Survivors of sexual abuse continue to call for accountability in cases involving Father Lawrence Ventline. Parishioners place profound trust in church leaders, viewing them as moral and spiritual guides. Tragically, for many survivors of clergy abuse, this trust has been betrayed in the most devastating ways.
Legal pathways remain available for survivors to pursue justice, even when clergy members have faced prior criminal charges or convictions. At White Law PLLC, founding attorney Jamie White is committed to providing compassionate legal representation and advocacy for survivors in Michigan.
Schedule a free consultation with a compassionate clergy sexual abuse lawyer from White Law PLLC to discuss a claim involving Father Lawrence Ventline’s sexual abuse allegations.
Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Lawrence Ventline
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs initially cited sexual abuse allegations against Lawrence Ventline in a 2019 disciplinary subcommittee summary. Allegations include at least three sexual acts on three different occasions involving an 11-year-old student. Documentation of a more recent allegation of sexual abuse also exists, with survivors alleging Father Lawrence Ventline engaged in the following:
- The open display of his genitalia and requesting a student to touch him
- Pulling down the student’s pants to touch the student’s genitalia
- Penetration of the student performed in each incident
- Indecent exposure in a bakery captured on surveillance video
Lawrence Ventline also faced counseling and mental health allegations, according to the report, and failed to comply with a physician’s treatment suggestions to address his mental state. Ventline continued to provide counseling services outside the church, declining to indicate that he possessed an educationally limited license. A pleading of no contest was entered for allegations involving indecent exposure in the bakery.
Michigan Attorney General’s Response
The findings by the disciplinary committee led to the Michigan Attorney General‘s summary suspension of Father Lawrence Ventline’s professional counseling license to ensure his inability to provide legal counseling services to children, and a $5,000 fine was also ordered.
The statute of limitations expired on each report of sexual abuse of a minor. Because of investigations into Father Lawrence Ventline’s sexual abuse allegations, the Archdiocese of Detroit put in place restrictions from public ministry.
The summary suspension in 2019 addresses alleged sexual abuse beginning in 1989 and continuing in 1990. While every action under the law may not be possible against an alleged sexual abuser when a delay in reporting occurs, other actions of recourse may be possible. Speak with law enforcement to pursue criminal action or a clergy sexual abuse lawyer in Detroit to learn about your options under civil law before reporting the abuse to your church.
If you or someone you know
endured clergy sex abuse,
contact White Law PLLC today.
Survivors Speak Out About the Impact of Suppressing Sexual Abuse
White Law PLLC has had the honor of representing Greg D’Alessandro in his pursuit of justice for the abuse he endured from clergy members, including Lawrence Ventline. He was abused from fourth through eighth grade. His perpetrators used fear tactics to silence him, even invoking the threat of eternal damnation.
He suppressed his memories for decades, building a successful family and career, before the trauma began to resurface and take a huge toll on his life. His personal and professional relationships began to fall apart. After working through his trauma, Greg is sharing his story and serves as a beacon of hope for other survivors.
Victims of clergy abuse continue to advocate for changes to laws that block them from seeking justice and compensation. In Greg’s case, the abuse fell outside of the statute of limitations, but his testimony, along with others, helped make an impact. It led to a church investigation, public acknowledgment of credible allegations, and disciplinary measures.
As ongoing legal support, we notify clients when the statute of limitations for filing a civil action changes to provide more time for legal action. A clergy sexual abuse attorney with our firm also informs survivors about sex abuse lookback windows that offer avenues for seeking compensation.
It is common for childhood sexual abuse survivors to wait to seek legal guidance later in life. Survivors, like Greg and other individuals who’ve made sexual abuse allegations against Lawrence Ventline, often carry the emotional weight of their trauma for years before feeling ready to come forward.
The use of fear tactics by individuals in authoritative positions plays a significant role in silencing children and youth, but it is never too late to find your voice.
You can contact our clergy sex abuse
lawyers today and rest easier with
experienced attorneys tackling your case.
Support for Survivors of Clergy Abuse at the Diocese of Detroit
The passing of time does not erase the impact of sexual abuse. Because these damages often persist, addressing sexual abuse allegations at the Diocese and other religious and secular organizations remains at the forefront of our mission.
While some laws still place limitations on how long a sexual abuse survivor has to take action, there are still reasons to come forward, share your personal experience, and seek the help of a sexual abuse lawyer in Michigan.
Tragically, too many of our clients suffer tremendous personal and professional losses before reaching out. Our firm takes pride in providing legal support, connecting survivors with mental health services, and aiding survivors in finding a platform to share their experiences.
We will tirelessly advocate for you or a loved one. Calling out the religious institutions and individual churches that safeguard accused clergy who sexually abuse young parishioners is necessary. Our advocacy for Detroit clergy sexual abuse survivors continues to shine a spotlight on the deficiencies in our current laws and available recourse.
We continue to work alongside our clients as laws change to open up the statute of limitations currently in place, presenting available legal options for compensation.
Report an Allegation of Detroit Clergy Sexual Abuse
You have options to report clergy abuse at the Diocese of Detroit and sexual abuse allegations against Father Lawrence Ventline. A clergy abuse lawyer with White Law PLLC can assist with contacting the appropriate authorities and provide guidance with documenting your claim.
The team at White Law PLLC provides experienced legal representation in complex sexual abuse cases. We offer free case consultations to assess your needs and discuss civil laws that may provide avenues of compensation for your damages.
You have the right to reach out to
a clergy sex abuse attorney and
discuss your right to legal action.
