Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
August 04, 2025

Former Lifeguard Ordered to Pay $3M in Landmark Child Abuse Case

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Original Source

TLDR

  • 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.

Impact - Why it Matters

This case underscores the critical role of legislation like the Child Victims Act in enabling survivors of childhood sexual abuse to seek justice, regardless of the time passed. It highlights the legal system's capacity to hold perpetrators accountable and the societal imperative to support survivors in their healing journey. The verdict not only provides closure for the victim but also sends a powerful message about the consequences of such heinous acts, potentially encouraging other survivors to come forward.

Summary

In a landmark verdict, a former lifeguard, Steven Allen Chasens, was ordered to pay $3 million in damages for the sexual abuse of Rachel Neufeld-Del Rossi, which began when she was 15 in 1979. The jury's decision, reached after a five-day trial in Atlantic County, included $1.75 million in compensatory and $1.25 million in punitive damages. The case, brought under the New Jersey Child Victims Act, highlighted the enduring trauma of sexual abuse and the importance of legal avenues for survivors seeking justice. Jeffrey Fritz of Soloff & Zervanos represented Del Rossi, praising the jury's decision and his client's bravery. Del Rossi expressed relief and vindication, emphasizing the verdict's significance for all survivors of abuse. Chasens, now an acupuncturist in Florida, was found guilty of sexual battery and violations under the New Jersey Human Trafficking Act.

Source Statement

This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Former Lifeguard Ordered to Pay $3M in Landmark Child Abuse Case

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