Sexual abuse in any context is horrendous, and those who engage in it deserve maximum criminal punishment. In recent years, details have come to light about sexual abuse that has taken place within the Catholic Church. Priests and other religious leaders who use their position in the Church to prey upon young children have violated a sacred trust, and they must be held accountable.
The criminal justice system exists to punish and deter wrongful behavior; the civil system is there to hold abusers financially liable for the consequences of their actions. At Hale & Monico, we represent Catholic Church sex abuse victims in civil cases. If you or a loved one were sexually abused by someone in the Catholic Church, you may have a claim.
The Extent of Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church
Unfortunately, sexual abuse by priests and other leaders in the Catholic Church is no longer news. Victims have been stepping forward for years to relay disturbing stories of indecent and criminal behavior. Parents who once placed their faith in the Church have had to grapple with the reality that their trust was betrayed.
Especially troublesome, however, is the revelation that the Church engaged in concerted efforts to hide the abuse and silence victims. Instead of responding to allegations and addressing instances of abuse, the Church covered up the crimes and focused on protecting its reputation. This allowed abusive priests and other leaders to get away with and continue abusing minors.
In December 2018, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan released findings related to an investigation of six Catholic dioceses in the state. The dioceses identified 185 priests whom they believed were credibly accused of sexually abusing children. But there were another 500 priests against whom allegations had been made. The Church did not adequately investigate these claims or turn the names of the alleged abusers over to law enforcement. This was not only a moral failing but opened the Church to severe civil liability.
Signs of Catholic Church Sex Abuse
Children who were victimized by priests and other leaders in the Catholic Church may not be able to communicate what happened to them. Adults who were abused as children may have suppressed memories of their attacks, or might not be sure they were actually victims.
It is important for parents of young children to be on the lookout for any signs that their children may have suffered from Catholic Church sex abuse. Every victim responds to abuse differently, and the presence of any of these factors may not indicate abuse. Nonetheless, these are some warning signs:
- Unusual changes in mood, behavior, or personality, especially unexplained outbursts
- Social isolation and withdrawal from activities the child once enjoyed
- Unexplained avoidance of certain adults who may have engaged in abuse, or places where abuse may have occurred
- Poor performance in school, including discipline problems
- Bedwetting, nightmares, and sudden fear of sleeping in the dark
- Regressive behaviors in older children, such as thumb-sucking
- Running away from home
- Substance or drug abuse in adults
- Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts
Why Should I Hire A Sex Abuse Attorney?
Long after a sexual abuser is tried, convicted, and imprisoned, the victim will have to struggle with what happened. Sexually abused children, and adults who were abused when they were younger, often need professional treatment to cope with the abuse. This is especially true when substance and drug abuse, self-harm, or attempted suicide are involved. These are common conditions experienced by Catholic Church sexual abuse victims, and they require serious medical attention.
Recovery after sexual abuse can take years, and that means extensive counseling, therapy, prescription medication, and more. In some cases, hospitalization and involuntary commitment to a mental health facility may be required. Children who were repeatedly victimized, or subjected to violent sexual abuse, will need significant help.
Professional treatment is expensive, and it can wreak financial havoc on victims and their families. Sexual abusers should be responsible for these expenses. Because the Catholic Church engaged in concerted efforts to conceal abuse and evade responsibility, the Church may also be liable. This is especially important because the individual priest or other abuser may have limited financial resources.
That’s where the civil litigation process comes in. Your attorney will not only work to build a strong case that can convince a jury, but will make sure anyone with potential liability is brought into the case.
Possible Damages For Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Victims
Depending on the circumstances in your case, you may be eligible for these and other damages:
Medical bills and related expenses. These are designed to cover costs for hospitalization and treatment for physical injuries. Victims who attempted suicide or engaged in self-harm will want to seriously consider these damages.
Therapy and mental health care costs. These address the wide range of recovery tools that a victim may need, including treatment for anxiety, depression, and other disorders. Ask your attorney about recovering costs for future expenses as well.
Costs for prescription drugs. Victims may need expensive medications to cope with the trauma inflicted upon them.
Damages for pain and suffering. Often, these damages will include mental and emotional distress.
No amount of compensation will ever undo the violation of sexual abuse. But damages help victims pay for their treatment while punishing organizations, like the Catholic Church, that actively enable abuse.
Contact A Chicago Catholic Church Abuse Attorney Today
The attorneys of Hale & Monico understand the pain and trauma of sexual abuse, and we know how difficult it can be to confront what happened to you or your child. Our team will investigate your claim and advise you of your legal rights. Taking on a powerful institution such as the Catholic Church is no easy task, but we will put our litigation experience to work for you. Contact us today.