In recent years, it has become apparent that the clergy was a safe harbor for sexual predators over many decades. Thousands of stories have emerged of children and other vulnerable people being abused by priests, pastors, lay clergy, and volunteers. The criminal system has punished some offenders, but the vast majority have not faced consequences.
The attorneys at Phillips Law Group are bringing civil actions against these offenders and the churches that enabled them. If you suffered abuse by a member of the clergy or someone affiliated with the church, you may be eligible to join the Baltimore clergy sexual abuse lawsuits.
Sexual assault and abuse cause unique harm that can take decades for a survivor to process. Feelings of shame and betrayal are amplified when the abuser occupies a position of moral leadership and trust.
In the past, people who were sexually assaulted or abused had only a limited time to file a lawsuit. Because it can take such a long time for a survivor to feel strong enough to tell their story, many missed the deadline for taking legal action, and their abusers escaped liability.
The Maryland Child Victims Act lifts the civil statute of limitations for sexual assault on a child. This allows survivors to file lawsuits no matter how much time has passed since the incident. A survivor whose time to sue had expired under the previous law now has an opportunity to seek accountability. Attorneys at Phillips Law Group encourage anyone who experienced child sexual abuse by a clergy member or other church official in Baltimore to contact them immediately.
Child sexual abuse encompasses a range of conduct and is not limited to rape or sodomy. Any actions for the purposes of sexually gratifying the abuser could form the basis of a sexual abuse lawsuit.
If the victim was an adult when the abuse occurred, the law is stricter about the conduct that qualifies as sexual abuse or sexual assault. However, any non-consensual sexual contact is a crime. When a clergy member uses their authority to manipulate someone into sexual activity, that conduct could form the basis of a sexual abuse lawsuit.
The attorneys at Phillips Law Group will listen to a survivor’s story of clergy sexual abuse in Baltimore with compassion and empathy. They will explain the legal process, and if the survivor feels ready to move forward, they will advocate aggressively to hold the abuser and institution liable for the harm they caused.
Sexual abuse has devastating consequences for survivors. Through a civil lawsuit, a survivor can obtain monetary damages that can reimburse some of their expenses and compensate for some of their pain. The acknowledgment of the harm done is also critical and can aid a survivor’s healing.
Survivors can claim damages for all the losses they suffered due to the abuse. They can seek payment for their mental health treatment and physical injuries and illnesses that resulted from the abuse. Survivors often develop mental health challenges that impede their professional success and can claim that the abuse cost them income.
Finding and maintaining healthy, nourishing personal relationships can be difficult. Survivors may seek damages for pain and suffering and for the anguish and relationship issues the abuse has caused them. Our Baltimore attorneys will work to claim compensation from the church for all the losses the survivor experienced due to sexual abuse.
Experiencing sexual abuse at the hands of someone affiliated with the church can lead to lifelong psychological devastation. If you are ready, you can take your power back by joining the Baltimore clergy sexual assault lawsuits. Reach out to Phillips Law Group today to learn more about holding your abusers accountable.
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