Los Angeles Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Were You Abused by a Priest, Teacher, or Religious Leader? Call Today for a Free Consultation.

Sexual abuse and child molestation are always deeply traumatic for the victim – but when sexual abuse occurs at the hands of a trusted religious leader or priest, the victim may also struggle with a profound loss of trust and personal faith. While prosecutors may choose to file criminal charges against your abuser, a criminal conviction will do little to help you recover your peace of mind and begin to heal.

If you’ve endured clergy sexual abuse, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit against your abuser and seek compensation through the civil justice system. In the wake of the #MeToo movement and multiple sex abuse scandals involving the Catholic Church, California law has been changed to allow child sex abuse victims more time to file a lawsuit. As compassionate Los Angeles clergy abuse lawyers, our team at Beston International Law Firm stay fully up-to-date on these changes and will help you explore all your legal options for a sex abuse claim.

Call (929) 841-6928 to speak with a member of our legal team today. We offer free and confidential consultations.

Defining the Problem: Clergy Sexual Abuse

Within the last few years, many religious institutions across the country have faced a reckoning on the problem of institutional sex abuse. In 2081, a Pennsylvania grand jury released a groundbreaking report on systemic sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church, prompting many state law enforcement agencies to open investigations on clergy sexual abuse. The expansive report contained allegations that Catholic Church leaders covered up or minimized sex abuse complaints against over 300 priests who preyed on young children.

However, these problems are hardly restricted to the Catholic Church alone. Because clergy members like religious leaders, priests, and teachers are so trusted and respected within their organizations, it’s all too easy for child sexual abuse and other abuses of power to go unnoticed (or to be suppressed) for years at a time. Additionally, victims of clergy sex abuse often fear retaliation from their religious communities for speaking up against those in power.

Clergy sexual abuse often involves some or all of the following:

• Unwanted groping and touching
• Sexual assault and rape
• Coercion, threats, and intimidation
• Physical injuries related to assault
• Child molestation
• Child pornography and indecent exposure
• Lewd comments and other forms of sexual harassment
• Voyeurism

Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in California

In addition to physical injuries, sex abuse victims often suffer from serious mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Child sex abuse victims are particularly vulnerable to these injuries, with many struggling to find meaning in life and regain their sense of self for decades after the abuse takes place.

While adult survivors of clergy sexual abuse previously had little legal recourse, a new California law has made it easier for them to seek recovery. As of January 2020, child sexual assault victims now have until their 40^th birthday to file a civil lawsuit related to sexual abuse (or within 5 years after discovering the abuse). However, the civil statute of limitations is still very strict, and you will need the assistance of a qualified attorney to pursue legal action.

At Beston International Law Firm, we empathize deeply with survivors of sexual abuse and assault. No matter your age at the time of the abuse, you deserve to seek justice for your losses. With over a century of legal experience and a robust clergy sexual abuse practice, our Los Angeles attorneys can stand by your side throughout the process of filing a claim.

Don’t hesitate to speak with our attorneys about your sex abuse case. Call (929) 841-6928 right away to explore your options.