Hyattsville, MD Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Aggressive Attorney Helping Victims of Sexual Abuse by Priests, Pastors, or Church Officials in Hyattsville, Maryland

While many people benefit from being involved in churches or other religious organizations, there are some situations where they may be at risk of abuse. Clergy members, church counselors, and other officials are seen as moral authorities, and they often serve as trusted mentors. However, that trust can be violated, and there are far too many examples of cases in which someone in a position of religious leadership has engaged in sexual abuse.

Abusive acts can not only cause immense harm to victims, but they can affect entire communities. Victims of abuse will need to address the ways they have been affected, and they may also want to make sure something is done to prevent others from experiencing the same forms of abuse. At Kisner Law, we work with survivors of clergy sexual abuse to help secure justice and ensure that the people responsible for abuse are held accountable. Attorney Kisner provides compassionate representation for victims while taking aggressive action to hold abusers and organizations responsible for the harm that has been done.

How Members of the Clergy May Commit Abuse

Sexual abuse by clergy and church officials often involves calculated manipulation and exploitation of the trust that people place in them. Victims may be children, teens, or vulnerable adults who turn to their spiritual leaders for guidance, support, or religious instruction. Common issues involved in clergy sexual abuse include:

  • Grooming and Manipulation: Clergy may develop close relationships with their victims, slowly crossing boundaries until they can commit acts of sexual abuse.
  • Exploitation of Trust and Authority: Victims may feel powerless to refuse someone whom they believe has divine authority. They may also be hesitant to report the abuse due to the abuser's level of influence in their religious community.
  • Use of Religious Justification: Abusers will often misinterpret or manipulate religious teachings to coerce victims into compliance.
  • Abuse During Counseling or Confession: Abuse often occurs in private, confidential settings in which people come to priests or pastors for spiritual or emotional guidance.
  • Isolation From Others: Abusers may discourage victims from confiding in others, and they may create emotional dependency to coerce the victim into keeping secrets.

Victims of clergy sexual abuse will often feel confused and ashamed, and they may be fearful of coming forward. When a church or religious institution fails to respond appropriately to reports of misconduct or actively conceals acts of abuse, a victim can suffer additional trauma, and an abuser may feel empowered to commit additional acts of sexual abuse.

When Can Churches or Religious Institutions Be Held Liable for Sexual Abuse?

Religious organizations may be legally liable for the misconduct of their clergy members, pastors, or staff members when:

  • They failed to screen leaders before placing them in positions of authority.
  • They ignored or covered up complaints or allegations of misconduct.
  • They failed to supervise clergy members who had unrestricted access to vulnerable members of a congregation.
  • They moved known abusers to new parishes or ministries without disclosing previous allegations or misconduct.
  • They discouraged victims or families from reporting sexual abuse to the authorities.
  • They maintained policies or cultures that allowed abuse to continue.

How Clergy Sexual Abuse Can Affect Victims

Survivors of sexual abuse by pastors, priests, or other church officials may experience long-lasting trauma. Because the abuse was directly linked to spiritual guidance and moral authority, the emotional and psychological damage can be especially severe. Survivors may experience a loss of faith, and they may have difficulty trusting spiritual leaders in the future. They may fear that they will face rejection from religious communities or retaliation from people who support their abuser.

All of these issues can lead to significant emotional trauma. Victims may experience issues such as anxiety or depression, and they may turn to substance abuse or self-harm. The effects can be long-lasting, impacting nearly every area of a person's life and creating difficulty as they try to form relationships with others, maintain employment, and take care of their physical and mental health.

Contact Our Hyattsville, MD Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorney

At Kisner Law, we work to ensure that survivors of clergy sexual abuse can address the harm they have suffered. We help them take steps to secure financial compensation that will address their physical and emotional injuries and provide them with the resources they need to succeed in the future. We also strive to prevent future abuse by exposing the failures of religious organizations and making sure they are held responsible for their failure to protect victims against abuse.

For legal help as a victim of sexual abuse, contact us at 240-459-0097 and arrange a free consultation. We are ready to help you take the first steps toward healing.

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