New Jersey Jury Awards $3 Million to Survivor in Child Sexual Abuse Case
TL;DR
The $3 million verdict against Steven Allen Chasens sets a precedent for holding perpetrators accountable under the Child Victims Act, offering survivors a path to justice.
The jury awarded $3 million in damages, split between $1.75 million compensatory and $1.25 million punitive, based on evidence of grooming and abuse spanning four years.
This verdict empowers survivors by validating their experiences and underscores the importance of laws like the Child Victims Act in facilitating healing and justice.
A historic $3 million verdict was reached in a child sexual abuse case, highlighting the enduring impact of the Child Victims Act on survivors' lives.
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A jury in Atlantic County, New Jersey awarded $3 million to Rachel Neufeld-Del Rossi, a survivor of child sexual abuse by former Margate City lifeguard Steven Allen Chasens. The verdict included $1.75 million in compensatory damages and $1.25 million in punitive damages after a five-day trial that detailed the prolonged abuse Neufeld-Del Rossi endured from age 15. Evidence presented during the trial included letters, cards, photos, and plane tickets that illustrated 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. Neufeld-Del Rossi expressed her relief and vindication, acknowledging 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 legislation like the Child Victims Act, which allows survivors of child sexual abuse to pursue legal action regardless of how much time has passed. The verdict not only represents a personal victory for Neufeld-Del Rossi but also serves as a beacon of hope for other survivors seeking justice. The New Jersey Human Trafficking Act provides important legal avenues for survivors whose abuse involved transportation across state or international lines, as demonstrated in this case where evidence showed travel to Florida and the Cayman Islands.
The $3 million award sends a strong message about the severity of child sexual abuse and the legal system's capacity to address historical cases. By combining compensatory damages for the harm suffered with punitive damages intended to punish the perpetrator and deter similar conduct, the verdict addresses both the survivor's needs and broader societal concerns. This outcome demonstrates how legal frameworks can evolve to better serve justice for survivors who may need years or decades to come forward about their experiences.
Curated from 24-7 Press Release
