When can churches and religious organizations be held accountable for sexual abuse?

Your abuser is responsible for the assault or exploitation they committed against you, but this individual isn’t the only party that can potentially be held liable for abuse. In churches and religious organizations, patterns of sexual abuse often arise out of some form of institutional negligence, such as failures to conduct appropriate background checks, inadequate supervision of clergy, or negligent hiring practices. Our legal team holds religious institutions accountable to the fullest extent possible for failures of any kind that facilitate or enable abuse of vulnerable populations, particularly children. Additionally, churches may be held liable when the institution or its leaders deliberately conceal abuse committed by clergy or other members of the congregation. It’s unacceptable for religious leaders and institutions to effectively silence survivors for their own benefit—and, in the process, enable the perpetrator to continue abusing vulnerable victims—and yet cover-ups of this nature are common in church sexual abuse scandals.

How widespread is sexual abuse in churches and religious organizations?

Unfortunately, sexual abuse is a pervasive problem, with numerous religious organizations facing scandals and legal action in both civil and criminal courts. Among the churches and religious institutions in which clergy abuse has been reported are the Church of Latter Day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church), the Catholic Church, Southern Baptist churches, Jehovah's Witnesses, evangelical Christian churches of various denominations, Orthodox Jewish communities, and the Church of Scientology. Notably, sexual abuse by religious leaders has been widely reported in churches whose teachings include strict codes of chastity. In fact, the norms and procedures that accompany these codes of chastity, such as worthiness interviews with clergy members, can actually contribute to the culture of abuse.

How long do survivors have to pursue church sex abuse lawsuits?

Sexual abuse in churches occurs across the country, but state-specific laws may limit how long survivors have to file civil claims against religious institutions that enable exploitation. This means it’s important to consult an experienced attorney with extensive knowledge of both church sex abuse lawsuits and your state’s laws as soon as possible. Even if you think it may be too late to file a claim, it’s worth discussing the specifics of your situation with an attorney. Numerous states have recently made efforts to extend or eliminate the statute of limitations that restricts how long survivors of childhood sexual abuse have to take civil legal action. We’re determined to help survivors of abuse explore all avenues available to them for holding corrupt church leaders accountable and securing financial resources for the future.

Can you file a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit even if criminal charges against your abuser were dropped?

A civil claim for compensation is a separate legal matter from any criminal charges that may be imposed against individual abusers. You can still pursue a sexual abuse claim even if the perpetrator was never formally charged with or convicted of a criminal offense. The standard of proof required for a civil claim is different (and less rigorous) than that required for a criminal conviction. This means you may be successful in recovering compensation even if a judge or prosecutor determined that there wasn’t sufficient evidence of guilt to convict the defendant in criminal proceedings. Our firm devotes extensive resources to gathering evidence and has a track record of success in presenting compelling cases on behalf of our clients in sexual abuse lawsuits.

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Church Abuse Lawsuits

Church Sex Abuse Lawyers

Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorneys Providing Compassionate Representation for Survivors of Church and Priest Abuse

In churches of all denominations throughout the country, children and other vulnerable victims suffer sexual abuse at the hands of clergy. Congregation members trust these church leaders for spiritual guidance, without realizing that some of them are really sexual predators abusing, exploiting, and assaulting victims. For survivors, the path forward from falling prey to such abuse is often difficult—but you don’t have to face it alone. The compassionate church sex abuse lawyers at Anapol Weiss are ready to fight for you in the legal process.

Our law firm is known for its unrivaled advocacy on behalf of victims and for successfully taking on influential institutions. We’re not intimidated by a church leader’s standing or their authority within the organization. As experienced clergy sexual abuse attorneys, we champion the causes of survivors and stand up for what’s right: institutional accountability, justice, and the financial resources that can help you heal from the trauma you’ve suffered.

Leading the practice area at Anapol Weiss are Alex Walsh and Marni Berger, both nationally recognized trial attorneys and unwavering advocates for survivors of abuse. We approach every case with compassion, respect for survivors’ privacy, and an unshakeable commitment to holding religious organizations accountable. Contact us today to find out how we can help you explore your options and move forward with getting justice through the civil legal system at no cost.

Clergy Sexual Abuse Scandals in Churches and Religious Organizations Nationwide

Sexual abuse, exploitation, and assault by clergy members is a violation of not only their own moral teachings but also the law. Survivors need to know that they are not at fault for the abuse that a priest, pastor, minister, bishop, rabbi, or other religious leader has perpetrated against them.

