Wyoming Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Clergy members hold a position that comes with nearly unquestioned trust.  Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly evident that many in this position are using that trust to exploit and abuse our communities and children. At White Law PLLC, our team, along with our Wyoming sexual abuse lawyer, has dedicated decades to supporting survivors of sexual abuse and holding accountable the organizations that allow it. 

The choice to pursue legal action against your abuser is one of high consequence. Our Wyoming clergy abuse lawyer will treat your case with the respect and sensitivity it deserves. We have recovered millions of dollars in various class and mass action lawsuits, including those involving clergy sexual abuse. 

The Relationship Between Civil and Criminal Sexual Abuse Cases

When someone chooses to pursue legal action against a clergy member or religious organization, they can do it through criminal proceedings, civil lawsuits, or both. While both routes have the goal of accountability to a certain degree, the focus of the outcomes varies. The first primary difference is initiation because while a civil case can begin at your request, the prosecutor must initiate a criminal case. 

When you choose to pursue a civil case against the perpetrator, you can maintain a degree of control over what happens in the case. When you work with a White Law PLLC Wyoming personal injury lawyer, we can follow your lead and work toward your desired end goal, regardless of what the prosecutors are working for. Our dedication to providing trauma-informed services ensures we prioritize your needs and keep you in the driver’s seat. 

In a criminal case, the district attorney controls how the case proceeds. You may choose not to engage with the investigation, but it will happen at the prosecutor’s discretion. A benefit of a criminal case is that a conviction can often provide support for wrongdoing and negligence from the abuser. 

Wyoming Clergy Sexual Abuse 

The term ‘clergy’ generally refers to an individual who is in some kind of leadership role in a religious institution. Many of the largely publicized cases of clergy sexual abuse are surrounding instances of abuse from the Catholic Church. The Bishop Accountability Database shows that in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, their list of accused includes two convicted clergy members and two lawsuit settlements, with one lawsuit that has yet to be settled.

The Michigan Attorney General has taken the allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated or covered up by the Catholic Church seriously. She has launched a complete clergy abuse investigation that includes the Grand Rapid Diocese serving Wyoming, MI. In the investigation report, they identified 105 accused members and over 200 survivors. 

The investigation and recent publicity of the Catholic Church have led its leadership to make changes in how they address claims of sexual abuse. The church has launched a global campaign for ending clergy abuse, which is a start. Our firm would caution survivors of relying on internal reporting methods and encourage you to report clergy sex abuse in Michigan straight to the police whether you live in Wyoming or other parts of Michigan. 

Components of Sexual Abuse

Many think that the definition of sexual abuse is confined to penetrative rape. However, Michigan law has a much more inclusive definition of what they consider sex crimes, particularly for minors. Some of the behaviors that would constitute sexual abuse include:

• Fondling or touching without consent and with the purpose of sexual gratification
• Touching intimate areas without consent
• Exposure to pornography
• Coercive engagement in sexual acts 

This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but it may provide a more general understanding of situations that may make you eligible to take legal action. Any kind of coercive sexual act is not one born of consent, meaning you may retain your legal right to take action. Additionally, minors are unable to consent to sexual contact, making almost any action one of sexual violence or abuse. 

Long-Term Effects of Clergy Sexual Abuse

Experiencing sexual violence at the hands of anyone, especially a trusted member of the community, leaves lasting scars. Sexual abuse is an attack on someone’s physical and emotional well-being, and the lingering symptoms are evidence of that. Some of the long-term effects of clergy abuse on survivors include:

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Substance abuse 
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Eating Disorders
• STI
• Pain 
• Hypersexuality 

In addition to some of these more apparent indicators, more insidious effects can include mood or relationship instability. Survivors of clergy sexual abuse may have difficulty maintaining romantic or sexual relationships stemming from trust-related issues or anxiety around sexual intimacy. Our clergy abuse lawyer in Wyoming, MI, can work with you to determine challenges in your life that may be attributed to the abuse you endured. 

Compensation Available in a Wyoming Clergy Abuse Case

The effects of clergy sexual abuse can cause significant losses for those who have been victimized by it. Part of the reason we encourage survivors to pursue a civil lawsuit is to recover compensation for some of these. Some of the damages we may seek compensation for include:

• Medical bills
• Therapy bills
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages

Every person copes with their trauma in their own way. Money cannot erase the years you may have suffered, the opportunities you missed, or the relationships you may have lost. However, compensation can go a long way toward supporting your road to recovery and reducing some of your financial burden. 

Call a Clergy Abuse Attorney in Wyoming Today 

Clergy have a sacred duty to serve their community and provide a safe place for their congregation’s most vulnerable members. When someone chooses to violate this duty, it is beyond egregious and affects not only the individual they hurt but sometimes fractures the entire community. White Law PLLC is dedicated to fighting for survivors in their efforts to reclaim their lives. 

If you have experienced sexual abuse at the hands of a clergy member and feel ready to pursue legal action, our clergy abuse attorney in Wyoming, MI, is prepared to support you in this vulnerable time. 

You can contact us online or by phone to schedule a free case consultation to discuss your options. The choice to come forward can be difficult, but know that the only person accountable for the abuse you endured is the one who perpetrated it.