Bridgeport Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Over the past several decades, it has become disturbingly clear just how widespread sexual abuse has been and continues to be in various religious organizations. This is, in large part, due to the negligent and, in some cases, intentional failure by religious leaders to protect vulnerable people in their care. If you or a loved one were sexually abused by a clergy member, you unfortunately know all too well just how long the physical and psychological scars from this kind of experience can persist long after the abuse itself ends.

Regardless of whether you want to or can press criminal charges against your abuser, you very likely have grounds to file civil suit against them and the people who enabled them with a sexual abuse attorney’s help. If you have questions about your legal options or want to get the process started, contacting a Bridgeport clergy sexual abuse lawyer should be a top priority.

Holding All Liable Parties Accountable for Clergy Member Abuse

The primary person at fault for sexual abuse inside a religious organization is always the person or people who directly participated in the abuse. An individual priest, rabbi, or other type of clergy member can certainly be named as the defendant in a sexual abuse lawsuit. That said, it can also often be important to hold people liable at the institutional level, especially if there were things that religious leaders could have done to stop or prevent abuse from happening in the first place.

For example, even if a religious leader did not have direct knowledge of abuse occurring within their organization, they may still be legally liable for their failures to:

• Closely supervise clergy members when they were around children
• Provide safe means for people to report sexual abuse
• Address allegations of abuse promptly and with appropriate involvement from law enforcement

A Bridgeport clergy sexual abuse attorney can work to ensure that the right parties are held accountable for their action (or inaction).

Important Evidence for Clergy Sexual Abuse Claims

Unlike criminal cases, in which prosecutors must establish guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt” in order to obtain a conviction, plaintiffs pursuing sexual abuse lawsuits only have to prove culpability based on a “preponderance of the evidence” in order to establish civil liability for damages. That said, it can still be crucial to have as much evidence as possible in support of a claim like this, including things like:

• Comprehensive medical records detailing the physical effects of abuse and treatment received for them
• Testimony from witnesses to abuse or people who were abused by the defendant(s)
• Input from subject matter experts, such as child psychologists
• Documentary evidence establishing that the plaintiff was together with the defendant at particular times and in particular places, especially if it indicates that superiors within the religious organization knew about the defendant’s actions but failed to properly address them

A lawyer’s support can be key to finding, preserving, and making effective use of all relevant information during a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit in Bridgeport.

Consider Working with a Bridgeport Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorney

There have been numerous successful lawsuits against individual clergy members and against massive institutions like the Catholic Church over injuries and losses caused by childhood sexual abuse. If you or a loved one underwent abuse at a religious institution, you deserve compensation for every one of your physical, emotional, and financial losses.

A Bridgeport clergy sexual abuse lawyer can be a steadfast ally from start to finish of your legal proceedings. Call today to discuss your options and potentially get started on your claim.