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There have been numerous accusations against Michigan clergy members for sexually abusing children and other vulnerable people. There is credible evidence that several Catholic dioceses knew of the abuse and either failed to take effective steps to stop it or intentionally covered it up.
If a clergy member or someone affiliated with the church as an employee or volunteer abused you as a child, you may have the right to sue. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group are pursuing Michigan clergy sexual assault lawsuits on behalf of survivors. You may be entitled to claim financial damages that will help ensure you receive the support you need for the future.
Numerous allegations of sexual abuse against priests and others affiliated with the Catholic Church prompted the state’s Attorney General (AG) to investigate. The purpose was to gather evidence that could support criminal charges against any abusive priests and hold accountable those in authority who enabled their activities.
The AG reviewed records from all seven dioceses in the state. The office runs a phone tip line that accepts reports of sexual abuse by priests, which the AG’s office investigates in conjunction with law enforcement personnel. The investigation resulted in criminal charges against 11 priests.
The AG has released reports of their findings in the Dioceses of Gaylord, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Marquette. The reports describe awareness of sexual abuse within the dioceses and inadequate efforts to stop the abusers or protect victims. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group can use the information in the Michigan AG’s reports to support a survivor’s allegations of clergy sexual abuse.
Although adults can be the victims of clergy abuse, many of the survivors who are ready to come forward now suffered abuse as children. Statutes of limitations can be an obstacle to justice for some survivors.
According to Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5851b, survivors of childhood sexual abuse have until their 28th birthday to file a lawsuit. If a survivor did not remember the abuse or did not connect the abuse to problems in their adult life, they have three years from the date of discovery, even if they are older than 28.
Proposals are currently being considered both to extend the time that a childhood sexual abuse survivor has to sue, and to allow claims from survivors who are currently time-barred. The legal team at Phillips Law Group is monitoring these developments and is prepared to move forward with older clergy abuse claims when Michigan’s law changes.
Sexual abuse survivors may experience debilitating mental health challenges such as persistent anxiety, depression, addiction, and suicidal ideation. The effects of sexual abuse on a survivor’s mental and physical health may interfere with their ability to succeed at school and work, impacting their future income.
Survivors can claim the costs of past and future medical treatment, therapy, and mental health support. When the abuse has impacted their financial security, survivors can claim damages for their diminished earning capacity. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group will work with Michigan survivors of clergy sexual abuse to calculate their financial losses and demand compensation from the abuser and the religious institutions that enabled them.
Survivors also often have difficulty maintaining close relationships, and may not be as happy with their lives in general as others who do not have their difficult history. The abuser and the institutions that employed or supported them are responsible for paying damages in reparation for the survivor’s diminished quality of life.
If someone who held a position in the church sexually abused you, you can claim compensation for the harm you suffered. Many survivors find it empowering to seek accountability from those responsible. Contact Phillips Law Group today for a no-obligation discussion to learn more about Michigan clergy sexual abuse lawsuits.
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