California Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Attorney
Child sexual abuse is an unimaginable violation that leaves lasting scars on its victims. When the abuser is a trusted religious leader, the emotional and psychological damage can be profoundly amplified.
The betrayal of trust by someone who represents faith, morality, and guidance can shatter a child's ability to feel secure and supported. For survivors, this trauma often reverberates across a lifetime, affecting relationships, self-esteem, and mental health.
Catholic churches in California have received a lot of media attention in recent years, and numerous articles have highlighted cases of Church sexual abuse.
In 2020, there was a list of dioceses in California in which a credibly accused abuser has served in their church, which revealed hundreds of clergy sexual assault perpetrators.
Despite the media coverage that the Catholic church has received, clergy abuse in California extends beyond Catholic priests. It is also perpetrated by rabbis, non-denominational pastors, elders of Jehovah's Witnesses, and Yeshivas.
Childhood sexual abuse sometimes involves lewd or lascivious conduct with a minor under the age of 14, such as sharing pornographic images, exposing oneself, or masturbating in their presence.
This can have lasting emotional consequences for the survivor. Perhaps you were manipulated into keeping quiet or convinced by the perpetrator that the sexual abuse or misconduct is ordinary. Survivors of this type of conduct often suffer in silence and are shamed into believing they were complicit in the crime committed against them.
Holding Sexual Perpetrators Accountable
At Injury Justice Law Firm, we understand the immense courage it takes for survivors of child sexual abuse to come forward. Our firm is dedicated to providing a voice for survivors and holding not only the perpetrators but also the institutions that enable such abuse accountable.
Our team understands that many cases of abuse within religious organizations, including Catholic dioceses, often involve systemic negligence, complicity, or outright coverups.
Survivors have the right to seek justice and pursue civil claims not just against their abusers but also against the institutions that allowed the abuse to happen. Seeking justice is not just a right but a powerful step towards healing and closure.
Importantly, California has recently removed the statute of limitations for filing civil claims in child sexual abuse cases. This significant change in the law empowers survivors, giving them the opportunity to seek justice regardless of when the abuse occurred.
In 2020, the California legislature passed the Child Victims Act, which enacted changes to give survivors of childhood sexual assault greater access to justice. Previously, the State required claims against perpetrators to be brought before the age of 26.
Under the new law, you have until your 40th birthday or 22 years from the age of majority to seek damages. In addition, the legislature acknowledged that you may not discover the lingering psychological effects of childhood abuse until after the age of 40.
Suppose you survived sexual abuse from a deceased priest. In that case, you may be able to hold other individuals liable, including other employees, volunteers who worked at the church, or even the local Dioceses or Archdiocese.
If a church member knew or should have known about the abuse and did not stop or prevent it, they can be held responsible. Under the 2020 law, if your lawyer can show that the abuser or institution covered up your childhood sexual abuse, you may recover up to three times the damages from the person or institution who is found responsible.
Some archdioceses have a history of moving a sexual abuser to another position in response to an abuse allegation rather than reporting the person to authorities. This allows the abuser to continue holding positions that allow them to perpetuate further abuse. It's important to hold accountable not just abusers but all those who enabled the abuse.
The Frequency of Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church and Other Orders
Reports of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church and other religious organizations have been pervasive for decades. Numerous investigations and lawsuits have revealed the widespread nature of the problem, implicating thousands of clergy members across the globe.
Research indicates that tens of thousands of children have suffered abuse at the hands of priests, ministers, deacons, and other figures of religious authority. In California alone, there were more than 3000 active sexual abuse cases against the Catholic Church as of May 2023.
Beyond the Catholic Church, similar allegations have surfaced in other religious orders and institutions. Schools, seminaries, and religious programs often serve as environments where abusers exploit their positions of trust and power.
Tragically, the hierarchical and insular nature of many religious organizations can foster environments where abuse is hidden or dismissed to protect the institution's reputation.
Abuse frequently continues for years or decades because institutions fail to take meaningful action. Instead of reporting alleged abusers to secular authorities, some organizations have relocated offenders, concealed complaints, or silenced victims.
These tactics perpetuate harm and leave children vulnerable to continued abuse. Filing a civil lawsuit not only helps hold these organizations accountable but can also deter future negligence and complicity.
When Can the Organization Be Held Liable for Child Sexual Abuse?
While individual perpetrators are directly responsible for their crimes, religious organizations can also be held legally accountable if they play a role in enabling or failing to prevent the abuse. Civil claims against organizations often center on negligence, which may include the following circumstances:
- Failure to Screen or Supervise: If an organization hired or placed a known or suspected abuser in a position of authority, it can be liable. This includes failing to conduct adequate background checks.
- Ignoring Complaints: Religious entities may have received complaints about child sexual abuse but failed to investigate or take action. Ignoring or dismissing these complaints can indicate gross negligence.
- Coverups: Actively concealing abuse-such as relocating accused clergy or discouraging victims from speaking out further implicates the organization.
- Creating an Unsafe Environment: Some organizations fostered environments where misconduct was tolerated or overlooked, increasing the risk of abuse.
California law allows survivors to bring civil claims against Catholic dioceses and other religious institutions under these and similar circumstances. These lawsuits aim not only to hold organizations accountable but also to expose systemic failures that endanger children.
By working with our experienced sexual abuse injury attorney, survivors can build a strong case targeting institutional culpability. Our team is highly skilled in investigating complex claims of abuse, gathering critical evidence, and advocating for our clients' rights.
What Damages Can Victims Pursue?
Civil claims for child sexual abuse are not just about seeking compensation-they are a crucial part of the healing process. They provide survivors with a sense of justice and recognition for the harm they endured.
Survivors may be able to pursue a range of damages through a civil lawsuit, including compensation for medical expenses, therapy costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Economic Damages: These include measurable expenses such as medical bills, therapy costs, and lost wages due to the impact of the abuse.
- Non-Economic Damages: These damages address the emotional and psychological harm suffered by survivors. They include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and trauma-related disorders.
- Punitive Damages: These are awarded to punish particularly egregious negligence or misconduct by an organization. Punitive damages also serve as a deterrent to prevent similar actions in the future.
Survivors often face unique hurdles, including feelings of shame, fear, or guilt, which can make coming forward deeply challenging. At Injury Justice Law Firm, our attorneys will handle the complexities of your case with professionalism and care.
We aim to achieve outcomes that reflect the gravity of the harm you've endured while helping you reclaim your voice.
When you file a lawsuit, you may help prevent new cases of abuse. We know that no amount of punishment will ever be enough to make up for your sexual abuse or assault.
However, by speaking up and taking legal action against the perpetrator, you can help prevent them from ever doing something similar to another person.
You might be able to recover financial compensation to help with your recovery. It can help you pay for medical bills or the cost of therapy and medications and assist you in moving forward with your life.
Our California sexual abuse lawyers can guide you in collecting evidence that will help explain all of what you've endured. Our law firm is based in Los Angeles. Contact us for additional information.
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