Ohio Clergy Sex Abuse Lawyer

Catholic churches and other religious institutions are meant to be safe communities, protected spaces to worship and grow in spirituality, and sources of peace and comfort. These organizations lose all their meaning when clergy members sexually prey on unsuspecting children, teenagers, and adults.

Troubling patterns in churches began surfacing in the early 2000s, and more than 6,000 Catholic clergy members have been accused of sexual abuse. More clergy abuse scandals have come to light since then. In the past and present, churches have covered up the abuse instead of fixing the problem.

The impact of clergy abuse is far-reaching, often affecting both the survivor and their families. People can experience spiritual devastation or confusion after abuse is perpetrated by someone who represents God, and their trust and faith are often broken. Beyond that, there are many other physical and mental consequences.

Constant Legal Group is a trusted and empathetic resource for clergy sex abuse cases. An Ohio clergy sex abuse lawyer can help you take careful steps to file a lawsuit and hold you or a loved one’s abuser accountable so you can finally heal.

What Is Clergy Abuse?

Churches, private schools, and other faith-based businesses are the last places you would think to look for something as disgraceful as sex abuse, or any abuse for that matter. It is a living and breathing problem among religious institutions, as lay teachers, priests, nuns, and other clergy members often use their influence to assault children and adults.

Clergy predators prey on people and take advantage of their trust, often within the four walls of a church or another religious organization. Clergy abuse can include sexualized conversations, unwanted touching, inappropriate counseling sessions, or soliciting or sending sexual images or texts.

Clergy sex offenders must be stopped: Sexual abuse causes lifelong psychological and emotional damages that can be difficult to recover from.

Clergy Abuse Statistics

There is an alarming number of clergy abuse cases, and it is concerning how religious organizations hide abuse and fail to protect others from getting hurt.

The following statistics put this into focus:

• Nearly 1,700 priests and other clergy members from the Roman Catholic Church accused of child sex abuse currently live under the radar without law enforcement supervision.
• Three faith-based insurance companies reported 7,095 insurance claims of sexual abuse by church employees, congregation members, and other clerical members. As part of this, over 390 Protestant clergy members were accused of abusing more than 700 children and adults from 1999 to 2019.
• Abuse in Jewish Orthodox communities is on the rise. About 96 cases in Brooklyn have been prosecuted since 2009. Due to a culture of shunning and silence, the number is likely much higher.
• Reports shared by PBS show that 451 clergy members allegedly assaulted more than 2,000 children from 1950 to 2019.
• Sexual abuse cases are rising in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). FLOODLIT shows more than 450 accused Mormon leaders in their database. The site estimates the church has paid more than $19,867,000 in settlements. Officials are accused of silencing survivors, not reporting abuse, and directing the church’s abuse hotline to the church’s attorney.

The Reality of Clergy Abuse

Over the last decade, the reality surrounding clergy sexual abuse within the Catholic Church and other religious institutions has slowly surfaced. The sexual abuse of children by clergy members was a frequent and pervasive problem that was never truly addressed or dealt with.

Even as more cases came to light, the Catholic Church ignored the problem and failed to stop it, even going as far as covering up these evil perpetrators and keeping them in positions of power.

Thankfully, this has recently begun to change as more people have come forward, and the increased public attention and awareness have led to amendments to several states’ laws. An extended statute of limitations gives abuse survivors more time to take legal action against their abusers and the institutions that enabled them.

Are Clergy Members Mandated Reporters in Ohio?

Ohio clergy members have limited confidentiality privileges. They do not have to report alleged sexual abuse to police or child welfare workers.

This is called the “clergy loophole,” making the abuse easier to continue. Currently, 33 states have this gap, making it easier for religious officials to get away with assault.

Senate Bill 16: Protecting Our Children

In Ohio, Senate Bill 16 ensures that youth-based businesses, like schools, daycares, and similar organizations, are prohibited from hiring certain offenders. It is an amended legislation that came to fruition more than 20 years ago to protect children from being exposed to sex offenders.

On April 4, 2023, the Bill was revised to ensure Tier II and Tier III offenders cannot work or volunteer around children.

Amendments were made to the Bill this year as a previous loophole allowed non-paroled sex offenders to have contact with children. Individual employers can face penalties if they know (or should have known) a registered offender is working or has worked for them in the past. Businesses can be held liable for negligent hiring or retention, leading to legal issues, fines, and financial penalties.

Ohio Priests Accused of Abuse

Many organizations refuse to create official lists of sexual abusers and make it public knowledge, and the closed-off religious world is no exception. ProPublica, a newsroom that investigates abuses of power, publishes an interactive database of credibly accused clergy members in reports released by Catholic dioceses and religious orders.

