Religious institutions are places of trust where survivors should feel safe. Yet far too often, sexual abuse by clergy and religious leaders shatters that trust. It causes profound trauma. At Dordick Law, we represent survivors throughout Southern California. We handle cases involving abuse by clergy, religious leaders, and staff members. Our attorneys hold both perpetrators and negligent institutions accountable through civil litigation. We pursue the compensation survivors deserve.
If you experienced sexual abuse in a religious setting, you have legal options. Civil claims allow you to recover financial compensation. This is separate from any criminal prosecution. We offer a free, confidential consultation. We discuss your case and explain your rights.
Understanding Religious Institution Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse in religious settings takes many forms. Contact abuse involves direct physical touching of a survivor’s genitals, breasts, or buttocks. It also includes forcing a survivor to touch an abuser’s genitals. Non-contact abuse includes exposing genitals to a survivor. It includes showing pornographic material, voyeurism, or online exploitation. Both forms cause serious trauma and require experienced sexual abuse attorneys to pursue justice.
Religious institutions create unique vulnerabilities that predators exploit. Survivors enter these environments expecting spiritual guidance and protection. Religious authority figures hold significant power over congregants. This is especially true for children and vulnerable adults. Isolation within religious communities makes it difficult for survivors to report abuse. It makes it difficult to seek help. Institutional cultures sometimes prioritize reputation over survivor protection. This enables abusers to continue harassing multiple victims.
Sexual abuse occurs across all denominations. The Catholic Church abuse scandals received significant media attention. But abuse also occurs in Protestant churches, Jewish organizations, Latter-day Saint communities, Jehovah’s Witnesses congregations, Seventh-day Adventist churches, and Orthodox Jewish communities. Predators target religious settings because they offer access to vulnerable individuals. Institutional structures sometimes protect abusers rather than survivors. Our Southern California legal team has extensive experience holding these institutions accountable.
How Predators Exploit Religious Authority
Religious leaders occupy positions of profound trust and authority. Survivors often view clergy and religious teachers as moral guides. They see them as spiritual mentors. This authority dynamic makes survivors vulnerable to manipulation and grooming. Predators exploit this trust by gradually normalizing inappropriate contact. They isolate survivors from support systems. They use religious teachings to justify abuse or silence survivors. Many survivors struggle to report abuse. They fear losing their faith community. They fear being blamed for the abuse. Understanding these dynamics is critical to pursuing successful claims.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Religious Abuse
One critical aspect of religious abuse cases involves identifying all potentially liable parties. You do not pursue justice against only the individual abuser. Instead, you hold accountable the institutions and individuals whose negligence enabled the abuse. Our attorneys understand institutional negligence and work to identify every responsible party.
Direct perpetrators—clergy members, religious leaders, staff, and volunteers—bear responsibility for their abusive conduct. However, civil liability extends beyond individual abusers. It includes the institutions that failed to protect survivors. Religious institutions face liability through negligent hiring claims. They fail to conduct thorough background checks. They fail to investigate red flags in an applicant’s history.
Negligent supervision claims arise when institutions fail to implement proper safeguards. They fail to monitor staff conduct. They fail to respond to warning signs of inappropriate behavior. Negligent retention claims apply when institutions continue employing individuals with known histories of abuse. They allow access to individuals with concerning conduct.
Cover-up and concealment liability holds institutions accountable when they knowingly conceal abuse. They fail to report to law enforcement. They move abusers to different locations to avoid accountability. Many religious institutions have faced substantial liability for these institutional failures. Our case results demonstrate our success in pursuing these claims.
Mandatory reporters—including teachers, counselors, and healthcare providers—have legal obligations to report suspected child abuse to authorities. Failure to report constitutes a violation. It can support civil liability claims against both the individual and their employer.
Multiple defendants often appear in single cases. You may pursue claims against the individual abuser. You may pursue claims against the religious institution. You may pursue claims against supervisory personnel who knew or should have known about the abuse. You may pursue claims against other entities that failed to protect survivors. Our experienced attorneys pursue comprehensive claims against all responsible parties.
