Bishops Meet in Chicago to Reflect on Clergy Abuse Scandal
Read More
Childhood sexual abuse –or any type of sexual transgression, no matter the age of the victim –is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. No matter how you define sexual abuse, the impact of this offense is often times life altering. If you or a loved one suffered child sexual abuse or any other kind of sexual misconductat the hands of someone representing an institution such as a college, a church or a law enforcement agency, our attorneys may be able to help you obtain compensation
Priests Accused of Sexual Abuse
As in many other states, child sexual abuse allegedly committed by priests is a major problem in California. In San Luis Obispo, for example, in January 2019, at least six Catholic priests were named in a report alleging childhood sexual abuse.
In December 2018, dozens more Catholic priests serving dioceses in Southern California were also accused of sexual abuse of kids. Advocates for child sexual abuse victims produced a list of 72 names of priests suspected of inappropriate conduct with children. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles updated its own list of priests accused of abuse, adding 54 more names. That brings the total number of accused clerics to 323.
Other Institutions Affected By Sexual Abuse
But the problem of institutional sexual abuse is not limited to the Catholic Church. In January 2019, Los Angeles County agreed to pay nearly $2 million to a woman who was sexually abused by two Los Angeles police officers. The two officers pled no contest to sexual assault and were each sentenced to 25 years in jail.
Extending the Statute of Limitations
On January 1, 2019, an extremely important law went into effect. Instead of only having two years to take action regarding sexual assault, victims now have 10 years to file a civil lawsuit against the people who abused them. Hopefully, this will encourage more victims to come forward once they feel comfortable doing so.
Why You Need an Attorney
Fighting these kinds of cases can be extremely complex. You need to know, for example, what is sexual abuse, or what is child sexual abuse. Different states have different definitions of this type of offense, so you need an experienced attorney who knows the law in California.
Sexual Abuse Claim has that experience. We know how to define sexual abuse according to California law, and we work passionately on behalf of our clients. If you would like to learn more about how we may be able to help, please contact us online or call (866) 691-7631.
