NEW JERSEY
Philadelphia Inquirer
Barbara Boyer, Inquirer Staff Writer
POSTED: Monday, July 29, 2013
A recent decision by a federal judge not to dismiss a lawsuit against the Diocese of Camden for allegedly concealing the history of a priest accused of molesting three young girls has been hailed as a significant legal advance for abuse victims.
U.S. District Judge Noel Hillman in late June denied a diocese request to dismiss the case. Part of the diocese’s argument was that the statute of limitations had long expired. Hillman instead ruled that the case brought by Lisa Shanahan, 44, warrants consideration because New Jersey law has exceptions for the statute of limitations that typically expires when a child-abuse victim turns 20.
Victim advocates say the decision is one of two in Camden federal court that show alleged victims of sexual assault are starting to win legal challenges previously lost because of New Jersey’s narrow window for suing.
“We are pleased with the decision. It opens the door for us to get documents and evidence,” said Miami lawyer Adam Horowitz, who represents Shanahan and specializes in church litigation. “We want to know what [the church] knew, and when they knew it.”
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