VA Priest Sexual Abuse Lawyers

Serious injuries deserve experienced attorneys

Priest Sexual Abuse Lawyers VA

At Cohen & Cohen, our Priest Sexual Abuse Lawyers VA residents trust knows just how complicated cases of church sexual abuse can be. These cases are sensitive in nature and often require investigation to uncover key elements of proof. Unfortunately, as we have read in the news media in recent years, church entities have attempted to hide or deflect responsibility for sexual abuse that happens within their doors. We are not afraid to fight against a large religious institution for our client’s behalf.

And while filing a lawsuit may sound intimidating, but we can make the process go smoothly. We know the law and can guide you from start to finish. To learn more about how our law firm can help you or a loved one after being abused by a religious leader, contact us today.

Consequences of Priest Sexual Abuse

Whether the sexual abuse occurred weeks, months, years, or decades ago, survivors can experience a wide range of emotions. These feelings can include rage, fear, grief, anger, and shame, and are normal reactions to being abused. If you are an adult survivor, you may have kept these feelings inside for many years. Maybe you have sought out therapy, attended support groups, or found other ways to heal from what happened. The effects of this trauma may be impacting your life to this day. Recovery starts when you tell a trusted loved one and seek support from a counselor. Then you may find you are strong enough to take legal action and meet with our Virginia Priest Sexual Abuse Lawyers to file a lawsuit for restitution.

Survivors may have to go through many stages and emotions before slowly recovering from the abuse. Survivors may have:

• Shame or guilt about the incidents
• Blame themselves for what happened
• Struggle with self-esteem
• Thoughts about hurting themselves
• Difficulty with adult romantic relationships
• Trouble establishing boundaries with others

Call Cohen & Cohen For Compassionate Guidance

At our law firm, we understand that you are a survivor of trauma. This means you may have struggled with memories of past events and are terrified to come forward with your story. There may have been a time where you doubted that the abuse even happened at all. But for most survivors, they will reach a point where they accept the truth of what occurred and want to find out whether they can achieve a sense of justice through filing a lawsuit. We have seen just how much taking legal action against the offender and church entity can move forward survivors in their recovery.

The legal professionals at Cohen & Cohen are experienced in handling VA Priest Sexual Abuse Lawsuits families can depend on. We understand that places of worship feel like safe havens for parishioners, and it is supposed to be a community where you can rest, reflect, and seek comfort. But all too often we hear about cases of priests or other religious leaders taking advantage of parishioners. Children, in particular, are vulnerable to sexual abuse and may be too afraid to come forward about their stories until later on in life.

Whether you or your child have been the victim of sexual abuse in the church, please know that you have options. You may be entitled to substantial financial compensation for the horrific events you went through. For many survivors, winning a lawsuit in court against the offender and/or church entity that allowed the abuse to occur can provide them with a sense of justice. Call Cohen & Cohen today to learn more about how we can help you during this difficult time. 

Religious Leaders and Churchgoers

The relationship between a leader of a religious practice and a churchgoer is similar to a doctor and patient, where there is supposed to be an added element of trust. The church leader has a certain power over the congregation and a parishioner may feel as though they do not have authority over sexual advances. Sexual abuse between a church leader and churchgoers negates consent and is a crime where the abuser should be held accountable.

If you or a loved one is a survivor of sexual abuse at the hands of a church leader, a lawyer for Virginia Priest Sexual Abuse Lawsuits can provide the clarity you need.

What To Do About the Abuse

Anyone who has received attention of a sexual nature that was unwanted is considered a sexual abuse victim. Secondary victims are people who were indirectly affected by sexual misconduct, such as children, spouses, and other churchgoers. If you or a family member was a victim, our legal team can help you obtain the justice you deserve. Here are the steps to take next: 

1. Do not return yourself or your family to the church. The church workers may try to protect their institution by meeting with you and dissuading from calling the police or filing a lawsuit. The church may offer you compensation through a church insurance program, but this is commonly just an attempt to keep you quiet and not share your story publicly.
2. Find a trusted therapist and get a health exam. Processing feelings about the abuse can feel scary, and many people seek help from a counselor. If the abuse was recent, it can help your case to get a medical exam right away. Your doctor can also test for sexually transmitted infections.
3. Talk with a qualified sexual abuse lawyer. Due to the sensitive nature of these cases, you should only get legal guidance from a lawyer who has experience representing victims of church sexual abuse.

If you want to learn more about how our law firm can help, please call Cohen & Cohen regarding filing Priest Sexual Abuse Lawsuits in Virginia. 

We know money cannot take back the abuse, but a financial award can help make your life more manageable and enjoyable. We offer compassionate consultations at no obligation and no cost to new clients, so please call Cohen & Cohen today to schedule your appointment with our Priest Sexual Abuse Lawyers in VA as soon as possible.