Religious spaces should be safe. When clergy or church personnel violate that trust, survivors face profound emotional, physical, and financial harm. Our firm represents survivors and families nationwide, pursuing accountability and compensation from the individuals and institutions responsible. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential, 24/7 support, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat online.
Clergy abuse includes sexual assault, sexual exploitation, grooming, and other misconduct by priests, ministers, deacons, religious brothers or sisters, and church employees or volunteers acting under a faith organization’s authority. It can occur in parishes, schools, youth groups, retreats, counseling or spiritual-direction settings, and off-site church activities. Survivors may be children, teens, or vulnerable adults. Many cases involve grooming—slowly building trust through attention, access, secrecy, and the misuse of spiritual authority—followed by sexual contact, coercion, or other abuse.
Patterns often include boundary violations during counseling or confession, misuse of mentorship roles, late-night one-on-one meetings, or access created by church programs and trips. When prior complaints are ignored or a perpetrator is transferred rather than removed, risk escalates. Depending on the facts and state law, liable parties may include the perpetrator; a diocese, archdiocese, or religious order; and affiliated entities such as parishes, schools, camps, or youth organizations. Our investigation examines complaint histories, transfer files, prior incidents, supervision and reporting policies, and whether reasonable steps were taken once leadership knew or should have known about the danger.
Your health comes first. Seek medical care to address injuries, discuss prophylaxis where appropriate, and document symptoms even if the abuse occurred long ago. Preserve evidence by saving texts, emails, letters, gifts, church bulletins, and any notes or reports you made; write a timeline while memories are fresh; and keep relevant clothing or devices. Reporting is your choice: some survivors report to law enforcement, some to the diocese or religious order, and some do both or neither; a trauma-informed attorney can help you weigh timing, privacy, and safety. Confidential support is available at any time through national and local crisis services. Early legal involvement helps secure church and third-party records and prevents the destruction of critical evidence.
Survivors can pursue civil lawsuits against perpetrators and responsible institutions for negligence, negligent supervision and retention, and related claims. In many regions, Catholic entities and other faith organizations have used Chapter 11 bankruptcy; when that occurs, claims are typically processed through court-monitored procedures with strict filing deadlines and, in some cases, settlement trusts. Separate from bankruptcy, some states have extended statutes of limitations or created “look-back” or “revival” windows that temporarily reopen expired claims for childhood sexual abuse. We assess which jurisdiction’s laws apply, the best forum to bring your claim, and how potential arbitration or immunity issues affect strategy.
Survivors may recover compensation for medical and counseling costs (past and future), lost income and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and out-of-pocket expenses such as relocation or security measures. In egregious cases, punitive damages may be available to punish and deter misconduct. Strict deadlines can apply, especially in bankruptcy proceedings or revival windows, so acting promptly helps protect your rights.
You may still have options even if the abuse happened decades ago. Changes in the law have allowed many adult survivors to file claims that were previously time-barred. We review when and where the abuse occurred, any prior disclosures, and the current status of state-specific filing windows or extended limitation periods. If a church entity is in bankruptcy, we identify the applicable bar date and claim process to ensure your voice is heard.
We offer a free, confidential consultation centered on your goals. Our team sends preservation letters to secure church, school, and third-party records; coordinates with medical and mental-health providers to fully document harm; and builds a tailored strategy—negotiation, litigation, or a bankruptcy claim—based on your preferences and the strongest path to accountability. Throughout the process, we prioritize trauma-informed communication and your control over key decisions.
If clergy or church personnel abused you or someone you love, you do not have to navigate this alone. Contact Pulaski Law Firm for a free, confidential case review. We’ll listen, explain your options, and move quickly to preserve evidence and pursue the accountability and compensation you deserve.
