The United States government is facing legal claims claiming some migrant children who were separated at the U.S. border were sexually abused while staying in federally funded foster care homes.
When migrants are detained at the U.S. border, authorities separate children from their families. Some of those kids end up in foster care as an alternative to border detention facilities. Although foster care can be a more humane option, there is an ongoing investigation by The Associated Press and the PBS series “Frontline” claiming that this may not always be the case.
The Associated Press has so far reviewed 38 legal claims. The families are making these allegations under the Federal Tort Claims Act before filing lawsuits. The act holds the federal government responsible as a self-insurer and forces it to recognize liability for the negligent or wrongful acts of its employees acting in their official capacity. The allegations state that the young children were mistreated in the foster care sites, including allegations of sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
According to The Associate Press, these FTCA legal claims could end up costing taxpayers more than $200 million.
The Impact of the Child Victims Act
In February 2019, New York passed the Child Victims Act, which allows survivors of child sexual abuse until the age of 55 to file a civil lawsuit against their attackers and the institutions that protected them, even if it was the United States federal government.
The law also allows the victims of child sexual abuse a one-time “look back” window of opportunity to file civil claims where the statute of limitations has already passed. This means you have from August 14, 2020 until August 14, 2021 to file a sex abuse related action against the appropriate defendants regardless of when it happened.
Hire a New York Child Victims Act Attorney Who Has Experience!
The goal of the Child Victims Act is to allow victims of child sexual abuse to seek the justice they deserve. As a victim, you need to pursue this hard-won right with the help of an experienced New York CVA attorney who has the experience in getting you the full justice that you deserve.
The legal team at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. understands the impact child sexual abuse has on victims’ lives and the lives of their loved ones. Jeff S. Korek, senior partner and lead trial at GLK, has represented numerous families with children who have been abused in foster care. We have held multiple foster care agencies in New York, including government agencies, accountable for their actions. We are currently representing victims of abuse at national chain stores who have been sexually abused by security personnel. We are also representing school-age children who have been sexually abused by sports coaches and educators at well-known New York state institutions.
We will do our best to explain to victims their rights under the new Child Victims Act. Our legal team is specifically trained in the nuances and sensitivities that go along with representing victims of these heinous crimes. We are committed to the relentless pursuit of justice to those who are deserving. We will spare no resource or expense —-we have dedicated our firm and our attorneys and staff to the cause.
NYC Child Sex Abuse Attorney
If you or a loved one has been the victim of child sexual abuse, including by the Boy Scouts of America, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Although no amount of money will undo the harm caused, it can bring a sense of justice and closure for victims. For more information or to consult with an experienced NYC child sex abuse attorney, please call Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. at 1-646-798-1535.