There’s nothing you did that made you deserving of such mistreatment. Your abuser made the choice to engage in unacceptable behavior toward you, taking advantage of a power imbalance or unsupervised access to vulnerable victims—and, in many cases, enabled or emboldened by the religious institution’s negligent practices.

The clergy sexual abuse attorneys at Anapol Weiss are actively investigating or pursuing cases against numerous religious organizations. We’re ready to take a stand against the institutions that facilitate abuse through a pattern of failures or cover-ups, regardless of denomination, authority, or influence.

Sexual Abuse Scandals in the Catholic Church

Allegations of abuse in the modern Catholic Church date back decades, drawing public attention as early as the 1980s. By the 1990s, these allegations had erupted into full-blown media firestorms in numerous countries, and dioceses throughout the United States found themselves facing serious legal consequences.

Despite the very public nature of these scandals and the legal issues at play, reports suggest that the abuse hasn’t stopped. Over a thousand clerical abuse allegations are still made annually, according to the Catholic News Agency, and the Catholic Church pays out well over a hundred million dollars in compensation to survivors each year.

The widespread allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church were a driving force behind many states’ legislative efforts to extend the time victims of institutional childhood sexual abuse have to take civil legal action.

Church of Latter Day Saints Sexual Abuse Claims

With its following of more than 31,676 congregations worldwide—14,578 of which are located in the United States, marking a foothold in every state—the LDS Church, also known as the Mormon Church, is influential. The institution also has a long history of allegations of abuse and cover-ups.

Abuse allegations against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are well-documented, with more than 4,000 reports and hundreds of accusations of concealing reported abuse. Aspects of LDS Church culture enable abuse, including worthiness interviews of young members of the congregation and teachings that make girls and young women particularly vulnerable to abuse by bishops, who are exclusively male, as well as other Church leaders.

To date, the LDS Church has spent approximately $1 billion to compensate sexual abuse victims. While the average settlement payout ranges from $275,000 to $350,000, the highest reported settlement amounted to $32 million.

Standing Up Against Church Sexual Abuse Regardless of Denomination

No matter what specific teachings a religious organization follows or how much power and influence it commands, it isn’t above the law.

Individual perpetrators can be held criminally accountable for their actions, and on an institutional level, the church can be held liable for its role in allowing abuse to occur at the hands of its leaders or for covering up reports of sexual assaults and exploitation.

Our clergy sexual abuse attorneys don’t shy away from pursuing justice against religious institutions of all kinds, from evangelical Christian churches and Jehovah’s Witnesses to Orthodox Jewish synagogues and the Church of Scientology.

How Church Failures Enable Patterns of Sexual Abuse

It’s no coincidence that church sexual abuse scandals often bring to light numerous instances of abuse, sometimes involving multiple parties within the organization. Through several different failures, religious institutions can produce an environment that facilitates or enables abuse—leaving victims vulnerable while giving perpetrators confidence that they won’t face consequences.

When our church sex abuse lawyers investigate assaults and exploitation within religious organizations, some of the forms of negligence we may look for include:

Negligent hiring, often involving a failure to conduct reasonable background checks or hiring church workers with a history of violence or abuse for positions that grant them access to vulnerable members of the congregation, such as children
Negligent supervision of workers, which may lead predators to feel confident that they can commit abuse and assaults without being caught, reported, or subjected to disciplinary or criminal consequences
Failure to develop or enforce proper protocols or procedures for protecting the safety of vulnerable members of the congregation and addressing any allegations of misconduct
Failure to respond to abuse reports reasonably, including failing to warn others of risks posed to children and other vulnerable church members by a clergy member who has been accused of sexual abuse or assault
Failure to investigate clergy sexual abuse allegations promptly and properly
Failure to report abuse allegations involving church leaders or members of the congregation to the authorities, which results in concealment or cover-up of sexual abuse, particularly of minors

The church has a responsibility to act with reasonable caution to prevent conditions that enable clergy misconduct and protect vulnerable members of the congregation from abuse by the institution’s leaders. The institution also has a duty to properly address any allegations of assault or exploitation that arise.

What Kinds of Abuse Can a Church Be Held Accountable For?

