave victims with severe psychological and physical damage. Reporting a case of sexual molestation can be extremely difficult for these victims as they are often too afraid or ashamed to speak out.

The Penn State University Grand Jury Report: PDF Format / Approx .1 MB

Legal Representation for Sexual Abuse Victims

Seeking legal counsel ensures that a victim of sexual assault can be provided the full protection and monetary damages afforded under the law. Slade McLaughlin & Paul Lauricella can assist those who have been sexually molested and ensure that their cases are treated with the respect and sensitivity required for sex crime lawsuits. McLaughlin is a nationally recognized expert on child sexual abuse and has recently been quoted in AP / USA Today – Wall Street Journal – Legal Newsline.

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 Your Safety – Your Rights

Proposed Legislation in Pennsylvania Would Allow Victims of Child Abuse to Pursue Legal Claims More than 2 Years After the Abuse Has Taken Place… Rep. Ron Marsico (R., Dauphin), Judiciary Committee Chair, has expressed opposition to this important pending legislation, citing constitutional concerns.

House Bill 832:

• Eliminates the statute of limitations for a number of enumerated criminal offenses involving child sexual abuse;
• Eliminates the statute of limitations in civil cases where the sexual abuse was the result of compulsion or threats made by the adult defendant to the child victim.

House Bill 878:

• Extends the statute of limitations in all civil cases not encompassed by House Bill 832 by allowing claims to be brought in court up to 32 years after the victim turns 18;
• Establishes a most important civil “window” which allows any suit that was previously barred from court solely on statute of limitations grounds to commence within the two year period of the “window.” (A suit previously brought and dismissed as being untimely could be revived upon petition and showing of newly discovered evidence, excusable neglect or other “extraordinary circumstances”).

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Cases involving sexual assault implicate numerous legal, emotional, and practical considerations. These cases often involve children or teens who been victimized by an individual who occupied a position of trust and confidence. The victims of these assaults suffer significant psychological trauma which, in turn, leads to drug and alcohol dependency, criminal behavior, and self-destructive acts. An attorney representing such a client must not only navigate the legal process, but must also serve as a confidant and counselor to a person who is already been victimized by those who occupied a position of confidence. The attorney must also coordinate the civil representation with any criminal prosecution. The maintenance of the civil action should complement, not complicate the criminal prosecution.

Slade McLaughlin and Paul Lauricella have substantial experience with such cases. Before he became a civil attorney, Paul Lauricella served as an assistant district attorney where he successfully prosecuted sex offenders, including a paroled rapist who victimized young women in multiple states. McLaughlin and Lauricella also represent victims in the sex abuse scandals that have engulfed the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Penn State.

Slade McLaughlin and Paul Lauricella have decades of experience handling cases such as these, and can counsel you with respect to your options.