Your religious institution should be a place where you are not only welcomed but also feel free to worship in peace. The members of the clergy should be people you trust to provide guidance and care, and many of them take their duties seriously.
Catholic clergy in particular have a reputation for sexual misconduct and abuse. This is due to many of them abusing their powers and privileges to take advantage of children and other vulnerable groups of the congregation.
Even more alarming, clergy members may try to cover up or ignore the allegations, causing the victims of these incidents even greater harm. Criminal charges are meant to punish the perpetrators, though if you endured clergy sexual abuse, you need an Illinois church sexual abuse attorney to help you hold them accountable. The Illinois personal injury law offices of 844SeeMike Personal Injury Lawyers are committed to providing the compassionate legal support victims need in these horrific cases of sexual misconduct.
Whether you have a minor who endured child sexual abuse or you are a member of a church who was subjected to sexual abuse by members of the clergy, we offer clergy sexual abuse legal help in Illinois to fight for justice. With the help of an Illinois church sexual abuse attorney, the eyes of the law will be laser-focused on seeking the full extent of damages deserved in your clergy sexual assault case. Contact our clergy sexual abuse attorneys today to discuss your sexual abuse claims in complete privacy and confidentiality in a free initial consultation.
The Importance of Addressing Clergy Sexual Abuse in Illinois
Unfortunately, clergy sexual abuse is widespread, and the worst part about it is that these clergy members use their position to garner trust. From young children to those who have turned to the church to find their way and connect with God, victims of sexual abuse often do not realize that Catholic priests and other religious leaders are causing them harm.
In the Catholic church, the Chicago archdiocese has had clergy members who have turned into sexual abusers. Sexual abuse, particularly child sexual abuse, is something that should never happen. When sexual abuse occurs, victims are often left questioning if they’ve done something wrong.
It may start as sexualized conversations, then turn into touching without consent. Invading personal space, making sexual jokes or using sexual language, and pressuring for sexual acts are all types of sexual abuse. Clergy sexual abuse continues because many victims are afraid of speaking up. They are terrified of retaliation, either from their abuser or other members of the clergy. Others simply don’t realize that what is happening is sexual abuse and that they do not have to tolerate being touched inappropriately or perform acts that they do not wish to participate in.
While the Catholic clergy is often in the spotlight for clergy abuse, it is essential to note that religious sexual abuse cases can arise in any faith and denomination. It is a criminal offense as per 720 ILCS 5/11-1.50, though it can also carry significant civil penalties for the abuser.
Legal Options and Rights for Victims of Sexual Assault by a Member of a Religious Institution
Clergy sexual abuse survivors should know that they do not have to endure this any longer and that they have a whole support system to help them through the aftermath. There will likely be a criminal case as a result, where the perpetrators of these unspeakable acts can be punished for their crimes.
The state may pursue criminal charges after these allegations are brought to light. Prosecutors will seek justice under the law, and the result will be that abusers from these religious organizations will be punished and kept from abusing other vulnerable members of the church and society at large.
Civil cases are another way that abuse survivors can use their legal rights. Many people who are sexually abused do not realize that they can recover financial compensation through a civil lawsuit. Clergy sexual abuse cases are brought to civil court to hold the abuser accountable on civil claims for physical injuries, emotional distress, and the financial fallout it has caused.
Steps Involved in Clergy Abuse Cases
If you or a loved one has been sexually abused, the first step is to report what happened. You can call the police and file a report or call child protective services on behalf of a minor. In the event that you sustained injuries that were physical through clergy sexual abuse, make sure you seek medical treatment.
Even if the injuries aren’t extreme, getting them checked helps you document that a clergy member sexually abused you. It may be challenging to discuss, though, tell the doctor treating you that you were sexually abused so that they can perform specific tests. This will create medical records that can be used to show that sexual assault or abuse occurred.
