Over the last few decades, child sexual abuse has become closely associated with the Catholic Church. Allegations of abuse stretch back generations, as do reports of the church deliberately ignoring or actively covering up abusive behavior.
However, sexual abuse is not a problem limited to Catholicism. Sexual abuse in other religious organizations is also prevalent, and some organizations have taken fewer steps to make amends than the Catholic Church. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group can help you understand your legal options if you have been abused by a religious organization or one of its employees.
Understanding Systemic Abuse
Systemic or institutional sexual abuse is a pattern of behavior that is facilitated or even promoted by significant figures within an organization. In the United States and across the world, religious institutions face allegations of systemic sexual abuse dating back decades or more.
In these cases, the acts of abuse are not solely the fault of the individual perpetrator. While the abuser is responsible for the act itself, other parties often facilitate or cover up the abuse. There have been countless scandals where church leadership ignored widespread allegations of assault throughout the Catholic Church and in other religious organizations.
Can Sexual Abuse Victims Seek Justice?
A sexual abuse survivor can often feel hopeless as a result of a religious organization’s failure to protect them. This is especially true when the abuse is systemic, and church figures take steps to silence allegations. The good news is that survivors in most states have grounds to file a lawsuit and an extended window of time to do so.
Like any injury claim, sexual abuse cases must comply with a deadline known as the statute of limitations. This applies to survivors in every state in the U.S., although that time limit can vary dramatically from one jurisdiction to another.
What makes pursuing these cases challenging is that the statute of limitations usually limits injury victims to a narrow window of time to file a lawsuit. In most states, this is as little as two years. That conflicts with the reality of being a sexual abuse victim, and many feel unable to take action or consider legal action until years later. Fortunately, numerous jurisdictions now provide more time for plaintiffs to seek justice through the legal system.
Although some of the most high-profile lawsuits target the Catholic Church, survivors across the country have also started suing other religious organizations over systemic sexual abuse.
How An Attorney Can Help
At Phillips Law Group, the team of compassionate lawyers understands the life-changing impact that sexual abuse can have. The trauma is made worse when the religious organization meant to support and protect a survivor enabled the abuse to occur. An attorney can help by investigating these allegations, identifying who is at fault, and pursuing compensation for the survivors.
Contact an Attorney To Seek Justice for Sexual Abuse in a Religious Organization
If you have been victimized by the Catholic church or faced sexual assault in other religious organizations, you have the right to pursue legal action. The process can be challenging, but you do not have to navigate it alone.
You deserve an advocate you can trust, and the right attorney can have a tremendous impact on the outcome of your case. Reach out to Phillips Law Group today to discuss your options.
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