Your Legal Rights and Statute of Limitations
California law provides extended opportunities for survivors to pursue civil claims. Assembly Bill 452 (effective January 1, 2024) eliminated the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims entirely. Survivors can file civil claims at any time with no deadline. This means you can pursue justice regardless of how many years have passed since the abuse occurred.
Assembly Bill 218 (AB 218) created a revival window that allowed survivors to file claims for historical abuse. While that original window closed on December 31, 2022, California has created additional revival windows. Assembly Bill 2777 provides a revival window through December 31, 2026. This applies to adult survivors of abuse occurring on or after January 1, 2009. Assembly Bill 250, which opened on January 1, 2026, provides a new revival window through December 31, 2027. This applies to adult survivors of abuse by private institutions. These windows create time-limited opportunities to pursue justice for historical abuse. If you experienced abuse, consult with an attorney promptly. Determine which window may apply to your case.
Note: Revival windows do not apply to abuse by public schools or county facilities, which have different immunity rules.
Civil claims differ fundamentally from criminal cases. Criminal prosecution is brought by the state. It focuses on punishing the perpetrator. Civil lawsuits are filed by survivors or their families. They recover financial compensation for damages. A critical distinction exists: civil cases use a lower burden of proof. This is “preponderance of the evidence” compared to criminal cases (“beyond a reasonable doubt”). This means you can pursue a civil claim even if criminal charges were never filed. You can pursue a civil claim if a criminal case resulted in an acquittal.
Why You Should Act Now
The revival windows create urgency. Assembly Bill 2777’s window closes December 31, 2026 (11 months away). Assembly Bill 250’s window closes December 31, 2027. While survivors of childhood sexual abuse have no statute of limitations deadline, waiting reduces evidence availability. Witness memory fades. Institutions may destroy records. Witnesses may become unavailable. Memories fade over time. Acting promptly preserves evidence and strengthens your case. Consulting with an attorney early ensures you understand your rights. You will not miss critical deadlines for available revival windows. Contact our Southern California office today to discuss your case.
Types of Compensation Available
California law allows survivors to recover various forms of compensation. This reflects the full scope of damages caused by abuse. Our case results demonstrate the substantial compensation we recover for survivors.
Medical and psychological treatment costs represent significant damages. Survivors often require extensive medical care. This includes physical examinations and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Psychological treatment—therapy, counseling, and psychiatric care—addresses trauma. It addresses post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Compensation covers past treatment costs and future anticipated care needs.
Pain and suffering damages recognize the physical pain experienced during abuse. They recognize the emotional suffering that follows. This category encompasses trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life. Our attorneys work with medical and psychological experts to document these damages comprehensively.
Lost wages and earning capacity damages compensate survivors for income lost due to the abuse. They compensate for income lost due to its effects. Some survivors cannot work due to trauma symptoms. Others experience reduced earning capacity throughout their lives. This is due to psychological injuries.
Punitive damages punish particularly egregious conduct. They deter similar violations by others. When institutions knowingly concealed abuse, courts may award punitive damages. When institutions moved abusers to avoid accountability, courts may award punitive damages. When institutions demonstrated reckless disregard for survivor safety, courts may award punitive damages. These are awarded in addition to compensatory damages.
Non-economic damages address the non-financial impact of abuse. This includes loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent emotional injuries. These damages recognize that abuse causes harm. This harm extends far beyond medical bills and lost wages.
How Dordick Law Investigates Religious Abuse Cases
Our approach to religious abuse cases combines thorough investigation and aggressive advocacy. We provide compassionate representation. We understand that discussing abuse requires courage. We create a safe, confidential environment for that conversation. Our award-winning team brings decades of experience to every case.
Our investigative process begins with listening to your story. We then conduct a comprehensive investigation. This includes obtaining and reviewing all institutional records. We interview social workers and witnesses. We examine personnel files and background check documentation. We consult with experts on institutional negligence and abuse dynamics.
