For victims of sexual abuse in LDS churches, there is nothing that can make the pain and loss any better. Our Detroit clergy sexual abuse lawyer at White Law PLLC has the experience to seek out damages from those who hurt you. If you are a victim, we value your privacy and aim to provide you with exceptional support and compassion, navigating your legal right to seek compensation, of which we have obtained more than $1.4 billion for our clients.
Who Is at Fault for Sexual Abuse in the LDS Churches
If you were a member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), consider yourself a Mormon, or a member of this church, you may not have any idea you were victimized.
The church, founded by Joseph Smith in the early 1800s, follows a wide range of beliefs, but none of those beliefs gives anyone the right to cause pain to others. Some of those who may be responsible for sexual abuse in the LDS churches include anyone who served as a role model within these organizations.
Victims who experienced sexual abuse from anyone within the church or a member of it may have the right to seek compensation against anyone who knew what was occurring and did not take steps to prevent or stop it. This may include any person who was in an ecclesiastical or leadership role within the church or any group surrounding it. This includes any person who had a position to wield control over others within the church.
Many of those who were victimized were children, but even adults could have experienced sexual abuse in some form. Mormon bishops, too, could be responsible, especially due to the very close relationship they often fostered with children. If anyone hurts you by misrepresenting religious beliefs, you need an attorney who can guide you.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
Many Have Brought Claims Against LDS Churches
There have been numerous instances of victims stepping forward to share what happened to them. Often thought of as church scandals and not widely talked about within the church itself, these victims have sought to hold those who hurt them accountable for their losses. Some claims include:
- Sexual touching
- Non-sexual acts that involved inappropriate touching
- Mental manipulation
- Emotional manipulation
- Grooming
Sexual abuse may involve the touching of a person’s genitals or private parts for sexual gratification, as well as making a child touch their genitals or another person’s for the same reason. Additionally, any penetration with any object or body part, vaginally, orally, or anally can fall into this category. It is critical that you seek out help if you believe you could have been a victim.
Additional Types of Risks Exist that May Fall into This Area
There are numerous other types of sexual abuse that do not involve actual physical contact. These are still forms of sexual abuse that should be reported to the police. We encourage you to seek help if you were hurt in any of the following ways:
- A child being shown pornography or creating pornographic materials that involve children
- Intentional exposing genitals or another person’s genitals to a child
- Masturbating or other types of sexual acts being witnessed by a child
- Inappropriately watching a child undress or bathe
Many of these risks occur in what seems to be an innocent manner. Often, children were groomed through the development of close relationships before any of these types of acts were taken. Keep in mind that grooming may be something parents did not realize was occurring or may not have done anything about.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
How to Know if Your Loved One Suffered Sexual Abuse
Because of the emotional turmoil and devastation that sexual abuse in the LDS churches can cause, it is important to seek out help if you or anyone you know were abused or if they may have been. Often, those who are hurt may not seek out the support they need for various reasons. Some of the signs of grooming that may be an indication that abuse took place include:
- The child spending time away from home with other adults
- Receiving gifts
- Being secretive or withdrawn from family members
- Children who feel anxious or depressed
- Children who display sexualized behaviors
- Children who engage in reckless behavior
- Self-harming behavior
- Feelings of being ashamed or guilty
- Suffering from depression, anxiety, or eating disorders
While these elements on their own may not mean sexual abuse occurred in every situation, they could mean that a family member or yourself were at risk. Seeking out help could be critical to protecting your future. Let our attorneys at White Law PLLC help you and review our case results today.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
How a Sexual Abuse Victim Attorney Can Help You
When you are facing difficult situations like this, it can be hard to know what to do or even what your legal options are. When you meet with our sexual abuse victim’s attorney, you gain the insight you need to know what your legal rights and options are. You do not have to act on anything, but you should know what those risks are.
Our personal injury attorneys will fight aggressively to protect your rights and advocate for the support you need. That could include receiving compensation for the losses you endured and helping you to get the medical and mental health care that you need to recover. Even if you are unsure what could be done to make this better, reaching out to our legal team can afford you options.
Our attorneys are professionals who care about protecting our clients and their futures. When you are unsure what your rights are, you deserve an attorney whose only goal is to represent you. Let our team be there to do just that and read through our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.
Contact Our Attorneys Now to Discuss Your Case
For those who need help after sexual abuse in LDS churches, know that our team at White Law PLLC is committed to being there by your side. Contact our attorneys now to discuss your case and learn more about the legal options available to you at a free consultation. We are passionate about providing our clients with exceptional support even through the most difficult times of their lives.
We’re Experienced. We Care.
We Exceed Client Expectations.