Perhaps the most crucial step to take for victims of sexual abuse is to contact a clergy sexual abuse lawyer. A clergy sexual abuse lawyer will have experience in dealing with these types of claims. They will know the tactics and power plays that are often conducted by religious institutions, particularly the Catholic church, and will be prepared to hold all liable parties accountable for your monetary compensation.
Overcoming Challenges in Cases Involving Clergy Sexual Assault
Abuse survivors often find it challenging to face the clergy members who have caused them to suffer harm. Religious organizations usually try to turn the victims rather than hold the abusers accountable for their nefarious conduct. Whether a Catholic priest or other trusted member of the church did these unspeakable acts, they often try to control their victims. This is why so many cases of abuse in these settings go unreported.
The fear you feel is extremely real, though you no longer have to hide from it or suffer in silence. The law firm of 844SeeMike Personal Injury Lawyers is committed to helping you seek what is fair for the harm you have suffered. Our legal team provides confidential consultations for all, allowing you to discuss these sensitive topics in complete privacy.
Seeking Maximum Compensation for Chicago Clergy Sexual Abuse
The attorneys at our law firm understand that what you have been through is horrific, life-altering, and will require extensive treatment to help you cope. Even though money will not make what happened fade away, it will provide you with what you need to get the mental health counseling and treatments you need to move forward.
You joined the church because you wanted to belong to something. You wanted to be closer to God and live in His world, following his words, and trying to be a good person. You did not make a mistake – people who promised to uphold God’s words took advantage of you under the guise of being trustworthy. For these actions, they should be punished. While criminal courts will handle those charges, your civil lawsuit can reveal the truth of what happened, sparing others from this harm and allowing you to move forward into a better future.
The compensation you receive can provide you with all your medical costs for your injuries, including medical bills for surgery, mental health treatment, prescriptions, and more. You may have been traumatized to the point that you couldn’t work, costing you your income and future earnings. There are also intangible losses, such as the pain and suffering you have endured from trusting a Catholic priest who subjected you to this type of abuse. The emotional distress you’ve suffered from can be compensated, as can your loss of enjoyment of life.
Our law firm can also explore other legal options, such as imposing punitive damages. In cases like these, where members of the clergy commit heinous acts, 735 ILCS 5/2-1115.05(b) states that plaintiffs can recover punitive damages if they can prove with clear and convincing evidence that the defendant conducted themselves with evil motives or reckless indifference to the risk of harm.
Whether this occurred with the Church of Latter Day Saints, the Catholic church, or another religious entity, you should not face this alone or let these abusers get away with it. There are legal options for you and legal counsel who care at 844SeeMike Personal Injury Lawyers.
The Significance of Choosing an Illinois Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer
In clergy sexual abuse cases, victims are terrified of being blamed. They often convince themselves that they must have done something wrong or that they deserved what happened. No one is allowed to treat you in these ways and abuse you the way that you have suffered.
Do not be afraid to stand up to them, as our attorneys will protect you and keep them from ever abusing you again. If you don’t speak up, the abuse will continue for others. You have the chance to stop it in its tracks, though you need an attorney who has represented other victims of this type of abuse and knows the tactics these leaders in religion use to try to get away with their abuse.
Our law firm will first investigate and gather the evidence needed to strengthen your claim. We will take your medical records that indicate physical abuse, as well as interview witnesses. In taking these actions, we will build a solid case that holds these people in religious power accountable for the abuse they have inflicted. We will seek the maximum in compensation to help you pay for the treatments you will likely need for the rest of your life, and we will do everything we can to get them out of this position of power so that they may never harm another soul again.
At 844SeeMike Personal Injury Lawyers, we are deeply committed to cases like these because we believe religion should be about being welcomed in and having that connection to God. Religions have beautiful teachings that, when done correctly, make people better overall. When confident leaders abuse those powers in specific circumstances, it sullies faiths and what they represent. Contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation where you can speak with our compassionate attorneys about what happened in a safe space without judgment or harm.
