If You Or A Loved One Were Abused By James Zook, We Can Help.

Who Is James Zook? 

James Zook of Lancaster arrested on 329 counts of institutional sexual assault, 333 counts of indecent assault, and one count of disorderly conduct. Zook assaulted ten victims as a caretaker at a personal care facility, Faith Friendship Villa, for over 17 years. In what we know about serial predators, it is improbable that there are only ten victims. Sexual abuse of the elderly is one of the most pervasive, underreported, and least detected of all sexual abuse cases. 

Many elderly lack the verbal or cognitive ability to articulate the sexual abuse they are suffering. Others live in fear of reporting because of threats and dependency. Many skilled perpetrators will manipulate their victims into silence by threatening to withhold medication. Denial of services such as bathing and bathroom access, or an outright denial of care altogether. Even when family members suspect abuse, they fear reporting for fear their loved one will be removed from the care facility. This vulnerable population is at a unique risk for sexual abuse and exploitation. 

How Can A Civil Lawsuit Help Victims Seek Justice For The Trauma They Experienced?

There are many misunderstandings about why a survivor of sexual abuse would choose to file a civil lawsuit.   Child sexual abuse takes away so much from the survivors and families impacted. Our society still struggles to find ways to repair the harm done by individual perpetrators and institutions that have covered up child sexual abuse.  Outdated statutes of limitations across our country leave far too many survivors denied access to our criminal or civil justice courts.

Filing a civil case can be an essential step for survivors and their families in their journey to slowly rebuild their lives and create pathways to healing.  Motivation for filing a civil suit is often unfairly stereotyped as being “all about money. This couldn’t be further from the truth for survivors of child sexual abuse. The civil justice system offers victims more than just monetary benefits.  It gives survivors access to justice, validation, exposure, confrontation, and ultimately some resolution. The resolution allows survivors of sexual abuse to understand and process what happened and create a new path forward without confusion, questions, and fear.

Can I pursue a case against Faith Friendship Villa?

Yes. If you were victimized by James Zook while he was employed, you may have rights.