For decades, various non-profit and religious organizations in first-world countries have operated with the purpose of financially supporting children in impoverished areas of the world through the “sponsorship” of individual donors. However, like any organization dedicated to the welfare of children, there are unfortunately opportunities within programs of this nature for people to engage in sexual misconduct with vulnerable minors, or sometimes with other staff members and volunteers also performing work for the program.
If you experienced sexual abuse in a child sponsorship or international charity program, Phillips Law Group can help you explore your options for filing civil suit against your abuser(s) and the people who failed to prevent them from harming you. Depending on the circumstances, you may have grounds to demand substantial compensation for the harm you have unjustly sustained, and our sexual abuse lawyers can help you pursue the best possible outcome from your unique claim.
Regardless of what circumstances it occurs under or what the relationship between abuser and survivor was, a person who experiences sexual abuse is never to blame for the illegal actions they endured, and a person who commits an act of sexual abuse is always at fault for their own behavior. However, when sexual abuse occurs in the context of an international charity program such as a child sponsorship organization, various other parties may hold civil liability for damages stemming from that abuse as well.
In addition to organizers, supervisors, and other staff members within the program itself, it may also be possible to file suit against third parties who failed to report suspected sexual abuse to law enforcement in accordance with their duties as legally mandated reporters. A member of the Phillips Law Group can discuss the best route forward for a particular potential claim during a free, no-obligation consultation.
In recognition of the lifelong effects of sexual abuse and the difficulty many survivors face with coming forward about what was done to them, most states in America have significantly lengthened the amount of time that survivors of sexual abuse have to file suit against their abusers. However, different deadlines apply depending on whether a prospective plaintiff was a minor child at the time of their abuser or whether they were over the age of 18 at that time.
Generally speaking, survivors of child sexual abuse have substantially longer to file suit than adult survivors do—sometimes several years, sometimes several decades, and in a few states the entirety of the rest of their lives. Once again, Phillips Law Group can provide clarification about what deadlines would apply to a particular claimant and how best to go about filing suit over sexual abuse within an international charity and/or child sponsorship program.
While in-person visits between sponsors contributing to international aid programs and the children they are supporting are fairly rare, even one instance of abuse is far too many. Fortunately, charitable organizations can be held civilly liable for negligently or knowingly failing to properly address sexual misconduct under their watch, just like any other type of organization could be.
Working with experienced legal counsel will almost certainly be key to achieving a favorable outcome from your lawsuit over sexual abuse in a child sponsorship and/or international charity program. Call Phillips Law Group to set up an initial meeting.
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