San Diego Church Sexual Assault Lawyer

In recent years, there has been a lot of attention on the child sexual abuse scandals coming from the Roman Catholic Church. Sexual abuse claims by children were ignored and covered up for decades, and the predators were protected throughout the globe. This has created quite a scandal, and rightly so. It’s important to remember, though, that any member of the clergy of any faith or denomination can perpetrate sexual assault.

Religious leaders hold a place of power and trust as they are to care for the churchgoers and lead them in faith. This role can confuse the clergy’s victims. They might feel they must lower emotional and physical boundaries and do the “will of God.” When a sexual assault victim is a child, they are more likely to trust and obey a priest. Children and those without religious knowledge cannot argue with the priest. Their stories are also less likely to garner public belief. For this reason, people who show confusion or insecurity in their faith are also targets for sexual predators in leadership roles.

Those who exploit their power to abuse others are sexual predators, and they do not stop at one assault. They will have many victims unless they are dealt with. Unfortunately, in religious circles, sexual assault and abuse are uncomfortable topics, and shame gets leveraged to keep people silent. Sometimes victims of sexual abuse are convinced by the abuser that theirs is a relationship, and they don’t want to “ruin” it by reporting their secret. Again, any sexual assault of parishioners by a clergy member is a criminal offense, and you must report any sexual misconduct with a child to authorities. 

No one enters a church expecting exploitation and harm. For sexual abuse victims, repression, denial, confusion, or shame may keep them from even realizing what happened to them. Our sexual abuse lawyers can help you understand what went on, and we can point you to the appropriate professionals for trauma support.

Church sexual assault leaves its victims with emotional damage that keeps people from living their best lives. We will also make it incredibly difficult for an abuser to be in a position of authority to harm others again! We will get you back on your feet and get you the justice you deserve.

We will keep your involvement private while giving you the peace that the law will deal with your abuser.

If you are a victim of church sexual assault, you may be entitled to various types of compensation. This can include medical expenses for immediate and ongoing treatment, counseling and therapy costs, and prescription medications. You can also claim compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any long-term effects on your mental health and quality of life. Additionally, if the assault has impacted your ability to work, you may be eligible for compensation for lost wages and diminished earning capacity. An experienced lawyer can help you identify and pursue all potential avenues of compensation to ensure you receive the full amount you deserve.