Attention pennsylvania sexual abuse survivors: On August 14, 2019, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in favor of a sexual abuse victim suing the Roman Catholic Church for covering up her sexual abuse. In Rice v. Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Ms. Renee Rice claimed that she was sexually abused by a priest in the 1970’s. She charged the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown with fraud, constructive fraud, and civil conspiracy. Normally, Ms. Rice’s claim would have been dismissed, because her time limits to file a claim expired. However, because she JUST learned of the conspiracy in 2016 and that her abuse was hidden, she was able to seek justice for her abuse. She only learned of the abuse cover-up after the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General released a grand jury report in 2016 listing the details of how the diocese covered up child sex abuse.
If sufficient facts prove that a confidential relationship existed between you and an institution, and that resulted in your abuse being falsely concealed, then the statute of limitations do not apply to your case.
This landmark case may mean you have a second chance to get justice for your sexual abuse. From this case, THREE OTHER cases that would have been barred by time limits have been allowed to proceed in Pennsylvania!
