Waverly Clergy Sex Abuse Lawyer

Clergy sex abuse is a serious crime that can have devastating and long-lasting effects on victims and their families. If you or a loved one is a survivor of clergy sex abuse in Waverly, it is important to seek help from a law firm that has experience with these types of cases. 

White Law PLLC has helped many people to stand up against the church. Our Waverly clergy sex abuse attorneys help survivors speak out and recover compensation for their trauma. 

We are here to help people reclaim their lives through the pursuit of justice, and we may be able to help you.

How Can a Clergy Sex Abuse Lawyer Help Me?

A lawyer can be instrumental in helping a victim of clergy sex abuse obtain justice and healing. They provide several critical services, including:

Legal Advice

A lawyer can guide the victim through the complexities of the legal system, informing them of their rights and helping them understand the various options available. This may include filing a criminal complaint, pursuing a civil lawsuit, or seeking compensation through a church-sponsored program.

Investigation

A skilled lawyer can gather and analyze evidence to build a strong case on behalf of the victim. This can involve interviewing witnesses, collecting documentation, and consulting with experts to establish a pattern of abuse and negligence on the part of the clergy member and the church.

Representation

In court, a clergy sexual abuse lawyer in Waverly, MI, advocates for the victim, presenting their case in a compelling manner to persuade the judge or jury of the truth. They can also negotiate settlements on behalf of the victim, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their suffering and losses.

Support

Navigating the legal process can be emotionally taxing for victims of clergy sex abuse. A compassionate lawyer can provide support and encouragement during this difficult journey. We are sensitive to your needs and can take steps to limit your contact with the abuser.

Holding Institutions Accountable

By pursuing legal action against both the perpetrator and the church, a lawyer can help to expose institutional failures and prevent future cases of clergy sex abuse. This benefits the individual victim and contributes to the broader effort to safeguard vulnerable individuals within religious communities.

How Can a Survivor of Clergy Sex Abuse Evaluate the Amount of Damages They Can Receive?

A skilled attorney can help a victim determine the amount of compensation they may receive. We can explain the legal process and the variables that may affect the victim’s compensation award. 

Some of these elements include the degree of abuse, the cost of treatment and related expenses, and the emotional toll of the ordeal. Your lawyer can also advise you on how to increase the amount of compensation.

Your clergy sexual abuse attorney in Waverly, MI, will look at medical records, witness statements, previous case results, and other factors to evaluate the potential value of your claim. We can also explain the steps of the legal process and the variables that may affect the victim’s potential financial recovery.

How Long do I Have to Bring a Sexual Abuse Claim Against a Michigan Priest?

The statute of limitations for a clergy sex abuse claim in Michigan is outlined in Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5851b. In general, victims of clergy sexual assault in Michigan have until they become 28 to file a claim for damages, or they have three years from when they realize their injuries are related to the abuse.

Although it may have been more than three years after the abuse occurred, or you may be older than 28, we may still be able to help you. Many survivors of childhood abuse believe that it is too late to seek justice since the events happened too long ago.

These laws are complex and subject to change, so it’s important to speak with one of our Waverly clergy sexual abuse lawyers.

Many Religions Have Problems With Sexual Abuse by Clergy

The problem of sexual assault is not exclusive to the Roman Catholic Church. Clergy sexual assault allegations have been filed against several different churches and religious organizations.

• A report from the year 2020 claims that the Anglican Church frequently disregarded the suffering of child sex abuse victims and even made matters worse.
• Insurers for the Protestant church handle about 260 clergy sex abuse claims per year. 
• The Brooklyn Haredi Jewish community has been called out for neglecting to report abuse inside its ranks in multiple previous instances.
• Evangelical and Southern Baptist churches have faced several charges of clergy sexual abuse.
• Lutherans have been accused of child pornography, sexual abuse, and rape; in one case, the Lutheran church paid $69 million to nine victims of sexual abuse by members of their clergy.
• Similarly, officials of the Mormon Church have been accused of abuse and linked to a cover-up of sexual assault inside the Boy Scouts of America. Settlements totaling $1 billion were reached. The lead clergy sex abuse attorney of our firm represented hundreds of victims in this circumstance.

Each time, the accountable institution has either flat-out rejected or actively sought to cover up the violation. Offenders are rarely disciplined within the church because of lax sexual abuse policies or procedures.

Our Waverly church sexual assault case attorneys know how complicated these cases can be. To ensure that proper action is taken and restitution is given, we will seek to cut through muddled and self-serving church investigations.

Contact a Clergy Sex Abuse Law Firm Today to Find Out More

Most churches condemn abuse by their clergy members, yet many cases of sexual assault within the church are ignored and never addressed. After being hurt by those entrusted to keep you safe, you deserve the chance to be made whole again.

If you or someone you know has been abused, White Law PLLC will help you file a lawsuit against the perpetrator and the church for neglecting to prevent or disclose the abuse.

We understand how delicate and difficult it is to discuss. Please be assured that attorney-client privilege ensures that any information you provide to our child abuse attorneys will be kept strictly confidential. Contact us today to learn more.