Sexual Abuse of Children by Priests, Clergy & Other Religious Leaders
Attorneys Willing to Stand Up to Abusive & Negligent Religious Institutions
Many adults were sexually abused when they were children by priests and other religious leaders. New laws allow adults to come forward and file sex abuse lawsuits against the clergy leaders and religious entities even if the sexual abuse occurred many decades ago. We must be able to trust religious organizations to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children to learn and worship. When that trust is broken, it causes lasting damage. Many adults are unable to come forward because of the pain and mental struggles associated with the abuse. If you were sexually abused when you were a child (younger than age 18) by a member of a religious institution, let Levy Konigsberg help you seek justice. We can help you determine if there is a child sex abuse law that will allow you to hold the religious leader, church or other religious institution accountable, while providing financial compensation for your suffering.
For nearly 40 years, we have fought for individuals harmed by individual, corporate and governmental misconduct. We are a nationally recognized leader in sex abuse litigation against religious leaders who abused their power and the religious institutions that harbored or enabled them. When we take a claim, we aim to win by employing our vast resources and experience. We fight for the justice that survivors of sexual abuse by religious institutions deserve because we know that we’re fighting not just for them but for countless children who deserve protection from future abuses.
We are currently investigating child sexual abuse cases that involve or implicate the:
Catholic Church Dioceses: Allegations of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church have rocked communities worldwide. Survivors have accused clergy members of misconduct, including abuse by priests, bishops, and other church officials. Criticism has been directed at the church's handling of these claims, with concerns raised about cover-ups and inadequate support for survivors.
In 2002, one of the largest and most shocking sex abuse scandals by a religious institution was uncovered and criminal charges were brought against five Roman Catholic priests in the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston after thousands of minors alleged that priests had engaged in sexual abuse for decades with the aid of a cover-up by a number of large dioceses. Despite the U.S. bishop’s purported “zero tolerance” policy following this news, scores of reports of decades-old abuse by clergy and willful lack of appropriate action by superiors continue to surface, most notably in a report accusing 300 priests of molesting more than 1,000 victims going back 70 years in the Pennsylvania Archdiocese. Victims of abuse by members of the Catholic clergy can seek damages for the pain and suffering they experienced as a result of the abuse.
Jehovah's Witnesses: Reports of sexual abuse within the Jehovah's Witness community have surfaced in recent years, with allegations often involving leaders within local congregations. Survivors have criticized the organization's internal handling of abuse allegations, which can discourage victims from reporting to secular authorities.
Southern Baptist Church: The Southern Baptist Church has faced numerous allegations of sexual abuse within its congregations. Reports have highlighted instances of abuse by pastors, youth leaders, and other church members. The church has faced criticism for its handling of abuse cases, including allegations of cover-ups and failure to adequately address systemic issues.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons): The Mormon Church has faced scrutiny over its handling of sexual abuse allegations within its ranks. Survivors have come forward with allegations of abuse by church leaders, missionaries, and others affiliated with the church. Critics have raised concerns about the church's internal reporting mechanisms and its response to survivors' allegations.
Jewish youth organizations: Several Jewish youth organizations have faced allegations of sexual abuse within their programs. Survivors have reported instances of abuse by staff members, counselors, and other individuals in positions of authority within these organizations. These cases have prompted calls for greater accountability and transparency within Jewish youth organizations to prevent future abuse.
Trust Levy Konigsberg with your lawsuit for sexual abuse of a child by a priest, clergy member, or another religious leader. Call (800) 315-3806 now.
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Failure to Supervise Perpetrators of Sex Abuse
One of the most shocking aspects of the Catholic Church abuse scandal is the widespread and systematic effort by superiors to conceal abuse and protect perpetrators while failing to take corrective action. In many instances, complaints of sexual abuse were ignored, or offenders were simply relocated to other parishes where they would abuse other children.
Liability for sexual abuse extends beyond the individual priests who committed abuse; other clergy members who worked closely with abusers, bishops who were in charge of overseeing the priests in their parishes, and dioceses that were ultimately responsible for supervising the clergy within their organizations can all be held accountable for sexual abuse of children. In one of the largest settlements for individual victims, four men were awarded $27.7 million in a settlement with the Diocese of Brooklyn for sexual abuse by a religion teacher at St. Lucy’s-St. Patrick’s Church in Brooklyn. The court stated that the Diocese of Brooklyn ignored clear signs of the abuse, including inappropriate contact witnessed by other Church employees, and failed to report suspicious behavior to the proper authorities.
Sexual Abuse Among Other Religious
While many high-profile cases of sexual abuse have occurred in the Catholic Church, sexual abuse among leaders in religious organizations is not limited to the Roman Catholic Church. Numerous reports of sexual abuse of children in Jewish youth organizations, synagogues, and religious schools have surfaced in recent years. . Other religious institutions, including the Southern Baptist Church, Mormon Church, and Jehovah’s Witnesses have likewise been accused of fostering abuse and attempting to silence claims of widespread sexual assault. The common thread—institutional leaders attempting to cover up and protect abusers at the cost of accountability and a safe environment for children.
Levy Konigsberg LLP is a nationally recognized law firm that has handled all types of sexual abuse cases for more than three decades. If you or a member of your family has been the victim of sexual misconduct by a priest, clergy, or other religious member, please contact our lawyers for a free consultation by calling (800) 315-3806 or submit an email inquiry.
Find out whether you have a case by speaking to one of our experienced lawyers via our 24/7 toll-free hotline or by submitting an email inquiry. Our attorneys will be quick to respond to you and happy to answer all of your questions.
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