Sexual abuse in religious institutions can take numerous forms. Our church sex abuse lawyers are actively investigating abuse of various kinds, including:

Rape
Sexual assault, which encompasses all forms of non-consensual intercourse or penetration
Unwanted or non-consensual molestation, fondling, or sexual touching
Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind
Sexual exploitation, such as pushing the victim to share inappropriate photos or perform sexual favors, through manipulation, intimidation, coercion, or emotional abuse
Sexual harassment, which doesn’t necessarily require physical contact and may encompass sexual advances, requests for favors, and inappropriate sexual comments
Grooming, which entails cultivating an inappropriate emotional relationship with a prospective victim—who is often a minor—to facilitate later sexual abuse or exploitation
Any form of abuse, assault, or exploitation of child victims, who are legally unable to give consent to sexual activity

Sexual abuse that involves physical contact can leave you with significant injuries, expose you to sexually transmitted infections, and result in an unplanned pregnancy. Even if the sexual abuse perpetrated against you never turned physical, it can affect your mental health and your view of yourself and others.

The predatory clergy member is the one who engaged in heinous misconduct, but you’re the one who suffers a life-changing loss of self-esteem and issues trusting other people. Survivors of sexual abuse may also develop clinical depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The consequences of sexual abuse can impact you for a lifetime—but there’s still hope for a better future.

How a Church Sex Abuse Lawsuit Helps Survivors Move Forward

Taking legal action provides a path forward for victims who need support. Pretending this terrible trauma never happened won’t bring you peace, but caring and compassionate treatment by appropriate medical professionals and licensed mental health providers can help you heal.

Treatment and therapy can carry heavy financial costs, and the impact of abuse can ripple through your life, leading to financial losses as well as long-lasting pain and suffering. Through your claim, our attorneys will pursue financial resources that compensate you for the full scope of harm you suffered.

All parties involved in your abuse deserve to be held accountable—not only the individual perpetrator but also the institution that put you in harm's way through its patterns of failures and insufficient procedures for protecting your safety. Knowing that the church, as well as the specific clergy member involved, has faced the consequences can provide peace of mind, closure, and a much-needed sense of justice.

Our Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorneys Expose Institutions’ Failures and Church Leaders’ Misconduct

Because churches, and especially church leaders, are often viewed as authority figures by their congregations, it can be difficult for survivors of abuse to come forward. We recognize how much courage it can take to speak up when a clergy member has tried to silence you—and we’re here to give you a voice in the legal system.

Institutional sex abuse claims can progress through the civil legal system in different ways. Some cases settle out of court, while others go all the way to trial. In some instances, churches face multiple claims consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL).

Whatever path your case takes, we’re ready for every challenge that could arise in the legal process. We’re committed to bringing to light the ways the church failed you, harboring or enabling abusers and potentially even concealing misconduct to protect the institution and its high-ranking leaders. We push for full accountability by developing strong, compelling cases backed by evidence that we collect through extensive investigations.

How Anapol Weiss Can Help Survivors Get Justice

Behind our firm’s effective approach to the legal process are the critical steps we take at every stage. We investigate abuse and the factors that contribute to it, gathering evidence to support your claim for compensation. Based on this investigation, our church sex abuse lawyers identify all possible defendants and theories of liability. Our firm builds compelling claims, presenting the evidence and arguments in your favor effectively and contextualizing all of the ways the abuse has affected your life.

We handle all interactions with the church, other relevant defendants, and insurers. Our attorneys manage paperwork, legal filings, deadlines, and documentation to make sure your case is fully developed and prepared for the next step. In every negotiation and legal proceeding, our goal is always to secure justice, adequate compensation, and institutional accountability for you.

Why Choose Anapol Weiss as Your Church Sex Abuse Lawyers?

Who you choose to support you through the legal process matters. As accomplished church sex abuse lawyers with experience handling these sensitive legal situations, we know what it takes to advocate effectively for survivors. We’re here to provide the compassionate support you need while fighting relentlessly to ensure powerful institutions face the legal consequences of failing to keep the most vulnerable members of their congregations safe.

Unrivaled Experience and Results

For more than 45 years, Anapol Weiss has devoted our practice to standing up for the abused and defending the rights of the injured. We’re nationally recognized leaders in injury and abuse claims, having successfully litigated thousands of cases in both state and federal courts.

Our results speak for themselves, amounting to billions of dollars in successful verdicts, settlements, and judgments to help our clients move forward. With dozens of seasoned attorneys on our roster, we’re a full legal team dedicated to securing high-value recoveries and setting new legal precedents.