We work with medical and psychological experts. We document the full scope of your injuries. We establish the connection between the abuse and your current symptoms. We retain institutional negligence experts. They testify about the institution’s failures. They testify about failures to implement proper safeguards. They testify about failures to respond to warning signs. Our experienced litigators have successfully pursued these complex cases.
We identify all potentially liable parties. This includes the individual abuser, supervisory personnel, the institution itself, and any other entities that failed to protect you. We pursue claims against each defendant. This maximizes your recovery. Our case results demonstrate our commitment to comprehensive recovery.
We handle all aspects of your case. This is from initial investigation through settlement negotiation or trial. You focus on healing while we handle the legal work. We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. This arrangement ensures that financial constraints do not prevent survivors from accessing quality legal representation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Religious Institution Sexual Abuse
What is the difference between criminal and civil sexual abuse claims?
Criminal cases are brought by the state. They focus on punishing the perpetrator through imprisonment or other criminal penalties. Civil lawsuits are filed by survivors or their families. They recover financial compensation for damages. Criminal cases require proof “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Civil cases require proof by a “preponderance of the evidence”—a lower standard. You can pursue a civil claim even if criminal charges were never filed. You can pursue a civil claim if a criminal case resulted in acquittal. Many survivors pursue both criminal and civil claims simultaneously. Our Southern California attorneys can guide you through both processes.
How long do I have to file a sexual abuse claim in California?
California law allows survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil claims at any time. There is no statute of limitations deadline. For adult survivors, Assembly Bill 2777 provides a revival window through December 31, 2026. This applies to abuse occurring on or after January 1, 2009. Assembly Bill 250 provides a revival window through December 31, 2027. This applies to abuse by private institutions. However, these revival windows are not permanent. If you believe you experienced sexual abuse, consult with an attorney promptly. Understand your rights and ensure you do not miss critical deadlines. Contact Dordick Law today.
Can I sue the religious institution directly?
Yes. Religious institutions can be held liable for sexual abuse occurring within their organizations. This is through negligent hiring, supervision, and retention claims. You may pursue claims against the individual abuser. You may pursue claims against the religious institution. You may pursue claims against supervisory personnel who knew or should have known about the abuse. You may pursue claims against other entities that failed to protect you. Holding institutions accountable sends a message. It shows that negligence enabling abuse will not be tolerated. It may prevent future abuse. Our case results demonstrate our success in holding institutions liable.
What damages can I recover in a religious abuse case?
You can recover damages for medical expenses, therapy and mental health treatment, pain and suffering, lost wages or earning capacity, and potentially punitive damages. This applies in cases involving egregious conduct. Our attorneys work with experts. We calculate the full scope of damages your family has suffered. We calculate damages your family will suffer in the future. This ensures you receive fair compensation. Review our case results to see the compensation we have recovered for survivors.
Do I have to pay attorney fees upfront?
No. Dordick Law works on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. If we do not recover money, you owe us nothing. This arrangement ensures that financial constraints do not prevent survivors from accessing quality legal representation. Our Southern California team is committed to serving survivors regardless of their financial situation.
How long does a religious abuse case typically take?
The timeline varies depending on case complexity. It depends on the defendant’s willingness to settle. It depends on whether the case proceeds to trial. Some cases settle within months. Others may take several years. Our attorneys work efficiently to resolve your case. We ensure we pursue maximum compensation. We keep you informed throughout the process. We discuss settlement offers and litigation strategy with you. Our experienced litigators have successfully resolved hundreds of cases.
Contact Dordick Law Today
If you experienced sexual abuse in a religious institution, contact Dordick Law for a free, confidential consultation. Our Southern California sexual abuse attorneys are ready to discuss your case. We answer your questions. We explain your legal options. We represent survivors on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Call us today at (310) 551-0949 or complete our online contact form to schedule your free consultation. Let us help you pursue justice and the compensation you deserve. Visit our Los Angeles office, Riverside office, or Beverly Hills office to meet with our team in person.
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