Priest Abuse
Priest abuse is a significant problem within the Catholic Church, though the extent of the problem was concealed from the public for decades. However, the efforts of the church were not enough to hold back the flood of victims ready to bring to light the terrible abuses they suffered at the hands of priests – abuses such as:
- Genital fondling and molestation
- Voyeurism, exhibitionism and pornography
- Genital penetration
These abuses can have devastating and life-long consequences for children, particularly because children regard priests as powerful and inherently good. When a priest abuses a child or young person sexually, he is exploiting that child’s vulnerability and innocence. This exploitation comes at an extremely high cost to the victim.
Victims of Priest Abuse
Since 2001, thousands of victims of priest abuse have come forward with allegations involving unspeakable injuries suffered behind the closed doors of the Catholic Church. There is no way of knowing exactly how many children suffered (and still suffer) abuse at the hands of their trusted priests, but what is known is the extreme psychological and physical consequences suffered by the victims. Many priest abuse victims, now adults, report suffering:
- Depression, anxiety, panic attacks
- Inability to trust others, especially those in positions of authority
- Sleep issues and sexual dysfunction
- Substance abuse problems, including alcoholism and drug use
These are consequences that are not easily overcome, even with years of therapy or treatment. While money is hardly compensation enough for what priest abuse victims have endured, it can help pay for treatment and provide victims with some financial relief for their pain and suffering.
Compensation for Victims of Priest Abuse
Priest abuse is a great scandal for the Catholic Church, and one that officials tried to hide for many years. In fact, it is now known that the church preferred to move accused priests to other parishes rather than report them to the authorities. Church officials also paid off victims or ignored them altogether. When these actions came to light, some officials were so shamed that they resigned and the church has been forced to make a number of public apologies.
In addition, the Catholic Church has spent hundreds of millions of dollars compensating victims of priest abuse. If you are a victim of priest abuse, you may be entitled to compensation too.
Learn more about your legal rights and options by contacting the priest abuse attorneys at Burke & Eisner today. We help victims of priest abuse across the country, and we’ll be glad to evaluate your claim in a private, no-cost consultation.
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:
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