$3 Million Verdict Awarded in Historic Child Sexual Abuse Case
A New Jersey jury has awarded $3 million to a survivor of child sexual abuse, marking a significant moment for justice under the Child Victims Act.
A New Jersey civil jury has delivered a $3 million verdict in a landmark child sexual abuse case against a former Margate City lifeguard, Steven Allen Chasens. The verdict, consisting of $1.75 million in compensatory damages and $1.25 million in punitive damages, comes after a five-day trial where the victim, Rachel Neufeld-Del Rossi, detailed the abuse she endured starting at the age of 15 in 1979.
The evidence presented during the trial included letters, cards, photos, and plane tickets, illustrating how Chasens groomed and abused Neufeld-Del Rossi in New Jersey and transported her to locations such as Florida and the Cayman Islands for continued abuse. Despite Chasens' denial of the allegations, the jury found him responsible for sexual battery, violations of the New Jersey Human Trafficking Act, and intentionally inflicting harm.
Jeffrey Fritz, the attorney representing Neufeld-Del Rossi from the firm Soloff & Zervanos, praised the jury for their decision, emphasizing the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for child sexual abuse. Neufeld-Del Rossi expressed her relief and vindication, highlighting the significance of the verdict for survivors everywhere and the role of the Child Victims Act in enabling her to seek justice decades after the abuse occurred.
This case underscores the critical importance of legal mechanisms like the Child Victims Act, which allow survivors of child sexual abuse to pursue accountability and justice, regardless of the time that has passed. The verdict not only provides a measure of justice for Neufeld-Del Rossi but also sends a powerful message about society's intolerance for such crimes and the enduring strength of survivors.