Clergy Sex Abuse Attorneys in Philadelphia

Clergy sexual abuse can be subtle and ongoing, or drastic and abrupt. Some examples of clergy sex abuse include, but are not limited to:

• Sharing pornographic material with a child
• Possession of child pornography
• Forcing a child to have sex with another person
• Videotaping or recording a child in sexual acts
• Forcing a child to touch a clergy person’s genitals or intimate areas
• Touching a child’s genitals or intimate areas
• Vaginal, anal, or oral penetration with a finger, penis, or other objects
• Sending sexually explicit emails
• Sexting

Victims of clergy sex abuse experienced severe trauma. They are betrayed in a horrific manner by the person or people they are taught are closest to God. They are made to feel ashamed and that God brought this on them for their sins. Many experiences the following as a result of the abuse:

• Severe nightmares
• Night terrors
• Low self-esteem
• Substance abuse
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Distrust of authority
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Schizophrenia

Victims of clergy sex abuse in Philadelphia are often children who are in coveted positions within the religious community. These children feel it is an honor to be called by God to be in these positions. They can be males or females and come from any economic background. The clergy people take advantage of their position within the community and the level of trust bestowed upon them by the parents and children. They use this trust through their advantage to groom and then sexually use and abuse these children. The children are often ashamed and feel that the actions are God’s will because the clergy has conditioned them to believe that.

Reports of clergy sex abuse in Philadelphia sparked changes in the laws affecting the ability to report clergy sexual abuse and even bring a lawsuit. Ass of August 27, 2002, a victim of clergy sexual abuse can file a lawsuit for any clergy sexual abuse which occurred on or after that date until the victim reaches the age of 30. Any incident occurring before August 27, 2002, includes a statute of limitations of 5 years after the victim turns 18 (or until the victim reaches age 23).

As for criminal charges, any child under the age of 18 can, at any point until the age of 18, press charges against a clergy person for clergy sexual abuse. However, since 2002, once the victim reaches 18, the time limit to file a criminal complaint is 32 years, or once the victim reaches the age of 50.

In a religious community, there are many people responsible for a child. As a result, many people could and should be held responsible for clergy sexual abuse. Accomplices to the abuse may include, but are not limited to:

• Other members of the clergy community
• Individuals with a responsibility to report wrongdoing that chose not to report it
• Religious teachers
• Community elders

When a person is the victim of clergy sex abuse, they become witnesses in criminal court to help put the clergy person in prison so they cannot continue to hurt others. The sentencing for clergy sexual abuse are:

• First-degree misdemeanor. The sentence is up to 5 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines
• Third-degree felony. The sentence is up to 7 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines.
• Second-degree felony. The sentence is up to 10 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
• First-degree felony. The sentence is up to 20 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.

In contrast, when you choose to file a lawsuit against the clergy who sexually abused you, you become a party in the lawsuit. The courts offer relief to plaintiffs who are victims of clergy sexual abuse in the form of:

• Reimbursement of medical and other related expenses
• Therapy and counseling expenses
• Loss of income
• Attorney’s fees
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages

• Lauren’s Kids. Lauren’s Kids helps children by offering guidance and education to begin the healing process.
• RAINN. Rape, Assault, Incest, National Network is the largest national organization which provides a hotline to help victims of clergy 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 clergy sex abuse find therapists, and other helpful resources needed to move forward.
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. This organization helps children overcome the trauma of the abuse through the use of evaluation and therapies.
• Stop It Now. Stop It Now is geared towards helping adult survivors of clergy sexual abuse find the organizations to help the healing process.