Clergy Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Clergy Child sexual abuse is one of the most serious situations possible. Sexual abuse is a form of child abuse and can occur in a number of different places and by people in various positions. When your child attends church, Sunday school, or parochial school, you expect that they will be safe from harm. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case.
In recent years, a number of clergy child sexual abuse lawsuits have been brought against members of the clergy as well as the institutions themselves. A victim of child sexual abuse has the right to file a lawsuit against the perpetrator or the church.
If you would like more information about filing a child sexual abuse lawsuit against a clergy member or a church, the California child sexual abuse lawyer at Beck Law can help. Reach out today to learn more.
About Clergy Sex Abuse
Abuse by members of the clergy is not uncommon. Over the last ten years, many instances of clergy sexual abuse have come to light. Most of these cases occurred years ago. In a number of cases, the victims are boys under the age of 14. Sadly, instances of child sexual abuse are usually not a one-time occurrence. Molestation can take place over a number of weeks, months, or even years. Often, clergy are looked up to, and children may be afraid to report the incidents. Also, perpetrators use grooming techniques to prey on those that are the most vulnerable.
Can I File a Lawsuit Against a Religious Institution?
While the perpetrator is responsible for their actions, the religious institution may also be held responsible. In some of these types of cases, the church administrators or others knew of the abuse but did nothing about it. In some instances, the church actually took steps to cover up the problem. For example, the priest, minister, or pastor may have been moved to a different church in a different city. Sometimes, the abuse continued to occur in their new location. It is important to note that church officials and others are required to report allegations of abuse to authorities rather than ignore it or cover it up.
Recent Clergy Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuits in California
In the last several years, a large number of people have come forward to file sexual abuse lawsuits against churches and clergy in California. By far, the majority of abuse victims have been involved in the Roman Catholic church. At least 3,000 lawsuits have been filed so far, and more are likely to be filed against California Catholic dioceses. Of the 12 Roman Catholic dioceses in California, at least four have thus far filed for bankruptcy due in part to the sexual abuse allegations and lawsuits against them.
Millions of dollars have already been provided to some victims in various lawsuit settlements across the state. Victims may file a lawsuit against a religious institution in cases where they failed to do anything about an alleged clergy abuser.
The law allows adult victims of clergy child sexual abuse an extended period of time to file a claim. This means that even if you are an adult, you may still be able to file a claim if you suffered sexual abuse as a child in some cases. To learn more about how to take action and seek the compensation you deserve, contact us at California Child Sexual Abuse Attorney – Beck Law at (707) 576-7175 for a confidential consultation.
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