According to three lawsuits recently filed in Hackensack, N.J., several teachers associated with a competitive Irish dancing organizations have been accused of sexually abusing young boys.

Sexual Abuse Survivors File Hackensack Irish Dancing Lawsuits

The three lawsuits were filed by several sexual abuse survivors who were affiliated with a competitive Irish dancing school. Two instructors at the unnamed school are named in the lawsuit, including one who is deceased.

According to the three plaintiffs, the abuse perpetrated by the instructors occurred between 1986 and 2006. In addition to detailing their own abuse from these instructors, the plaintiffs claim that one of the instructors would also openly solicit sex with minors online.

Irish Central reports that all of the plaintiffs are unnamed and are referred to as Jack Doe, John Doe and Pat Doe, to protect their anonymity.

According to one of the plaintiffs, the instructor who abused him bought him and other minors alcohol in 2016 during a regional Irish dance competition in Florida. After giving him alcohol, the instructor allegedly separated the plaintiff from other members of the dance organization and began to kiss and fondle the plaintiff despite the plaintiff’s protests.

Another plaintiff claims that he was abused by an instructor multiple times during private lessons, at hotels during competitions, and at private homes. This abuse allegedly occurred several decades ago.

The plaintiffs claim that the abuse they endured caused them to suffer from additional problems, including substance abuse, social isolation, low self esteem, relationship and intimacy problems, suicidal ideation, emotional trauma, and insecurity, as well as the costs of counseling, lost wages, and medical expenses.

The plaintiffs were able to file their lawsuits under a recent New Jersey law allowing sexual abuse survivors whose cases had expired under previous sexual abuse laws to reopen their cases. This new law updated New Jersey’s statute of limitations in cases of childhood sexual assault to allow victims the right to pursue charges against their abusers until the age of 55, or within seven years of realizing that the abuse caused them harm.

Additionally, the law opened up a two-year look-back window for cases that had already expired. This look-back window opened on Dec. 1, and multiple lawsuits have already been filed under it by sexual abuse survivors. Dozens of lawsuits were filed by sexual abuse survivors within minutes of the look-back window at 12:01 on Dec. 1.

While many of these lawsuits have been filed against Catholic Church clergy members, others have been filed against instructors associated with dance and athletic organizations, after school programs, the Boy Scouts of America, schools, and other organizations. Other states including New York and California have also expanded the statutes of limitations for childhood victims of abuse.

Sexual abuse survivors may be eligible to hire a qualified attorney and file a class action lawsuit under New Jersey’s updated sexual abuse laws. In addition to pursuing compensation, lawsuits may also hold abusers accountable and prevent them from perpetrating future abuses.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.