Clergy Sex Abuse Attorneys in New Jersey

Clergy sexual abuse can take many forms. Some examples of clergy sex abuse in New Jersey may include, but are not limited to:

• Vaginal, anal, or oral penetration with a penis, finger, or other objects
• Sharing pornography with children
• Possession of child pornography
• Taking nude photos or videos of children
• Videotaping children during sexual acts
• Watching children during sexual acts
• Forcing a child to touch a clergy member’s penis of other intimate areas
• Touching a child’s penis or other intimate areas
• Sexting
• Sending sexually explicit emails
• Forcing a child to perform sexual acts with himself or others

Children sexually abused by their clergy suffer extreme trauma as a result. The trauma is a bit different than other forms of child sexual abuse because of the relationship between the clergy member and religion. Many times, these children are made to believe it is God’s will, making the child feel even more alone and without any type of protection. Some of the effects of clergy sexual abuse in New Jersey may include, but are not limited to:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Shame
• Distrust of authority
• Substance abuse
• Extreme anger
• Nightmares
• Night terrors

Schizophrenia

Victims of clergy sexual abuse in New Jersey are children under the age of 18. They are often members of the religious community that holds positions within the community or volunteer within their religious organization. This leaves the children in the care of the clergy often, giving the clergy members constant access to the children. The victims are of all genders, races, colors, class statuses, national origins, and family situations.

As of December 2019, New Jersey’s new law will allow victims of clergy sex abuse can file a claim in civil court until they reach 55 or within 7 years of coming to the realization the abuse causes severe damage. The lawsuit also allows anyone who previously attempted to file a claim for clergy sexual abuse and was turned away because it was past the statute of limitations, to file the claim regardless of their age. This previous will expire in 2 years from the date of the law taking effect.

Clergy often do not act alone when sexually abusing children. Many other people often ignore signs or do not live up tot heir responsibility when in charge of the children because they believe the clergy members are to be trusted. Some members of the community that may be accomplices, willingly or unwillingly, to clergy sexual abuse may include, but are not limited to:

• Religious elders
• Therapists, counselors, or others in a position to report the suspicions or incidents
• Adults responsible for children within the religious community
• Religious schoolteachers
• Religious leaders

New Jersey clergy abuse victims are witnesses in criminal court when pressing charges against clergy members. The criminal court’s goal is to stop the clergy members from having access to continue the sexual abuse with any children. The sentences may include:

• Aggravated assault when the victim is under the age of 13 or between 13 and 16 and the abuser has control over them. This can include a sentence of up to 20 years in prison
• Sexual assault when a child is between the ages of 13 and 17 or between 16 and 18 and the abuser has control over them. This can include a sentence of up to 10 years in prison
• Clergy convicted of sexual abuse must also register as a national sex offender.

In New Jersey civil court, victims of clergy sexual abuse are a party to the lawsuit. They are plaintiffs that are bringing suit against the clergy to obtain relief from the courts. Some of the remedies available to victims of clergy sex abuse may include, but are not limited to:

• Reimbursement of medical and other related expenses
• Payment for therapists or counseling
• Attorney’s fees
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Punitive damages

• Lauren’s Kids. Lauren’s Kids offers guidance and education to victims of sexual abuse to begin the healing process.
• RAINN. The Rape, Assault, Incest, National Network is the largest national organization that helps victims of sexual assault. The organization provides a hotline to help victims of sex abuse as well as other resources to help people more on and start a new life.
• Darkness to Light. Darkness to Light helps victims of sex abuse by helping them find therapists and other helpful resources.
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. The organization helps sexually abused children by using evaluations and therapies to overcome the trauma of the abuse.
• Stop It Now. Stop It Now is meant to help adult survivors of clergy sexual abuse find the organizations to help the healing process.