Sexual abuse in the Catholic church is a necessary conversation and has been for far too long. Our pastors and clergy members are supposed to be the safe adults in our lives and those of our children, and when that trust is broken, it can destroy communities, families, and individual vibrance.
Moving forward after sexual abuse is a feat that can take many people years or even decades, and regardless of where you are in your journey, you are not responsible for what someone else did.
Our firm has a demonstrated commitment to Michigan injury victims through mass and class action litigation as well as individual representation. As a firm, we strive to provide personalized representation to our clients, and our clergy sex abuse lawyer shares that dedication. If Father John Hammer or any other member of the clergy sexually abused you, White Law PLLC is here to listen to your story.
Diocese Investigations
Father John Hammer ended his tenure at the Diocese of Saginaw, who accepted him after he was unable to work in the Ohio and Maryland Diocese following allegations of abuse and parent concerns about his return.
Michigan opened a statewide investigation into all seven local dioceses in 2018, including Saginaw, where physical and electronic records were seized for review. This investigation is to help Michigan sexual abuse lawyers identify clergy members acting as sexual abusers and any leadership failing to act regarding complaints of sexual abuse accusations.
The Diocese of Saginaw provided assignments for Jon (Jack) Hammer for twelve years after he was stripped of faculties in Baltimore in 1990. In lawsuits filed by Michigan criminal defense lawyers on behalf of Hammer’s survivors, it was stated that Saginaw leadership may have had knowledge of Hammer’s behavior as early as 1978. This knowledge precedes his abuse of multiple children.
The Michigan attorney general’s office is releasing reports on the findings of each Diocese, and Saginaw is anticipated to come at some point in 2025.
Before the release of the full AG report, the Bishop Accountability database reported 16 men credibly accused. However, this list of 16 does not include Hammer, who is listed under the Diocese of Youngstown, OH despite most of his work being in Saginaw.
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endured clergy sex abuse,
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Father John Hammer
Father John Hammer originated from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, and was ordained in 1979. The attorney general report shares that Father Hammer was dismissed from Youngstown in 1985 after he admitted to child sexual abuse from a period of 1980-1983. He was referred to St. Lukes for treatment, where he was treated for sex addiction and pedophilia.
When Hammer was released, he received faculties from the Archdiocese of Baltimore to work as a chaplain at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore. In 1986, the Bishop of Youngstown signed an indemnity agreement protecting the Archdiocese of Baltimore from liability for concerns regarding Reverend John E. Hammer and Youngstown later stated that Hammer could not return to their parish due to concerns from parents.
There are three credible sexual abuse allegations against John Hammer from men alleging sexual abuse when they were in their teens. These accusations range from when Hammer was in St. Louis near the beginning of his career to allegations of molestation when he worked in Saginaw in 2001. The proceedings for Hammer’s survivors were civil and meant to be a beacon for others to come forward.
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How does Clergy Sexual Abuse Happen?
In the case of John Hammer, one of the most glaring reasons he was able to continue abusing children in his churches was simply the negligence of those around him.
Hammer had admitted to acts of sexual violence, and while he was referred for treatment, there was minimal additional effort to protect the well-being of those around him. In the documents referenced in the attorney general report cited above, it even appears that he would have been able to return to his original parish if not for objection from parents.
Beyond the specific instance of John Hammer, sexual abuse is not often a quick or single occurrence, particularly when it comes to children. Sexual predators often engage in grooming their target, a term that refers to the systematic desensitization of a child to sexual themes or behaviors. If caught early, grooming can be a common indicator of child sexual abuse (CSA)
Grooming establishes trust with the child and often their family and helps the abuser gain or keep control of their victim. This behavior may come more easily to predators in the role of a clergy member due to the inherent mentoring in many positions. This makes it easier for a predator to isolate, manipulate, and abuse children.
Indicators of Grooming and CSA
If you are concerned about an adult’s relationship with your child, this is enough to ask questions. As a parent, there are a few reasons you have to allow another person to have contact with your child. However, there may be other indicators of grooming and sexual abuse, such as:
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Nightmares
- Suddenly become secretive
- Mood Swings
- Sexually explicit play
- Self-harm
Lasting Effects of Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is all too common of an occurrence in the United States. The rape abuse incest national network (RAINN) reports that one in nine girls and 1 in 20 boys under the age of 18 will be sexually assaulted and abused in their life.
Additionally, girls 16-19 are four times more likely to be sexually assaulted or abused than other demographics, leaving them with lasting effects such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Eating disorders
Call a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today
White Law PLLC is committed to serving survivors of clergy sexual abuse and helping them seek closure and justice whenever possible. Our case results demonstrate our commitment to recovering damages in settlements for the despicable behavior of perpetrators like John Hammer. If you have survived abuse at the hands of a clergy member, what happened is not your fault.
We are committed to helping you in your journey to recovery when you decide to speak out about your experience. As we have seen, one person stepping forward can encourage others to do the same. Call us today for a free case consultation to discuss your options.
You have the right to reach out to
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