Ohio Attorney for Sexual Abuse Victims of Priests in the Catholic Church

People of all ages turn to their religious leaders and clergy for spiritual and moral guidance. However, for decades now, the Roman Catholic Church has dealt with allegations and cases of sexual abuse by its priests. Many of these accusations against individual clergy members have proven to be true. Almost more troubling than the sexual abuse itself has been how the Church has systematically acted to hide or ignore many of the reports of abuse.

The physical and emotional pain that results from sexual abuse by a religious leader could last a lifetime. A survivor of abuse often struggles with their relationships, self-worth, and faith in religion. Our Ohio attorney for sexual abuse victims of priests in the Catholic Church is dedicated to helping survivors of sexual misconduct. By fighting for monetary compensation, many victims of abuse find help moving forward. Call The Law Offices of Andrew Shubin (814) 826-3586 to schedule a free, confidential appointment.

Sexual Abuse By Catholic Church Priests in Ohio

In 2003, almost two decades ago, the Cincinnati Archdiocese was criminally charged for its failure to report the sexual abuse of minors committed by its priests and religious leaders. Since that landmark case, the Roman Catholic Church in Ohio has paid millions of dollars in compensation to survivors of sexual assault.

Unfortunately, the Ohio Attorney General has failed to follow the example of neighboring states. Claiming that Ohio law prohibits statewide investigations into sexual abuse, it has been left up to county prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against the Church and religious leaders. Likewise, individual lawyers, such as Andrew Shubin, have assisted victims of sexual abuse seeking compensation through civil lawsuits. Victims of sexual abuse by their clergy are not limited to waiting for their local authorities to press a criminal charge; they are entitled to seek justice through the civil courts.

The Ohio Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse by Catholic Church Priests

Unfortunately for victims of sexual abuse, Ohio has some of the shortest and restrictive deadlines for filing a civil lawsuit based on sexual assault. In some cases, because of the time that has passed since the incident of assault, a survivor of abuse might be prohibited from filing a civil lawsuit. Depending on the conduct that has been alleged, a victim of assault could have as little as two years to file a civil lawsuit.

If you were an adult at the time of the sexual abuse by a clergy member, meaning over the age of eighteen, you only have two years to file a lawsuit. While most people tend to think that the sexual abuse perpetrated by religious leaders in the Catholic Church was aimed at minors, young adults were and are also targeted. If you were over the age of eighteen and were abused by a member of the clergy, it is crucial that your do not wait to report the crime and speak with our Ohio attorney for sexual abuse injuries.

In cases where the victim was a minor at the time of the incident, they have twelve years from the date of their eighteenth birthday to bring a claim against their abuser and the Catholic Church. This means, under Ohio law, that once someone reaches the age of thirty, they are barred from bringing an abuse claim against the Catholic Church.

This limitation can often be problematic because many abuse victims were reluctant to come forward, especially years ago when allegations against the Catholic Church were ignored or disregarded. The average age when childhood victims of sexual abuse by religious leaders come forward is fifty years old. Because of this time frame, many survivors are prohibited from seeking compensation for their physical and emotional suffering. Despite the number of allegations that have grown against the Church and a prevailing change in sentiment towards liability for sexual misconduct, Ohio has not addressed its old and restrictive laws as of the time of this writing.

Civil Lawsuits Against the Catholic Church for Sexual Abuse in Ohio

On top of the shame and pain associated with sexual abuse, many people in Ohio fear that it is impossible to win a lawsuit against the Catholic Church. There is some misinformation that the Church is protected by law, even in cases of sexual abuse. This could not be further from the truth, and our Ohio attorney for victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests is available to guide you through this difficult time.

The Catholic Church, including individual priests and institutions, can be held liable for incidents of sexual abuse that were allowed to occur. Filing a civil lawsuit does not require a criminal charge or conviction. In many cases, where the original defendant died years ago, a survivor is entitled to sue the Catholic Church itself.

While a criminal conviction is helpful, it is not necessary to win a civil lawsuit. The burden of proof in a civil case is dramatically less stringent than in a criminal proceeding. This means that, while the evidence might not have been strong enough to warrant a guilty verdict, it could be sufficient to hold the Catholic Church financially liable for your injuries and emotional harm in civil court.

Call Our Ohio Lawyer for Sexual Abuse Victims of Priests in the Catholic Church for a Free Consultation

The institutional sexual abuse attorneys and staff at The Law Offices of Andrew Shubin are devoted to providing survivors of sexual abuse by members of the clergy professional and compassionate representation. Our Ohio attorneys for sexual abuse victims of priests in the Catholic Church will fight for the compensation you call (814) 826-3586 to schedule a free, confidential consultation to review your options.