The Church is supposed to be much more than a place of religious education and worship. It is also supposed to be a place of safety and community where families are cared for and get the physical, financial and emotional assistance they need in times of need. If abuse happens to people in any way when they come to the Church for refuge and assistance, the damages are devastating. Many different kinds of abuse can occur, such as:
- Control, manipulation and emotional abuse, as can happen in cults
- Financial fraud and exploitation
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
If you or a loved one has suffered sexual abuse from the Catholic Church in Sacramento, California, contact the excellent attorneys at Teal and Montgomery. We have offices in Sacramento and Santa Rosa and are prepared to handle your case. Call us today at 916-448-1010 or contact us online.
The Reality of Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
The horrors of priest sexual abuse are well known to us by now. Archdioceses throughout the United States knew of priests who were sexual predators. Rather than expose this conduct to authorities, leadership in the Roman Catholic Church moved these priests from parish to parish. In the process, countless innocent children suffered sexual abuse. There are now thousands of reported instances of abuse. Although the Catholic Church has taken steps to be more proactive as to allegations of priest abuse, the fact remains that for years, the Catholic Church allowed these outrages to happen.
The Damaging Effects of Sexual Abuse
If you are a survivor of abuse as a child, the psychological, physical and emotional injuries can cause untold damage in your life. You may have suffered some of the following damaging effects of sexual abuse:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Suicidal Thoughts
- Self-harm
- Eating Disorders
- Nervous Breakdown
- Inability to have healthy relationships
- Pregnancy
Healing from Sexual Abuse and Seeking Justice
One way to continue the recovery process is by taking steps to hold your abuser, and those who allowed the abuse to take place, accountable. Although it can be emotional and difficult to revisit the traumatic memories of your abuse, pursing justice legally can help to bring closure and healing to your life. The only kind of people you want on your team are compassionate and understanding attorneys with experience and knowledge of your situation.
We are the law firm of Teal Law Group. With offices in Sacramento and Santa Rosa, our attorneys fight for people across Northern California and beyond.
Our Process with Catholic Church Abuse Cases
Every single personal injury case is different. Cases involving sexual abuse are unique, complex and sensitive, and those that involve clergy and the Catholic Church require even more knowledge and expertise.
In priest abuse cases, we will look closely at the employment history of your abuser, as well as if there have been any other allegations against the priest. If there is evidence to show that church leadership knew or should have known about your abuser, we will find it. We will then prepare a persuasive claim for your damages. Although many abuse cases do settle before reaching the trial stage, our law firm will be prepared to take your case before a judge and jury if it is necessary.
Contact the Lawyers of Teal Law Group
If you are a victim of sexual abuse by a priest and are ready to discuss your abuse, we are ready to listen. Contact us or call 916-448-1010 to schedule a free initial consultation at your convenience.