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Why Victims of Clergy Abuse May Soon Be Receiving Significant Compensation (Regardless of How Long Ago The Abuse Occurred)

Were you or a loved one ever sexually abused or inappropriately touched by a member of the clergy (priest, deacon, bishop, pastor, etc.) or other church staff at a faith-based-owned or controlled location, such as a church, school, camp, etc.?

If so, you are not alone, and you may be eligible for significant compensation.

Below, you can learn more and complete our 60-second evaluation to see if your case qualifies.

Abuse Legislation Updates

The state of Illinois passed a law that eliminated the statute of limitations for prosecuting felony sex crimes, including cases involving clergy.

Sexual abuse survivors can now seek justice no matter how much time has passed.

The new ruling means that anyone who was abused, including adults who were abused as children, can now seek justice and it allows civil lawsuits over decades-old abuse. 

The legislation will likely create greater liability for the Catholic Church, the Baptist Church, and other faith-based organizations accused of systemic child abuse over decades.

It will also affect individual schools, camps, youth centers, boarding schools, or any other type of organization or institution run by members of the clergy that tolerates abuse toward minors.

This is a victory for sexual abuse survivors and their right to seek justice.

Last year, the Attorney General’s investigation revealed that there were thousands of victims and more accused clergy than was initially reported. 

It is known that people who come to terms with their abuse later in life often miss the opportunity to seek justice because the time to do so has run out.

This means that with the new legislation, anyone who was ever sexually abused or inappropriately touched by a member of the clergy, such as a priest, pastor, bishop, or another faith-based leader may soon be eligible for significant compensation.

Survivors of clergy child sex abuse have rights and deserve to find justice and healing.

Clergy Abuse Lawsuits

Many people turn to clergy members and priests in their time of need, searching for a sense of connection with God and looking for guidance in navigating life situations that seem impossible. 

Others simply become close with religious leaders as they grow in their faith or while attending religious schools.

Sadly, some people in these positions of power take advantage of the people who need their help the most, and it’s common to hear victims say that they’ve never told anyone, didn’t want to say anything at the time, or tried to tell a parent after it happened and weren’t believed or told to keep it quiet.

Recent complaints state that there have been a high number of sexual abuse accusations brought up against Catholic clergy members, priests, youth ministers, teachers, and camp directors.

In 2018, the Illinois Attorney General’s office launched a statewide investigation into sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, following reports of abuse within the Archdiocese of Chicago and other dioceses in Illinois.

In May 2023, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul released a comprehensive report detailing decades of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in Illinois. 

The investigation identified nearly 2,000 victims and named hundreds of accused clergy, far more than what the Church had previously reported.

The Archdiocese of Chicago alone has paid over $200 million in settlements to survivors of clergy sexual abuse. This includes cases from incidents that occurred as far back as the 1960s and 1970s and are just now getting reported.

Clergy sexual abuse still happens to this day, and critics say church leaders are still not doing enough about it.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the Archdiocese expects upcoming settlements to total nearly $160 million.

It’s common for victims of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment to discount the fact that they’ve been hurt by a person that they trust, or they might feel ashamed or embarrassed and scared to tell others about the abuse. 

Understanding that what the victim went through was unfair and not their fault can be an important step toward long-term healing, and they may find that holding the abuser accountable can help them find peace.

Unfortunately, clergy sexual abuse most often involves children, but it’s essential to recognize that adults can also suffer from this kind of abuse. 

Whether the victim is a child or an adult, if the victim has experienced sexual assault, unwanted sexual advances, inappropriate sexual touching, or indecent exposure, they should receive help and seek justice.

It’s important not to assume that a victim’s claim is invalid just because some years have passed since the abuse occurred. 

They may be able to pursue a claim today, even if the abuse happened many years ago. 

With the increasing awareness of these scandals and the now deeper understanding of the lasting impact of sexual abuse, several states have extended the time frame in which a person can file a sexual abuse claim. 

According to a study that was broadcast on National Public Radio, the Catholic Church has paid out more than $3 billion in settlements for sexual abuse cases involving children in the United States alone.

Although we know that even 7-figure compensation can’t erase a life-altering event, or heal the pain, it can at least help reduce the financial stress and help hold offenders accountable to help prevent future abuse.

What To Do Next

If you or a loved one were sexually harassed or inappropriately touched by a member of the clergy or church staff at a diocese-owned or controlled location, such as a church, school, camp, etc., you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible. 

In general, reaching out to a legal representative as soon as possible greatly improves your chances of successfully proving your claim. 

Over time, memories can fade, witnesses may relocate, and crucial details become less clear.

But you shouldn’t just contact any law firm that claims to handle clergy abuse lawsuits. It’s important that you get help from a law firm that is highly experienced in Clergy Abuse lawsuits and has a team of experts to help you.

We’re here to help survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault seek justice.

How To Get A Free Consultation With Law Firms That Are Highly Experienced In Clergy Abuse Lawsuits

Would you like to get a free consultation with a law firm that is highly experienced in clergy abuse lawsuits?

We have a nationwide network of highly-rated attorneys who are here to help you.

To get a free case review and see if you qualify for a free consultation with one of our partner law firms, just tap the button below.

If you like, you’ll be able to speak with a trauma trained law firmNOT an untrained person in a call center.

Once you speak with one of our partner law firms, they can immediately start helping you with the following:

  • Serving you and your family with empathy and compassion
  • Building a case for why you or your family should receive a seven- or eight-figure settlement
  • Taking care of as many legal and medical issues as possible so you can reduce your stress and focus on healing

To get a free case review and see if you qualify for a free consultation with one of our partner law firms, just tap the button below.