Washington DC Clergy Molestation Lawyers

At Cohen & Cohen, we represent survivors of clergy molestation who are seeking justice after suffering harm in settings where trust should have been absolute. We understand that coming forward is deeply personal and often tied to years of silence, fear, or emotional pain. Our legal team provides a supportive, confidential environment to help individuals take legal action and hold religious institutions accountable for their role in the abuse and any cover-up that followed.

Clergy Molestation Lawyer Washington DC

Clergy molestation refers to sexual abuse or exploitation by a member of the clergy or religious leadership. This abuse can occur in churches, schools, retreats, or other faith-based institutions. Many survivors were minors when the abuse occurred and may have been led to believe it was their fault—or that no one would believe them if they spoke out.

These cases often involve:

• Repeated abuse by a trusted authority figure
• Efforts by institutions to silence victims or avoid public exposure
• Transfers of clergy instead of removal or discipline

Survivors face more than physical or emotional trauma—they are often burdened by guilt, shame, or spiritual confusion that may last well into adulthood. Some develop anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, or difficulty maintaining trust in any relationship.

What many survivors want is accountability. They want their experience acknowledged, the wrongdoer held responsible, and changes made so that others are not harmed. Civil legal action allows survivors to pursue financial compensation and expose patterns of institutional failure. In some cases, it also prompts real reform inside religious organizations.

Our Washington DC clergy molestation lawyer can help by reviewing the facts, identifying any applicable legal deadlines, and filing claims against both the abuser and the organization that enabled the misconduct. Even in cases where the abuse happened years ago, new laws in many states have extended or removed statutes of limitations for sexual abuse survivors, giving them a renewed opportunity to be heard.

A Firm Focused on Protecting Survivors’ Rights

At Cohen & Cohen, we’ve worked with individuals and families facing difficult, emotional legal cases. We take the time to listen without judgment and help each client decide what outcome they’re seeking. Whether that’s privacy, public accountability, or compensation to cover counseling and related costs, we shape our approach around their needs.

We have experience investigating institutional wrongdoing and building cases that rely not only on the victim’s account but also on documentation, internal records, and witnesses. Religious institutions may resist releasing information, but our team works to uncover patterns of abuse and concealment that often support the survivor’s claim.

We also understand how sensitive these matters are. Confidentiality, compassion, and clear communication are central to how we support our clients at every step of the process.

Speak With Someone Who Can Help

If you or someone you love has suffered abuse by a member of the clergy, you have the right to seek justice. A Washington DC clergy molestation lawyer at Cohen & Cohen can provide a confidential consultation and help you understand your legal options. Contact us today—we’re here to support you.

Types of Clergy Molestation Cases We Handle

Sexual abuse committed by clergy members is a violation of trust that can affect a survivor for the rest of their life. At Cohen & Cohen, we represent individuals who have been harmed by religious leaders, institutions, or those placed in positions of power within churches, schools, and other faith-based organizations. These cases often involve years of silence, shame, or fear—but survivors deserve justice and accountability. Our team works with clients to uncover the truth and pursue the compensation and change they are entitled to.

Abuse of Minors in Religious Institutions

The most common type of case we handle involves the abuse of children by clergy members. These incidents often happen during church events, in religious schools, youth groups, or while the child is under the care or supervision of religious staff. The abuser may use their authority or perceived moral standing to manipulate the child, isolate them from support, and avoid suspicion.

In many of these cases, survivors were told not to speak up or were ignored when they did. Some were even blamed or dismissed by the very leaders they trusted. We take these situations seriously and work to uncover both individual abuse and institutional cover-ups that allowed it to continue.

Sexual Misconduct During Counseling or Spiritual Guidance

Clergy members often serve in roles that go beyond preaching or ceremony—they may also act as counselors, spiritual advisors, or mentors. In these private, vulnerable settings, some clergy take advantage of their position to engage in inappropriate conduct with adults or teens seeking support.

These cases may involve:

• Sexual contact disguised as spiritual practice or emotional connection
• Manipulation of someone going through grief, divorce, or personal crisis
• Pressure to keep the relationship secret, often framed as “consensual”

Even when the victim is an adult, abuse of power is never acceptable. We help clients demonstrate how emotional coercion, influence, and religious authority were used to commit abuse under the guise of care.

Institutional Cover-Ups and Transfer of Offenders

One of the most disturbing aspects of clergy abuse cases is how often religious institutions are aware of allegations and choose to protect the abuser rather than the victim. We’ve handled cases where known offenders were simply moved to another location, allowed to continue working with youth, or quietly retired without public accountability.

In these cases, we investigate:

• Internal reports and records of prior complaints
• Whether leaders failed to report to law enforcement
• Communication that shows efforts to silence or discredit survivors

When churches or religious organizations take steps to cover up abuse, they become part of the harm. Our legal team works to expose these efforts and hold institutions legally and financially responsible.

Abuse by Lay Workers and Volunteers in Religious Settings

Abuse doesn’t always come from ordained clergy. We’ve also represented clients who were harmed by laypeople working in religious schools, Sunday school programs, or other ministries under church leadership. In these cases, the religious organization may still be liable for failing to supervise, train, or remove someone after red flags were raised.

We look at whether the organization ignored complaints, skipped background checks, or placed individuals in positions where abuse could occur.

Talk With a Legal Team That Understands the Weight of These Cases

If you’re ready to speak up about abuse tied to a religious institution, you don’t have to do it alone. A Washington DC clergy molestation lawyer at Cohen & Cohen can help you take the next step with compassion and confidentiality. Contact us today for a free, private consultation.