Similarly, a grand jury report shared names of Ohio clergy members accused of misconduct, including more than 300 priests in 2019, while dioceses in Arkansas and San Diego released their lists shortly after.

Adapted from ProPublica, a snapshot of Ohio priests accused of abuse includes:

• Cleveland: 51 names released, some of which have been removed or dispensed from Clerical State.
• Columbus: 49 names released, many of which were removed from, or left the ministry, or incardinated.
• Toledo: 24 names were released. Many were placed on administrative leave, permanently dismissed, or removed.
• Cincinnati: 33 names released, many of which passed away or were laicized.
• Youngstown: 39 names were released, and many statuses were not released; clergy members passed away or were permanently removed.
• Steubenville: 17 names released, and some statuses include suspension or dismissal.

It should be noted ProPublica has not updated their data since 2020.

Clergy Abuse Lawsuit

Clergy abuse survivors have options, including a civil lawsuit. Civil cases involve private disputes between a person, organization, or both.

Civil lawsuits can hold abusers financially responsible for the harm they inflict on others. Those deemed liable (which typically includes the religious organization that employed the abuser) usually pay the survivor directly. On the other hand, in a criminal lawsuit, the punishment is imprisonment, fines, or community supervision.

Constant Legal Group can help you file a civil lawsuit and recover compensation for the pain and suffering caused by an abuser. Holding a predator responsible for their actions can bring justice and healing to multiple people simultaneously. Any recovered compensation can help with medical and living expenses, therapy, and many other needs.

Available Compensation for Sexual Abuse Survivors

Clergy assault and abuse survivors often take legal action against their abusers as they want justice. Clergy abuse can include physical, emotional, psychological, and social harm.

For example, physical harm can include broken bones, bruises, cuts, scars, STIs, unwanted pregnancies, and other personal injuries. Survivors might experience social issues, like shunning from their community members, isolation, or difficulty maintaining intimate or personal relationships.

Compensation is part of civil proceedings as the court believes money can help make the plaintiff “whole again” and help survivors financially support their needs.

The court might award compensation for one or more of the following:

• Pain and suffering or mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These are considered non-economic damages.
• Therapy and mental health costs for ongoing therapy and mental health treatment.
• Lost wages and benefits if people struggle to work or support themselves or their families because of the abuse.
• Decreased earning ability or funds to compensate for a career change or a cut in pay if a survivor cannot return to their former position.
• Punitive damages are additional damages rewarded in the case of extreme or gross negligence.
• Damaged personal relationships, such as loss of companionship or intimacy, are another consideration for the court, as abuse can impact a person’s quality of life.

It is important to choose a tough and meticulous sex abuse law firm with a history of successful case results to fight for you.

Types of Ohio Sexual Abuses Cases

There are many different types of sexual abuse. Offenders are categorized by tiers, depending on the seriousness of the assault or abuse. Tier I offenders engage in sexual imposition and child enticement with sexual motivation.

In contrast, Tier II offenders commit crimes like child endangering, kidnapping with sexual motivation, and illegal use of nude images. The most serious sex crime offenders fall into the Tier III category. Tier III offenders are responsible for acts like sexual battery, rape, murder, and aggravated murder.

Types of Ohio sexual abuse cases include:

• Rape: Rape is considered forced and physical sexual intercourse and other forms of penetration.
• Date rape: This type of rape is forced sexual intercourse that occurs on a date.
• Sexual assault: Attempted rape, fondling, or unwanted sexual touching are sexual assault, including forcing someone to perform sexual acts.
• Child sexual abuse: An adult who intentionally harms a minor physically, sexually, or psychologically using neglect is committing child sex abuse.

Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse Cases in Ohio

Dates matter when filing a civil lawsuit in sexual abuse cases. Every state has a statute of limitations, which is a specific window of time you can file.

Adults have two years to the date of the sexual assault to file a civil lawsuit. The Special Statute of Limitations for Childhood Sexual Abuse allows childhood sexual abuse survivors the ability to file a civil lawsuit 12 years after reaching the age of majority (18 years old). According to the same statute (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.111(C)), mentally impaired adults between 18 and 22 years old, may have extra time to file a civil suit.

Do You Have a Clergy Abuse Lawsuit?

Spiritual sex predators may use religious beliefs as an excuse to prey on trusting church members, students, and other people. Religious shame is often a way to get people to hide and comply with the abuse.

Clergy sex abuse can include a spectrum of behaviors, like unwanted touching, rape, or assault. You might consider filing a clergy abuse lawsuit if your boundaries have been violated.

You can connect with people outside of your religious circles or faith-based community to see if your experiences are legitimate, and you can also tap into a knowledgeable sex abuse firm like Constant Legal Group to assess the facts.

