Lawyers for the Victims of Clergy Sexual Abuse
The lawyers and attorneys at our firm are currently offering free case evaluations to victims of clergy sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is always a devastating crime, but when it is committed by a trusted member of the clergy, it is especially wrenching. In many cases, religious leaders knew that some members of their clergy where habitual sexual predators of children. Yet, when faced with this fact, they did nothing. In some cases, they even covered up these crimes, moving guilty parties to new communities, and exposing hundreds of other children to sexual abuse.
Our clergy sexual abuse lawyers are committed to holding religious leaders accountable for their failure to protect children. While no amount of money can ever make up for the shattered lives left in the wake of this crime, appropriate compensation can help victims pay for the extensive therapy they often need to restore some sense of normalcy to their lives. The filing of a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit can also give victims a sense of empowerment, as such proceedings force religious leaders to listen to victims and acknowledge the harm that has been done.
Clergy Sexual Abuse in the Roman Catholic Church
Although clergy sexual abuse has been reported in nearly all religions and denominations, the Roman Catholic Church has been at the center of some of the most sensationalized clergy sexual abuse cases. In some instances, abusive priests were allowed to torment children for decades. Many Roman Catholic families involved in priest sexual abuse incidents held their priest in great esteem, and trusted them with the wellbeing of their children. When this trust was abused, and they approached church officials for help, they were often at best ignored. At worst, they were intimidated into staying silent. Often, abusive priests were simply moved from parish to parish to keep abuse allegations quiet.
In 2004, the John Jay College of Criminal Justice released a report of the scope of priest sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church that was commissioned by the US Bishops National Review Board. The John Jay report found that about 4 percent of US priests ministering from 1950 to 2002 were accused of sex abuse with a minor. The study said that 4,392 clergymen-almost all priests-were accused of abusing 10,667 people, with 75 percent of the incidents taking place between 1960 and 1984. For the entire 52-year period "the problem was indeed widespread and affected more than 95 percent of the dioceses and approximately 60 percent of religious communities," said the study.
The most staggering instance of priest sexual abuse and cover ups in the US occurred in the Boston Archdiocese. One priest, John J. Geoghan, molested hundreds of young Catholic school boys for over 20 years before he was convicted on criminal charges. For much of that time, the leaders of the Boston Archdiocese knew of Geoghan's appalling conduct, yet did little to stop him. To cover up Geoghan's conduct, church leaders moved him from parish to parish, maneuvers that only allowed the abuse to continue.
The list of Roman Catholic officials who apparently remained silent despite evidence that Geoghan was molesting children grew to include a cardinal, five bishops and several parish clergy, according to legal proceedings and public statements. This is often the case as many religious officials are known to have swept these allegations of abuse under the carpet for years.
The clergy sexual abuse scandal has resulted in massive settlements and rulings in favor of abuse victims. In 2007, the Los Angeles Archdiocese settled with 500 victims of clergy sexual abuse. The $660 million settlement was the largest church settlement of sexual abuse lawsuits to date. In 2002, the Boston Archdiocese agreed to pay a total of $157 million to 983 claimants in several different settlement agreements. The Archdiocese of Portland, Ore., agreed to pay $129 million to 315 claimants; the Diocese of Orange, Calif., agreed to pay $100 million to 90 claimants, and the Diocese of Covington, Ky., settled with 350 claimants for $85 million. Other cases are pending around the country, including in the Archdiocese of New York.
Consequences of Clergy Sexual Abuse
As traumatic as clergy sexual abuse is for children, the consequences of this crime do not end when the abuse ends. Adults who suffered abuse at the hands of clergy as children continue to be haunted by their predators. A 2005 study of adults in California who were sexual abuse victims that appeared in the "American Journal of Preventative Medicine" found that sexual abuse significantly increases the risk of developing health and social problems -- such as drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, and marital strife -- in both men and women. A history of suicide attempt was more than twice as likely among both male and female victims as among nonvictims. Similarly, sexually abused adults of both genders faced a 40 percent greater risk of marrying an alcoholic.
The clergy sexual abuse lawyers at our firm have seen how this crime damages its victims, and we are committed to making sure the religious officials who allowed it to occur are held accountable. Many victims of clergy sexual abuse do not ever consider bringing legal claims or even obtaining counseling. They carry too much shame and guilt; they still believe that it was somehow their fault.
Our clergy sexual abuse lawyers know this crime is never the fault of the victim. Holding clergy sexual abusers and their enablers responsible for the damage they do is necessary to protect other children from becoming victims. Insisting on accountability also can help victims regain a sense of control over their lives, especially when those who allowed clergy sexual abuse to occur finally acknowledge victims' suffering and their part in it.
Legal Help for Victims of Clergy Sexual Abuse
If you or someone you love was a victim of clergy sexual abuse, you have valuable legal rights. Please contact one of our experienced clergy sexual abuse lawyers by filling out our Free Consultation online form or calling us at 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636). We promise to treat your clergy sexual abuse case with the respect and compassion you deserve.
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