A Commitment to Standing Up for What’s Right

Our attorneys are proponents of justice and champions of our clients’ causes. While we have a track record of securing high-value recoveries for the injured, we recognize that legal advocacy, particularly in sexual abuse matters, isn’t just about attaining financial compensation. It’s about standing up for what’s right and holding accountable the powerful institutions that negligently enable misconduct.

We’re not afraid to take legal action against influential churches. Our firm has a long history of fighting powerful institutions, major corporations, and Fortune 500 companies in court.

A Compassionate, Client-Centered Approach to Representation

When you have suffered the pain and trauma of sexual abuse, you need to feel safe confiding in your legal counsel—not further victimized by someone who judges, blames, or fails to believe you. At Anapol Weiss, we treat the abused and injured with the utmost compassion, sensitivity, and respect for your privacy.

We routinely handle claims involving sexual abuse and assault, and we know how important it is to provide caring, empathetic support. When possible, we take steps to protect your identity from public disclosure during litigation. We also seek to minimize retraumatization throughout the duration of your case. We’re on your side, and we will help you understand your options for moving forward while preserving your privacy and dignity.

Contact the Church Sex Abuse Lawyers at Anapol Weiss Today for a Free Case Review

Our legal team is dedicated to representing survivors of abuse without ever adding to their financial hardships. We’re removing the barriers that keep victims from receiving the help they deserve through free, confidential consultations and contingency-based representation. It costs nothing to discuss your case with a compassionate attorney at a firm nationally recognized for standing up for the abused, and nothing upfront to retain our services.

It’s time to take a stand against religious institutions that foster patterns of abuse and exploitation. You have nothing to lose but so much to gain, including justice, church accountability, and the resources you need for the future.

For help from clergy sexual abuse attorneys who are ready to advocate tirelessly for your best interests, contact Anapol Weiss online or call 215-608-9645 today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Church Abuse Lawsuits

Your abuser is responsible for the assault or exploitation they committed against you, but this individual isn’t the only party that can potentially be held liable for abuse. In churches and religious organizations, patterns of sexual abuse often arise out of some form of institutional negligence, such as failures to conduct appropriate background checks, inadequate supervision of clergy, or negligent hiring practices. Our legal team holds religious institutions accountable to the fullest extent possible for failures of any kind that facilitate or enable abuse of vulnerable populations, particularly children.
Additionally, churches may be held liable when the institution or its leaders deliberately conceal abuse committed by clergy or other members of the congregation. It’s unacceptable for religious leaders and institutions to effectively silence survivors for their own benefit—and, in the process, enable the perpetrator to continue abusing vulnerable victims—and yet cover-ups of this nature are common in church sexual abuse scandals.
Unfortunately, sexual abuse is a pervasive problem, with numerous religious organizations facing scandals and legal action in both civil and criminal courts. Among the churches and religious institutions in which clergy abuse has been reported are the Church of Latter Day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church), the Catholic Church, Southern Baptist churches, Jehovah's Witnesses, evangelical Christian churches of various denominations, Orthodox Jewish communities, and the Church of Scientology.
Notably, sexual abuse by religious leaders has been widely reported in churches whose teachings include strict codes of chastity. In fact, the norms and procedures that accompany these codes of chastity, such as worthiness interviews with clergy members, can actually contribute to the culture of abuse.
Sexual abuse in churches occurs across the country, but state-specific laws may limit how long survivors have to file civil claims against religious institutions that enable exploitation. This means it’s important to consult an experienced attorney with extensive knowledge of both church sex abuse lawsuits and your state’s laws as soon as possible.
Even if you think it may be too late to file a claim, it’s worth discussing the specifics of your situation with an attorney. Numerous states have recently made efforts to extend or eliminate the statute of limitations that restricts how long survivors of childhood sexual abuse have to take civil legal action.
We’re determined to help survivors of abuse explore all avenues available to them for holding corrupt church leaders accountable and securing financial resources for the future.
A civil claim for compensation is a separate legal matter from any criminal charges that may be imposed against individual abusers. You can still pursue a sexual abuse claim even if the perpetrator was never formally charged with or convicted of a criminal offense.
The standard of proof required for a civil claim is different (and less rigorous) than that required for a criminal conviction. This means you may be successful in recovering compensation even if a judge or prosecutor determined that there wasn’t sufficient evidence of guilt to convict the defendant in criminal proceedings.
Our firm devotes extensive resources to gathering evidence and has a track record of success in presenting compelling cases on behalf of our clients in sexual abuse lawsuits.