Church Sexual Abuse Attorney in Boca Raton, Florida

Church leaders and clergy are supposed to be exemplars of moral values, which makes it even more heinous and upsetting when they take advantage of their congregants. Survivors of church sexual abuse may feel shame and fear retaliation, which prevents them from seeking justice and restitution. In many cases, young children are the targets of church and clergy abuse, which can cause lifelong psychological trauma and developmental issues.

If you or a loved one has been subjected to church sexual abuse in Florida, contact the attorneys at Lehrman Law. We have extensive experience handling these types of sexual abuse cases and can pursue financial compensation for your harm. We understand the fraught nature of sexual abuse cases involving religious institutions and can manage your claim in a way that protects your privacy and dignity.

Contact our offices online or call today to discuss options for financial compensation with a church sexual abuse attorney in Florida.

What Constitutes Sexual Abuse By a Clergy Member?

Church sexual abuse in Florida involves sexual assault and battery by religious clergy, leaders, and officials. It includes acts such as rape, attempted rape, unwanted touching, coercion, harassment, and other forms of non-consensual sexual behavior.

In cases involving minors, church sex abuse might consist of grooming – a practice where adults gain the trust of children with the intention of sexually abusing them later. Sexual abuse by religious officials and institutions occurs across denominations and in a variety of contexts.

How Does Church Sexual Abuse Happen?

Sexual abuse is by no means unique to churches, but some specific features of religious institutions can contribute to sexual violence. Perpetrators of church sexual abuse often rely on their positions of authority to silence survivors and avoid consequences for their behavior. Survivors might themselves feel shame and fear ostracism and judgment if they speak out. The close-knit nature of churches means that sexual assault allegations can cause enormous friction and stress among the community.

In many cases, abuse continues to happen because those with knowledge and the authority to stop it turn a blind eye. For example, the Catholic Church has been known to move priests with sexual assault allegations to different parishes to avoid consequences. These institutional failures occur when religious leaders put their church’s reputation and financial security ahead of protecting their members.

Who Can Be Liable for Church Sexual Abuse?

Several parties affiliated with a church can be liable for sexual abuse:

Individual Abuser

Most obviously, the individual church leader or clergy member is liable for the abuse they committed. Florida church leaders and officials have a duty to their members, so there is an expectation that they will protect and not abuse the trust of congregants.

Church

Church administration can also bear liability for sexual abuse. Church administrators might know about sexual abuse and do nothing to stop it. They may also negligently hire priests and clergy who have a history of sexual abuse allegations or convictions.

Diocese

Similarly, the larger church dioceses or regional church organizations can be liable if their behavior contributed to abuse. For instance, regional organizations can refuse to remove clergy members with a history of sexual assault allegations.

Mandated Reporters

In child sexual abuse cases, mandated reporters can bear liability if they knew about the abuse and did not report it. All adults in Florida are mandated reporters for child abuse, including professionals like doctors, social workers, school personnel, and other church clergy members.

What Kind of Compensation Can I Recover in a Church Sexual Abuse Civil Claim?

Depending on the circumstances, an attorney from Lehrman Law can pursue compensation for a wide range of losses, including:

Medical treatment, including doctors’ visits, diagnostic tests, and imaging expenses
Therapy and psychiatric counseling fees
Prescription medication costs, such as antidepressants
Emotional distress and anguish
Lost income from missing work
Loss of enjoyment of life

The scars of sexual abuse run deep and can touch every aspect of your life. We aim to be as comprehensive as possible in compensation, giving you sufficient funds to recover and rebuild your life.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim for Church Sexual Abuse in Florida?

Under Florida law, you generally have four years to file a civil claim for intentional torts, like sexual assault and abuse. Church sexual abuse is often ongoing, so the four-year counter starts from the most recent incident of abuse. After four years, your legal claim to compensation will expire. However, the case is different for civil claims for sexual abuse involving a minor. If you or your loved one was under 16 when the abuse occurred, there is no time limit for filing a civil claim.

In contrast, negligence-based civil claims have a two-year time limit. This time limit might be relevant if you decide to sue the religious organization for negligence that contributed to your abuse. Regardless of which time limit applies, it is in your best interest to start building your claim as soon as possible. Delaying will only make it more difficult to secure compensation for your injuries.

Contact a Florida Church Sexual Abuse Attorney Today

Many people find significant meaning and belonging in their church communities. This deep connection makes sexual abuse by church leaders all the more painful and distressing. However, survivors are not alone, and there are options for seeking the personal and financial relief you deserve. The attorneys at Lehrman Law proudly stand by survivors and will work tirelessly to hold abusive religious leaders and institutions accountable for the harm they cause. We cannot undo the pain of abuse, but we can pursue justice for those who need it most.