Victims of sexual abuse by a religious leader deserve to have the institution that employed the abuser or in which the abuser volunteered be held accountable in a court of law.
All sexual abuse is abhorrent, but there is something particularly vile about abuse at the hands of a religious leader or within a religious institution. It is sickening that men, women, and organizations who are relied on for spiritual guidance would take advantage of the trust that is placed in them. Unfortunately, it happens far more often than religious institutions would like to admit.
Not Just A Catholic Problem
Sexual abuse by priests in the Catholic church has made headlines around the world, but religious sexual abuse is not just a Catholic problem. Christian, Jewish, Mormon, Orthodox Jewish, Seventh Day Adventists and Jehovah’s Witnesses have all had problems with sexual abuse within their walls.
Sexual predators are drawn to religious institutions because they know there will be vulnerable children in the congregation upon which they can prey. These predators worm their way into positions of power, then begin to groom their victims. This includes Rabbis, Ministers, Priests, and others.
This behavior is reprehensible, and unfortunately, it is widespread. And the organizations in which these abusers are employed or volunteered are afraid and embarrassed to admit that they weren’t properly vetting or supervising their staff and volunteers. They do not want to admit that they knew or should have known something was terribly wrong. Courageous victims are now coming forward and saying enough is enough.
Abuse Can Occur Anywhere
It is important to note that sexual abuse at the hands of a religious leader, or at a religious institution can occur at any time, and in nearly any location.
Abuse that occurs during an after-school program, or at a religious camp is still abuse that the leaders of the organization should have prevented.
You Are Not Alone
One of the most heart-breaking things we hear from our clients is that they thought they were alone. Until they saw a story on the news about others who were abused or something in their mind clicked they thought they were the only ones who went through what they did. They spent years thinking they did something wrong instead of blaming the predator that hurt them, and the organization that failed them.
We are here to say that nobody is alone, and you are not the one at fault. We are here to stand with you. We are here to spread the word that victims are not to blame. Abusers and the organizations that shelter them are the villains in this story.
Whether you were abused recently, or decades ago, it is time to hold those who are responsible accountable — both abusers and the organizations that harbored them. Every victim deserves the opportunity to have their story heard so they can begin to heal.
The Just Compensation You Deserve
Having your story heard, and bringing an abuser to justice is just one part of the healing process. You may need therapy, or realize that the abuse radically altered the course of your life. That is where monetary compensation comes in.
Seeking compensation for the abuse that you endured can help you move on in ways you never anticipated. It can also send a message that sexual abuse will no longer be quietly swept under the rug. Religious organizations need to be held accountable for the sexual abuse of minors at the hands of staff or volunteers,
Paul Mones has over 30 years of experience representing victims of sexual abuse. He has helped many of them seek compensation and expose the hypocrisy at the heart of organizations that are supposed to be dedicated to the greater good.
In 2010, he and his co-counsel won the largest verdict ever — $19.9 million — against the Boy Scouts of America and spearheaded the subsequent release of documents that disclosed just how much the BSA knew about the abusers it supported or employed.
Paul Mones has also represented numerous victims of Catholic clergy abuse throughout the nation. In 2000, he and his co-counsel tried the first sexual abuse case to a jury against the Archdiocese of New York. In 2007, he and his co-counsel obtained an $11.45 million jury verdict against the Diocese of Rockville Centre in New York on behalf of two victims — the largest verdict rendered to date against a Diocese in New York.
Paul Mones and his team are ready to help you.
An Experienced Religious Sexual Abuse Lawyer You Can Trust
Losing the ability to trust because you have suffered abuse at the hands of a religious leader you once respected or admired shakes you to your core. Even years later it can be difficult to connect with others because you can never forget how you were once so viciously betrayed.
Decades of working on behalf of victims of sexual abuse have helped Attorney Paul Mones and his team develop a keen understanding of the emotional and psychological obstacles faced by those who seek to hold their abusers accountable. Attorney Mones and the rest of the team work hard to be the sort of people that you can rely on and gradually learn to trust even if trusting others is hard for you.
Filing a lawsuit is not going to erase your memories of abuse, or the years of pain you have endured. However, if you come forward you may be eligible for just compensation. More importantly, you may be able to regain some of the trust you have lost and prevent others from suffering a similar fate.
When you have the strength to come forward, Paul Mones and his team are ready to help. Please contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.