Mormon Church Named in Sex Abuse Lawsuit
Mormon Church named in sex abuse lawsuit. A court in Riverside County recently awarded damages to a woman who, as a child was sexually assaulted by her stepfather. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was also named in the lawsuit. A panel in Riverside County Superior Court awarded the woman $2.3 billion. The woman, who is identified only as Jane Doe, is now an adult and was sexually abused from the ages of 5 through 14, according to a statement from her attorney.
It may be possible to hold individuals financially responsible for child sexual abuse in California. For help, call the California child sexual abuse attorney at Beck Law P.C.
Sexual Abuse Occurred on Mormon Church Property
The lawsuit alleged that the girl was sexually abused as a girl by her own stepfather. The abuse occurred in their home in Lake Elsinore and at meetings and other events on the property of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints. According to the account, the woman was on the verge of suicide because of the sexual abuse she suffered as a child. The lawsuit named not only the stepfather but also the church. The woman’s mother was also a party to the lawsuit because she allegedly knew about the abuse but did not report it nor keep her daughter safe.
The woman stated that she told church officials, including local bishops, about the ongoing abuse, but they did nothing. Further, they engaged in “intimidation and shaming tactics” to prevent the woman from telling anyone else about the sexual abuse. The woman’s stepfather was arrested and convicted of lewd acts with a child under the age of 14 in 1997 after the woman told her high school basketball coach about the abuse. The stepfather served three years in state prison.
Mormon Church Denies Wrongdoing
While the Mormon church denied any wrongdoing, they did settle their part of the lawsuit for $1 million this past December. The woman’s mother, who was also named in the lawsuit, settled for $200,000 in February of this year. The stepfather did not appear at the recent trial and did not take part. Neither the stepfather nor his attorney commented regarding the lawsuit award.
Child Sexual Abuse Can Result in Lasting Emotional Scars
In this case, the woman suffered devastating and lasting emotional harm due to the ongoing sexual abuse she suffered as a child. Although she was awarded a significant sum of money, there is no amount of compensation that can heal a woman who has suffered such serious abuse. It is particularly harmful because some of the abuse occurred on church property, and she reported it to church officials.
If you or your child suffered sexual abuse, report the matter to the police. You will also need to speak to an attorney. Your lawyer will review the situation, gather evidence, and seek compensation and justice for wrongdoers. There are time limits to filing a civil claim, so it is best to talk to an attorney as soon as possible. It is important to remember that you can bring a civil lawsuit against the party or parties who caused harm or were negligent in the situation. Contact our California sexual abuse lawyer at Beck Law at (707) 576-7175 to request a consultation.
