A new law recently passed this year in Texas and 14 other states could bring thousands of new lawsuits against the Roman Catholic Church and other institutions thanks to the law’s increased the time in which a sexual abuse victim can file suit. The laws, which are called Child Victims Acts (CVAs), were created with the rationale that most children don’t understand what constitutes sexual abuse, and they deserve legal recourse as adults – whether that be in the form of criminal or civil justice.
What Are Child Victim Acts?
The Child Victims Act, passed earlier this year by several states including Texas, New York, and California, extends the statute of limitations for victims of sexual abuse to file a criminal or civil lawsuit. In Texas, the statute of limitations increased from 15 to 30 years, while states like New York and California removed the timetable entirely, allowing sexual abuse victims to file a lawsuit regardless of how long ago the abuse happened. In New York, the vast majority of filings named Catholic priests as the abusers and sought damages from the diocese and parishes in which the offenses allegedly occurred. In fact, over 400 lawsuits were filed the very first day that the litigation window opened in August, many of which named religious organizations, educational institutions and even the Boy Scouts of America.
Sexual Abuse Cases Against The Church
The topic of sexual abuse and the Roman Catholic Church isn’t anything new, with numerous documented cases of sexual abuse and cover-ups, the church has faced intense scrutiny and backlash for the increased number of allegations. Cases against the church have gone back decades, with recent case settlements, like the one against a priest at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Austin, TX, as recent as September of this year. In fact, in January 2019, the Roman Catholic Church in Texas released the names of over 300 priests who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse dating back nearly eight decades.
Past Settlements By The Church
Out-of-court settlements are important for the Roman Catholic Church, as they help keep the enormity of the sexual abuse claims against the church out of the mainstream news. In fact, Bishop Accountability, a non-profit set up to document abuse by the Roman Catholic Church, shows that the Church has paid out nearly $4 billion over sexual abuse claims through August 2018 alone. The list of major payouts that groups such as Bishop Accountability document, end up being a fraction of the over 15,235 allegations the bishops say they have received through 2009 (which also only account for 5% of the over 100,000 U.S. victims that Fr. Andrew Greeley estimated in a 1993 study). Below are just a few of the major settlements that the church has paid out over the years.
- $660 million by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (2007)
- $198 million by the Diocese of San Diego (2007)
- $100 million by the Diocese of Orange (2005)
- $85 million by the Archdiocese of Boston (2003)
- $60 million by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (2006)
- $48 million by the Diocese of Spokane, Washington (2004)
- $31 million by the Diocese of Dallas (1997)
- $25.7 million by the Archdiocese of Louisville (2003)
- $22.2 million by the Archdiocese of Tucson (2004)
- $12 million by the Diocese of Charleston (2007)
- $12 million by the Diocese of Charleston (2007)
- $5.5 million by the Archdiocese of Denver (2008)
Can I Sue The Church For Sexual Abuse?
If you were sexually abused as a child by a member of the Catholic Church, you may have grounds to sue for the physical and mental abuse you’ve sustained during and after the acts. A church has a responsibility to adequately supervise its members, and its negligence to do resulting in sexual abuse allows for legal claims against both the church itself and the larger institution that it falls under. Since most sexual abuse victims don’t speak up about their abuse until years, or even decades later, the recent CVA’s now allow victims to find justice and gain compensation for the abuse they suffered decades ago.
What Injuries Can I Sue For?
Due to the nature of sexual abuse against children, and the lack of a child’s understanding surrounding the abuse as it happens, injuries are usually broad and long-lasting. In addition to your physical injuries, you may be able to seek compensation for any mental and physiological injuries that you continue to experience after the abuse. According to RAACE, the mental and physiological symptoms of sexual abuse as a child can lead to numerous other issues later on in adulthood. Below are just a few:
Injuries That Are Commonly Associated With Child Sexual Abuse:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Flashbacks
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Dissociation
- Substance Abuse
- Eating Disorders
- Sleep Disorders
- Attempted Suicide
- Self-Mutilation
- Sexual Dysfunction
Contact A Lawyer That’s Experienced With Sexual Abuse Claims
At the Weycer Law Firm, we’re dedicated to bringing those who sexually abuse children and others to justice. If you were sexually abused by a member of a church, you may be entitled to compensation for your physical and long-term mental injuries. Discuss your case for FREE today by contacting us online or by calling (713) 668-4545.