Can I file a lawsuit against the place where the abuse happened?

People and places “carry” liability, so abusers and the institutions that support the abuse can be held legally accountable. For instance, civil proceedings can be brought against a priest, a church, a religion teacher, and a school.

Clergy Abuse Settlements

Justice is possible, and some of these clergy abuse settlements are proof.

• $19,200,000 Settlement: In 2016, nearly 400 claims were brought against the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese. About 297 were deemed eligible, and 224 claimants reached settlement agreements averaging almost $90,000 per plaintiff.
• $1,000,000 Settlement: In 2020, a single plaintiff brought claims against a Catholic priest who alleged he was sexually abused by the priest six times while attending a Catholic high school.
• $4,500,000 Verdict: A few years ago, a United Methodist Church elder was accused of sexually abusing a woman while she was attending counseling sessions with him. After filing a negligent supervision claim against the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, a jury awarded her $4,500,000.
• $34,960,000 Verdict: A Jehovah’s Witness congregation member allegedly sexually abused several people over 13 years of age. Two of them drew attention to the way the church handled the issue poorly and how the abuser continued to harm other people.
• $800,000 Verdict: A former youth pastor was accused of molesting a 13-year-old child, forcing him into sexual acts. Despite the church denying fault, the jury awarded the survivor $800,000.
• $9,100,000 Settlement: Eight women sued a Catholic priest for sexual abuse that happened 40 years ago when the women were minors. Unfortunately, the priest was transferred to a new location where he found two new targets.

There are opportunities to seek restitution, and Constant Legal Group can help you fight for justice.

FAQ: Filing a Clergy Lawsuit

Will sexual abuse survivors have to testify if they are a child?

Technically, children as young as three or four can testify. However, this is unusual as children that young are not usually considered to have the required competency.

Children over 10 are typically allowed to testify. The court will want to make sure children can differentiate the truth from lies, comprehend the importance of telling the truth, and understand the consequences of lying.

Will the survivor’s identity be kept confidential?

Anonymity is often a concern in sexual abuse cases, so survivors are often referred to as Jane Doe or John Doe. In 2019, however, the Ohio Supreme Court limited the ability to use these “unidentified placeholders.” Actual names must be known before the two-year statute of limitation expires in civil cases.

Will my case settle or go to trial?

Sexual abuse cases can be unpredictable, so it is wise to prepare and hire a sex abuse attorney with a trial background, knowing that a case could go either way. Assault cases are involved from the start and rely heavily on evidence — not just a survivor’s word.

An experienced Ohio clergy sex abuse lawyer should determine the strengths and weaknesses of the defendant’s case, uncover compelling evidence, and prepare witnesses and experts to provide the right testimony. Once a case gets to trial, the stakes are higher. People typically need strong legal representation to increase their chances of winning.

How much do lawyers for sexual abuse survivors charge?

Many sexual abuse lawyers do not charge an upfront fee or request payment to take on a sexual abuse case. Constant Legal Group is among these lawyers. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients only pay if we settle or obtain a verdict. In other words, you only pay a dime if we win.

How do I find the best sexual abuse lawyers near me?

Sexual abuse cases can take weeks, months, or even years to settle, so it is critical to find an experienced and highly-rated sex abuse lawyer you know will have the proper knowledge and experience to make a difference.

Sex abuse cases are involved from the start, so you will likely spend much time with your attorney. Carefully look at local clergy abuse lawyers. Their online reviews and proven success stories can offer insight into how the firm would handle your case.

Many firms — Constant Legal Group is one of them — offer free legal consultations. You can learn a lot about a firm’s approach in a confidential conversation.

An Ohio Clergy, Sex Abuse Lawyer Can Help Bring You Justice

Many churches and religious institutions have failed children, adults, and families with their widespread sexual abuse scandals. It is time for their repeated mistakes, coverups, and lack of remorse to end. We are here to take a stand with you.

Constant Legal Group advocates for child sex abuse survivors and their parents, adult survivors of abuse or assault, and adult survivors who were sexually abused as minors. We know you are likely struggling with trauma, medical bills, therapy costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by the abuse. Filing a civil lawsuit can help secure financial compensation for your losses and ensure you get proper medical care to help with recovery and healing. Most importantly, it can help you see that justice is finally served.

Acting quickly can help legal experts help you. Once your case gets started, lawyers can advise you on your rights and work on seeking justice before the statute of limitations ends. We can offer valuable legal guidance and help with filing deadlines and possible strategies to get the best outcome for you.

Connect with an experienced clergy abuse lawyer today to discuss your case — our consultations are free and confidential.