6 Steps Our Lawyer May Suggest After Abuse

When someone experiences abuse by a trusted religious leader, it can feel isolating and overwhelming. The fear, betrayal, and confusion that follow can make it hard to know what to do next. At Cohen & Cohen, we have worked with survivors of clergy abuse and understand how difficult those first steps can be. Taking action—at your own pace—can help you protect your rights and begin the process of healing.

Find a Safe and Supportive Environment

Your first priority should be physical and emotional safety. This might mean removing yourself from the religious institution or avoiding direct contact with the person responsible. It’s also important to have people around you who believe you and support your well-being.

Some people choose to speak with:

• A trusted family member or friend
• A therapist with experience in trauma recovery
• A support group for abuse survivors

Being in a safe space where you feel heard can give you the clarity and strength to move forward.

Seek Medical and Mental Health Care

Even if there are no immediate physical injuries, it’s important to receive medical attention. A health provider can address your physical needs, provide documentation, and refer you to other resources. Emotional trauma is also a key part of recovery, and counseling can play a major role in rebuilding confidence and peace of mind.

Keep track of:

• Medical evaluations or treatments
• Therapy sessions and mental health diagnoses
• Recommendations for ongoing care

This documentation is often useful later in both legal and personal recovery efforts.

Preserve Any Communication or Evidence

If you have messages, letters, emails, or photos related to the abuse, save them in a secure location. These can serve as important pieces of evidence if you choose to pursue legal action. If anything was said in front of others or if anyone witnessed behavior that concerned you, try to note that information as well.

Important items might include:

• Text messages or emails from the abuser
• Written accounts of the incidents or timeline
• Names and contact information for potential witnesses

Having these details available later can strengthen a case and help others understand the full context of what occurred.

Report the Abuse to Law Enforcement

You have the right to report what happened to local police or child protection services if the abuse involved a minor. Law enforcement can open an investigation and begin the process of holding the abuser criminally accountable. Reporting also creates an official record, which can be important even if charges are not filed right away.

Some survivors choose to make a report immediately, while others do so later. There is no one right timeline—what matters is that the choice is yours.

Avoid Direct Contact With the Accused or the Institution

It can be tempting to confront the abuser or reach out to the church for answers. But doing so may lead to further emotional distress or pressure to stay silent. If you’ve received communication asking you not to go public or suggesting a “private resolution,” take caution.

Instead, consult with someone who can help you assess your options without pressure or risk. That includes legal support from someone experienced in handling institutional abuse claims.

Washington Clergy Molestation Infographic

Washington DC Clergy Molestation FAQ

Clergy abuse is one of the most painful betrayals a person can experience. What should be a place of trust, guidance, and safety instead becomes a source of trauma. Survivors of clergy molestation often carry the impact of the abuse for years, sometimes decades, before they are ready to speak out. Legal action can’t erase the past, but it can give survivors a path forward and a chance to hold individuals and institutions accountable. If you or someone you care about has experienced abuse by a member of the clergy, knowing your rights is an important step.

Who can be held responsible in clergy abuse cases?

Legal responsibility can extend beyond the individual clergy member who committed the abuse. Religious institutions, such as churches, dioceses, or other organizations, may also be held accountable if they failed to protect victims or ignored warning signs. In many cases, institutions knew about prior misconduct but chose to reassign the accused rather than take real action. Liability may include church leadership, administrators, and anyone else who contributed to creating an unsafe environment. These cases often involve a review of internal records, past complaints, and how the organization handled—or failed to handle—those concerns.

What actions are considered clergy molestation?

Clergy molestation includes any inappropriate sexual behavior or contact between a clergy member and a minor or vulnerable person. This may involve physical acts, verbal abuse, coercion, or any unwanted advances, especially those tied to a power imbalance. Emotional manipulation and spiritual influence are often used to silence victims or make them feel complicit. The abuse may occur once or continue over a period of time. All such behavior is a serious violation of both legal and moral standards, and it often goes unreported due to fear, shame, or the influence of the abuser.

Why should survivors consider taking legal action?

Legal action gives survivors an opportunity to seek justice, accountability, and financial compensation for the harm they’ve endured. Many live with emotional and psychological effects for years, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and challenges with trust and relationships. Compensation can help with therapy costs, lost wages, and other long-term needs. Lawsuits can also bring institutional misconduct into public view, potentially preventing future abuse. While the decision to come forward is deeply personal, we believe survivors deserve to be heard and supported throughout the legal process and beyond.

How can legal support assist in clergy abuse cases?

Legal support can help survivors build a case based on records, personal accounts, and institutional history. A law firm can assist with filing claims, meeting legal deadlines, and addressing privacy concerns. At Cohen & Cohen, we handle these cases with discretion, professionalism, and care. Survivors seeking a Washington DC clergy molestation lawyer can turn to us for guidance through the legal process while maintaining their voice and dignity. We understand the sensitive nature of these claims and work to hold individuals and institutions accountable while helping clients find a path toward healing.

Who has the right to file a clergy abuse claim?

Survivors of abuse have the legal right to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit. In some cases, if the survivor is still a minor or has passed away, a parent, guardian, or family representative may file on their behalf. Many jurisdictions have extended the time limit to file claims, recognizing that victims often wait years before coming forward. If the abuse occurred years ago, it may still be possible to pursue legal action. Each case depends on state laws, evidence, and the specifics of the abuse. Early legal advice can help clarify your rights.

Speak With a Legal Advocate Who Will Listen

Survivors of clergy abuse often want to be heard, protected, and supported—not just in court, but throughout the entire process. A Washington DC clergy molestation lawyer at Cohen & Cohen can offer guidance on what legal action may be available and how to move forward in a way that feels safe and respectful. Contact us today for a confidential consultation—we’re here to help you take the next step.