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A woman sexually assaulted by an Ohio pastor when she was 15 years old is asking the state Supreme Court to boost the amount of damages paid by the church where the minister worked.

Attorneys for the woman and her father say a state law that limits noneconomic damages to $350,000 violates the constitutional rights of underage victims of sexual assault.

They argue that sexual abuse is typically more emotionally damaging than physical injury and sexually abused minors often spend years dealing with the trauma.

Attorneys for Grace Brethren Church of Delaware in central Ohio argue the limits placed on noneconomic damages create a fairer and predictable civil justice system.

They also say distinguishing between sexual abuse and physical injury isn’t arbitrary or unreasonable.

Topics Ohio