ExtremeRavens Posted February 8 Posted February 8 The massage therapists accusing Ravens kicker Justin Tucker of sexual misconduct could have difficulty in suing him or pursuing criminal charges, if they choose to do so, but it’s still important that they came forward, according to legal and mental health experts. Tucker is accused of acting inappropriately with at least nine massage therapists at four luxury spas and wellness centers in the Baltimore area, “exposing his genitals, brushing two of them with his exposed penis, and leaving what they believed to be ejaculate on the massage table after three of his treatments.” The incidents, first reported by The Baltimore Banner, are alleged to have occurred between 2012 and 2016. Tucker has denied the allegations, calling them “unequivocally false.” Lawsuits must typically be filed within three years of the occurrence in question. There are some limited exceptions for extra time if evidence is found later that no reasonable person could have discovered by the filing deadline, according to Thomas J. Maronick Jr., a local defense attorney not involved in the case. “One of the most difficult areas of this for any attorney is trying to find a way around the statute of limitations,” Maronick said. “You really have to have a good reason as to why no suit was filed sooner.” Nonetheless, the therapists could still file a civil lawsuit based on the conduct Tucker is accused of exhibiting and its alleged contribution to creating an uncomfortable workplace environment for the women. “Under any circumstances, he allegedly was doing things that were totally inappropriate, and the allegation that they didn’t want to work with him at all, if that were true, that’s clearly something they could sue Tucker and/or the establishments,” Maronick said. “There could be a lot of potential lawsuits particularly if the establishments knew about it or should have known about it and didn’t take appropriate action. It seems as though the establishments took action and removed the therapists from working on him.” Michael Belsky, an attorney representing some of the massage therapists, declined to comment. Many victims of sexual misconduct come forward not for compensation, but because they want the issue to be exposed and for people to know about what happened to them, according to David Ellin, a local plaintiff attorney who is not involved in the case. “We hear that all of the time from clients: ‘I want this out there because I want to make sure this doctor doesn’t do this again, this salon doesn’t do this again, this driver doesn’t do this again,'” Ellin said. LaKeita Carter, CEO of the Institute for HEALing in Owings Mills, said the women showed courage by coming forward with the allegations because they were opening themselves up to scrutiny and making public what was, if true, a difficult time in their lives. It can be challenging to make allegations against a likable high-profile person, Carter said. The general public often doesn’t believe victims, she added. “Every allegation might be [viewed as] false,” Carter said. “Tucker is a beloved Baltimore Raven because he is the best kicker in the history of the NFL. People feel like they know him. They feel like they can trust him. That’s what also makes the allegation hard to come forward with.” One accuser who said she gave Tucker massages at the QG massage center said she feared going public with allegations against such a popular figure. “I’ve never been in a situation like that before,” the former massage therapist told The Baltimore Sun. “I didn’t want to be the first one. A friend told me, ‘You’ll be the most hated woman in Baltimore.’” She continued: “He was a high-end client. … I really needed the job, I was a single mother. I made good money there. I was young and naive.” Holly Ann Schiff, a clinical psychologist at South County Psychiatry in Rhode Island, said that for many victims, speaking out can provide relief from something that has burdened them for some time. Speaking out may also give others the courage to come forward, something that creates a larger conversation, she said. Coming forward also can help provide a sense of psychological closure and to let go of any lingering guilt or shame that might have kept them from sharing their story earlier. For some, “they are finally releasing the weight of the secret they have been carrying,” Schiff said. “They are also reclaiming their voice and their story, which can be quite empowering. Coming forward is also part of the healing process. Sharing their truth can validate their experiences, help emotionally resolve some trauma and offers the opportunity to feel less isolated and actually acknowledged by others.” Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@baltsun.com or on X as @ToddKarpovich. View the full article Quote
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