When clergy members commit sexual abuse, they must be held accountable. Allow a Chicago clergy sex abuse lawyer to take on your case.
Many people trust priests and other church officials more than anyone else in their lives. This has changed in the last few decades as more people have come forward as victims of clergy sexual abuse.
The bravery these people are showing is helping to call out abusers and bring justice to more victims. It’s also inspiring more people to come forward.
Clergy members have sexually assaulted children, and their guise of trust and knowledge also allows them to assault adults with little fear of being reported or those reports being believed. It’s difficult to voice your experiences, but with help, you can.
If you have been the victim of any form of sexual abuse, you deserve justice. This isn’t only about paying for the medical and therapy bills. It’s about protecting the person in the next pew. A Chicago clergy sexual abuse lawyer from Lane & Lane, LLC would be honored to handle your case.
Types of Sexual Abuse
There are many ways to emotionally scar someone with sexual acts, and all perpetrators should be held criminally and civilly accountable. We understand it’s hard to bring something like this up to family, a health professional, or a lawyer. When the abuser is an esteemed priest or reverend, it may seem impossible, but it’s not.
Priests and other members of the church in Chicago may commit any number of types of sexual abuse toward adults, including the following:
- Sexual harassment
- Unwanted sexual advances
- Exploitation
- Forced observation of sexual acts
- Rape
- Unwanted touching, fondling, or kissing
- Unwanted violent sexual activity
- Drug- and alcohol-facilitated assault (date rape)
Forms of sexual abuse against children include all of the aforementioned, as well as the following horrific acts:
- Forcing children to undress
- Showing children child pornography and taking photos of nude children
- Forcing children to perform sexual acts with an adult or other children
Compensation for the Harm Done to You
These are all terrible acts, and they need to be stopped. The clergy member responsible must be held accountable. A Chicago church sex abuse lawyer can help you do that—not just for the financial support you need to try to regain your mental and physical health, but also to keep others safe.
Your legal team will investigate medical records, personal histories, and witnesses and work with experts to prove your side of the story. Then, we may seek compensation for the following on your behalf:
- Medical expenses
- Costly psychological and emotional therapy
- Emotional distress, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), fear of people or churches, nightmares and night terrors, and emotional outbursts
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
Contact a Chicago Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorney
We understand that this is an unimaginably difficult situation, and addressing it in court is a personal choice. If you’re ready to hold a member of the clergy accountable for sexual abuse, we’re ready to help you. We believe abusers must be stopped.
A Chicago clergy sexual abuse lawyer at Lane & Lane, LLC will treat you with understanding, compassion, and respect while pursuing justice on your behalf. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, call us at 312-332-1400 or fill out the online contact form below.
