Most parents would say that the safety of their children is their number one priority. Keeping them out of harm’s way is paramount, so they work hard to vet the people their kids interact with and help ensure they’re with trusted friends and family—and that may include a church priest, minister, or pastor.
However, according to Consumer Safety, over 5,300 priests and other members of the clergy have been accused of sexually abusing children, and California reported 607 priests accused of sexual abuse—the highest number in the U.S.
Our sexual abuse lawyers at Case Barnett Law know that survivors of church sexual abuse face a difficult and challenging journey. This type of abuse shatters religious trust, negatively impacts relationships, and can change a person’s perspectives about safety. There have been many sexual abuse cases in California, including the alleged misconduct of an associate pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Downey and Saint Louis of France Catholic Church in La Puente.
While seeking justice for the abuse isn’t easy, we provide thoughtful, compassionate legal representation to victims of sexual abuse. Here, we discuss how we can help offer a pathway to accountability for the perpetrator and compensation for you.
How Church Sexual Abuse Impacts Children
When a now-adult survivor of church sexual abuse finds the courage to speak about the abuse after many years of silence, it’s an act of courage. The damage done by this abuse is, in many instances, irreparable and leaves scars on its victims for life. Religious leaders who use their institutions to shield their abusive behavior create a complex trauma for survivors in the following ways:
Crisis of Faith
When abuse happens in a religious setting or from a religious leader, survivors often experience a spiritual crisis. Their faith is shaken at its very core, and the institution they turned to for guidance becomes the source of deep emotional injury. Many abuse survivors question their faith, become disconnected from their religious communities, and/or feel abandoned by God and the place where they felt safe. This can cause psychological damage and disrupt their religious beliefs forever.
Feelings of Isolation
For some people, a church or a religious community is like a family. Each can serve as a support system and a network of social contacts. Survivors of abuse often feel isolated if this religious community protects the abuser, does not believe the accuser, or victim-shames. Some survivors may lose their social connections when they need them most.
Lost Trust in Authority Figures
Leaders of the church are often trusted authority figures who are loved and respected by the religious community they serve. An authority figure who betrays the trust of a parishioner can damage that person’s confidence, belief, and/or faith in those who assume any authoritative role. This can include doctors, people who work in schools, and managers at work.
Psychological Issues
Survivors of church sexual abuse often experience a variety of medical conditions that can range from anxiety and depression to post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal thoughts. The psychological impact of sexual abuse can present right away or years later. Without the right kind of treatment, survivors of abuse may battle with feelings of self-blame, guilt, and shame.
Strained Relationships
Family relationships are often damaged due to church sexual abuse. Often, the survivor finds it difficult to maintain healthy relationships with partners and family members. Parents might blame themselves for allowing their child to have contact with the clergy member who abused them. Siblings might be scared about the incident and worry as they start to understand abuse for the first time. This type of strain can cause the survivor to feel isolated from the people they need most.
CA Church Sexual Abuse: Legal Options for Survivors
California has several laws that help sexual abuse survivors and create a variety of avenues to seek justice. These include the following:
- California allows survivors to hold religious institutions accountable—not just the abuser. If the institution negligently hired an abuser, failed to do a background check, or ignored warning signs and statements from other parishioners, it could be held liable. By making the institution accountable, systemic issues that enable abuse may be curtailed.
- California extended the statute of limitations for filing criminal and civil lawsuits for sexual abuse. In 2020, the California Child Victims Act went into effect, allowing survivors to file civil lawsuits until age 40, or within five years of discovering psychological injuries from childhood abuse. The extension recognizes that many abuse survivors need decades to process their trauma before they’re ready and able to pursue a lawsuit.
- California courts protect a survivor’s privacy when they’re in court. The victim may use a pseudonym in the court filing, records can be sealed, and confidentiality agreements can be signed. All of these protections help survivors pursue justice and closure without being retraumatized or facing public scrutiny.
- Survivors can pursue both criminal prosecution of the abuser and civil claims for monetary damages. While criminal cases focus on incarcerating the abuser, civil cases provide financial compensation to help survivors rebuild their lives.
Contact Case Barnett Law if You’re a Sexual Abuse Survivor
If you want to pursue compensation for church sexual abuse, it’s important to have legal representation. Our attorneys at Case Barnett Law understand that there are benefits to having our legal team represent you. We understand that you’ve gone through a traumatic experience, and we bring compassion and sensitivity to your special circumstances. We want you to feel that you’re in a safe environment to explain what happened and discuss your case.
Additionally, our experienced attorneys will gather evidence in your church abuse case, even if years or decades have passed since the incident. We work to locate church records, talk to witnesses, and look to see if there’s an institutional pattern of negligence.
The attorneys at Case Barnett Law are strong litigators, but most sexual abuse cases are settled rather than taken to trial. We know how to negotiate effectively with church insurance companies and defense attorneys to help ensure you obtain fair compensation. However, if your case does go to trial, we will be thoroughly prepared, and we’ll explain what you can expect in court. Our goal is to make you feel as comfortable and safe as possible as you share your experience as we work together to obtain a fair settlement.