Clergy Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse by clergy members has gained significant media attention in recent years as more and more victims have come forward to seek justice against their perpetrators. In 2007 alone, the Catholic Church spent over $600 million to compensate victims of clergy sexual abuse. Such compensation, however, does little to account for the fact that for years the Catholic Church:
- Systematically concealed evidence of clergy sexual abuse
- Moved priests to other parishes rather than reporting abuse to the authorities
- Paid off victims in order to prevent them from reporting clergy sexual abuse
- Ignored the allegations of some victims
The Effects of Clergy Sexual Abuse
The effects of clergy sexual abuse on its victims cannot be overstated. Priests and members of the clergy are trusted figures of authority within the Catholic Church, and young people are especially vulnerable to those in positions of power over them. Priests and clergy members who exploited this vulnerability wrought unspeakable damages upon their victims – damages that followed their victims into their adult lives and often included:
- Severe anxiety and panic attacks
- Depression
- Mistrust of others
- Self-destructive behaviors
- Shame and guilt
- Intimacy issues and sexual dysfunction
The Extent of Suffering
It is unknown how many people have suffered because of clergy sexual abuse. Thousands of victims have reported abuse and more than one thousand priests have been accused of sexual abuse acts involving:
- Fondling and/or genital contact
- Masturbation
- Exposure
- Voyeurism
- Pornography
- Intercourse
In fact, a large-scale study commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops estimated that four percent of all priests in the U.S. between 1950 and 2004 faced accusations of sexual abuse. Some of these priests have been prosecuted criminally, and some have been put behind bars. The Catholic Church has been shamed and forced to issue a number of public apologies.
Are You a Victim of Clergy Sexual Abuse?
If you have been sexually abused by a member of the clergy, you have a right to hold your perpetrator accountable. You may also be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering you have endured.
At Burke & Eisner, we represent victims of clergy sexual abuse. We understand how sensitive these can be, and we respect and value the privacy of each of our clients. For a confidential consultation with one of our experienced clergy abuse attorneys, contact us today. We’ll listen to the circumstances of your claim and evaluate your legal options – at no cost to you.
Three ways to Contact Us:
-- Fill out the Contact Us form in the Upper Right part of this page.
-- Use the Contact Us form located on the Instant Answer Page
-- Call us: 1-800-838-0800
See Also:
Burke & Eisner Law Blogs
