Massachusetts is where public awareness about clergy members’ sexual abuse of minors first occurred. The Boston Globe’s account of a massive cover-up of abuse within the Boston Archdiocese led to nationwide changes in how the legal system handles these cases.
If you or your loved ones suffered abuse by someone who worked for or volunteered with a religious institution, consider learning more about Massachusetts clergy sexual assault lawsuits. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group are actively pursuing claims and are willing to hear your case.
Sexual Abuse Can Have Long-Term Impacts
People who endured sexual assault often suffer from the consequences for decades. Survivors may not realize that some issues they manage today relate to the prior sexual violation.
Survivors may experience long-term mental health impacts, such as depression, anxiety, or posttraumatic stress disorder. It is common for survivors to struggle with drugs or alcohol. They may have trouble trusting others or maintaining intimate relationships.
Survivors may feel empowered by taking legal action against the perpetrator and the institution that enabled them. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group can file a sexual abuse claim against a Massachusetts church member and seek payment for a survivor’s past and future mental health treatment, reduced earning capacity, and diminished quality of life.
When Can Legal Action Occur?
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse often require years to accept their experience. When the abuser was a member of the clergy or someone in a position of moral authority, it can be more difficult for a survivor to forgive themselves and demand accountability from the abuser.
Tragically, in many cases, a state statute of limitations will have expired before a survivor is ready to take legal action. Massachusetts addressed this issue by making changes to its statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse in 2015.
Claims Against the Perpetrator
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 260 § 4C allows someone who was sexually abused as a child to file a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator up to 35 years after the victim’s 18th birthday. Sometimes a child sex abuse survivor represses the memory or does not connect the abuse to problems they suffer as an adult until later in life. In these cases, a survivor has seven years after they recognize the abuse and its impact, regardless of how many years have passed since the abuse occurred.
Claims Against Other Responsible Parties
When a survivor is suing a responsible entity, such as a church, school, or summer camp, the statute of limitations is 35 years for incidents that occurred after June 2014. The seven-year rule for delayed discovery of the abuse and its impact also applies in these cases.
However, this extended timeframe only applies when the abuse happened on July 1, 2014, or later. Earlier claims against institutions are currently time-barred, but there are efforts to extend time on these claims for people who suffered abuse prior to that date. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group follow developments pertaining to churches and other institutions and can advise survivors of any changes to the Massachusetts child sex abuse statute of limitations and how that can impact their cases.
Contact Phillips Law Group About Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Against Massachusetts Clergy
If you are struggling with the effects of sexual abuse by someone affiliated with the church, making a legal claim against them can be empowering. Contact the attorneys at Phillips Law Group about Massachusetts clergy sexual assault lawsuits. Holding the perpetrators accountable can bring peace of mind, so start by contacting a Phillips Law Group lawyer today.
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