CHILD USA

Survivors Win in Louisiana—On Their Second Effort

Survivors Win in Louisiana—On Their Second Effort

VERDICT Justia

Big news for Louisiana survivors. The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled on June 12 that the state’s legislature acted constitutionally when it expanded the statute of limitations (in that state, called “prescriptions”) so that more survivors could sue their abusers in court. Statutes of limitations [SOLs] determine the time limits on when a case can be brought. The new ruling means the courts are open again to victims of sexual abuse.

Keep your eyes on Louisiana. Why? The Archdiocese of New Orleans filed for bankruptcy on May 1, 2020. The fear is that bankruptcy keeps victims’ cases from proceedings and protects the defendants instead of the survivors. We’re not sure yet if the archbishop will listen to the stories of the victims. Or of what will happen to the victims’ cases.

Throwing Down the Gauntlet on Social Media

Throwing Down the Gauntlet on Social Media

Firewall with Bradley Tusk

“Your obscene profits are not a good enough reason to let one more child die,” says Marci Hamilton, the CEO and founder of CHILD USA as a guest on this lively podcast with Bradley Tusk. If there’s one person harder on social-media moguls than Bradley, it’s Hamilton. She and Bradley talk about when and how lawmakers will finally clamp down on this “toxic universe.”

Attorneys of alleged YDC victims call for changes in settlement process

Attorneys of alleged YDC victims call for changes in settlement process

WMUR Manchester

Others who deal with child abuse cases said that any time victims perceive that they are being blamed, it ends up keeping them quiet. Marci Hamilton, founder and CEO of CHILD USA, said her child advocacy group had filed testimony as experts on such issues but isn’t involved in the case directly.

“What’s inexcusable is re-traumatizing these individuals,” she said.

Hundreds of people have sued the state, claiming they were abused as children at the Manchester facility between 1960 and 2018.

The Right’s Attack on Children

The Right’s Attack on Children

“Parental rights” are all the rage now in some quarters. But when parents gain rights, who loses them? Children.

Democracy Journal

Remember the Dark Ages in America for children? Child labor? No public schools? No vaccinations? Now, right-wing politicians, Christian nationalists, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are waging a multifront legislative campaign to bring back those Dark Ages. And they are succeeding.

A Philly lawyer for sexual abuse victims left his firm after an ex-client’s complaint was leaked

A Philly lawyer for sexual abuse victims left his firm after an ex-client’s complaint was leaked

The Phila Inquirer

Brian Kent left his firm after a confidential complaint lodged by a former client was publicized by a YouTuber called “The Rabbit.” The Inquirer has verified the authenticity of the document.

“We cannot stand by knowing that there appears to be a pattern of manipulative and abusive behavior by Kent toward vulnerable clients nationwide seeking to find validation and justice in the legal system,” said Marci Hamilton, Founder and CEO of CHILD USA. “What he has done is an abomination and must stop now.”

Lawmakers Seek Bankruptcy Law Changes for Child Sex Abuse Cases

Lawmakers Seek Bankruptcy Law Changes for Child Sex Abuse Cases

Bloomberg Law

Childhood victims of sex abuse would be given more tools to navigate the complexity of bankruptcies under a bipartisan proposal from House lawmakers.

Bill meant to give sex abuse victims more say in bankruptcy
Bipartisan measure still unlikely to advance in divided Congress