The Vatican should play a critical role in addressing clergy sexual abuse. As the highest authority in Catholicism, they could make a great difference by condemning abuse and abusers, refusing to protect exploitative clergy, and listening to the survivors of abuse about what should be done to make the church safer for all.
Unfortunately, the Vatican has traditionally been lax in its response to the worldwide clergy sexual abuse crisis. A Baltimore clergy sex abuse lawyer who serves your community can provide you with personalized legal assistance and advice.
How the Vatican Can Help Stop Clergy Sex Abuse
As the leader of the Catholic Church, the Vatican sets the standard for Catholic institutions and organizations all over the world. They could protect countless children by stepping up and playing a definitive role in addressing clergy sexual abuse. So far, however, their actions have yielded unsatisfying results:
- It was only in 2019 that Pope Francis made it mandatory for priests and nuns to report clergy abuse and any cover-ups to church authorities. The law does not require anyone to make a report to the police.
- The church has not provided any reports or updates on how this new policy is working. In other words, no one knows if the law has resulted in an increase in reporting and what, if anything, the church has done in response to these reports.
- The church’s priority has long been its own reputation and safety, not justice for the people who have suffered because of their own clergy’s actions. While some within the church undoubtedly have the best of intentions, changing such an ingrained mindset will not happen overnight or without strong enforcement of clear, strict laws designed with survivors in mind.
What the Vatican Could Do to Prevent Sexual Abuse
So far, the Vatican has not done anywhere near enough to address clergy sexual abuse, despite the great potential they have to do so. A more effective and compassionate role for them might include:
- Being more open about how they report, investigate, and make decisions regarding abuse allegations
- Requiring all reports of clergy abuse to be made to both church authorities and the police
- Listening to survivors and implementing changes that would make it less stressful and strenuous for them to achieve justice from the church, instead of merely shuffling abusive clergy members to another church where they can continue abusing children
For a free legal consultation, call,
(888) 585-2188
What You Can Do After Clergy Sex Abuse
Unfortunately, the Vatican isn’t doing enough to help survivors of clergy abuse, but you do have other options to get the justice you deserve. A trauma-informed lawyer who serves your area can listen to your story, protect you and your rights, and seek justice and compensation on your behalf.
What an Abuse Lawyer Can Do for Your Case
A legal representative with experience handling sex abuse cases can provide an invaluable service to you by:
- Explaining the merits of your case and what your rights are
- Listening to your story, when you are ready to tell it
- Meeting you where you are, ensuring that the language and body language we use ensures you that you are safe and that we believe you
- Collecting evidence that proves the abuser hurt you and what the effects of that abuse have been
- Acting as a go-between—you do not have to speak to your abuser directly, and your lawyer will deliver messages from them to you and vice versa
- Calculating your damages to make sure that you ask for the right amount of money to cover all of your losses
- Fighting for every penny you deserve, whether your legal team has to negotiate with the liable party or take your case all the way to court
Clergy Sexual Abuse and Legal Deadlines
The amount of time you have to begin your case depends on where you live. One of the most survivor-friendly laws is in Maryland. Here, according to Md. Cts. and Jud. Proc. § 5-117, survivors of child sex abuse can file a case “at any time,” even years or decades after the fact. There is no statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse in Maryland. You can even file a lawsuit if your case was previously time-barred.
(Note: There is a deadline if you are filing against the Archdiocese of Baltimore, call a clergy abuse attorney immediately. You only have until May 31, 2024, to file your case.)
Other states set a specific time period—usually several years after reaching adulthood—in which the survivor has to act. Abuse lawyers in your area are certainly familiar with the deadline you must meet, so it is a good idea to get in touch with them as soon as you can.
What to Do After Catholic Church Sex Abuse
Perhaps your abuse occurred years ago and you are only just now starting to process and accept what happened to you. Maybe you are the parent of a child who just recently told you about the abuse, and you are reading this as you try to figure out what to do to help your child.
Either way, as painful as it is to admit, you cannot depend on the Vatican or any church authority to help you. Fortunately, there are others who can step up to support you as you pursue your case.
The Role of Friends and Family
Is there anyone in your life that you trust enough to share your story with? Loved ones and close friends can form a safety net for you to rely on when you feel especially low.
If you do not feel comfortable talking about the abuse with people you already know, consider finding an abuse survivor support group either in your area or online.
The Role of Mental Health Professionals
The emotional scars caused by sexual abuse can run deep. It might help to talk to a professional therapist or counselor who can teach you healthy coping mechanisms. The compensation you get from the at-fault party can cover your therapy bills.
The Role of Sex Abuse Attorneys
Sharing your story with someone who has the power to help you hold the liable party responsible can be very cathartic. If your lawyer succeeds in securing damages for you, the knowledge that you have stood up to your abuser—and protect your community by exposing an exploitative clergy member—can also provide comfort.
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Our Lawyers Can Help You Address Clergy Sexual Abuse in Your Community
If you are a survivor of clergy sexual abuse anywhere in the United States, call Jenner Law today. Our team is not sitting around waiting for the Vatican to step up and play its rightful role in addressing these horrific crimes: we can get involved right now by reviewing your case and helping you pursue justice.
Call or text (888) 585-2188 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form