The Diocese of Baton Rouge has been accused of protecting predatory priests who are sexually abusing minors, leaving both adult and child victims with lifelong complications.
If you were sexually abused in the Roman Catholic Church, our firm can help you file a Louisiana clergy abuse lawsuit and gain compensation through a civil case. Our lawyers are committed to supporting abuse survivors.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is one of the leading law firms securing substantial settlements for child sex abuse. We have a proven track record of success in litigation against various religious institutions, including Roman Catholic dioceses nationwide.
Table of Contents
| $14.2 Million Priest grooming and handling | $4.1 Million Deacon assault and rape | $3 Million Clergy child abuse filed in adulthood |
| $2.5 Million Volunteer-perpetrated Catholic church abuse | $2.3 Million Religious school priest teen sexual abuse | $1.5 Million Clergy abuse case filed against a deceased priest |
Our goal is to empower child sex abuse survivors and help them seek justice. We use a trauma-informed, compassionate approach and will guide you through every step of a civil lawsuit, giving you the best chance to secure financial compensation.
Prevalence of Clergy Sex Abuse in the Diocese of Baton Rouge
Clergy abuse statistics for the Baton Rouge Diocese and the overarching Archdiocese of New Orleans demonstrate how Catholic Church leaders protected priests accused of child sexual abuse over decades.
- The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, of which the Baton Rouge Diocese is a suffragan, filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020 after 550 civil cases were filed related to clergy sexual abuse [1].
- In April 2024, Louisiana State Police served a search warrant at the Archdiocese of New Orleans for all church records related to priest abuse [2].
- The state police’s investigation into the church began due to criminal charges against Lawrence Hecker, a former Catholic clergy member who has at least 9 credible allegations against him for child sexual abuse [3].
- Between 2019 and 2020, the Diocese of Baton Rouge released a list of 45 clergy members who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse [4].
- One of the accused priests was Rev. Lawrence Dark. Most of the abuse occurred on the 60-acre Bill Anderson Boys Town in Ponchatoula in the 1960s and 1970s. He worked with boys aged 13-18, many of whom suffered past abuse before being under his care [5].
- At least 30 people have accused Fr Christopher Springer, a priest at St. Pius X in Baton Rouge, of sexually assaulting them [6].
Common Forms of Clergy Sex Abuse
- Childhood Sexual Abuse – Any sexual activity with a minor is considered sexual abuse, including showing the child pornography or masturbating in front of them.
- Grooming – This involves manipulating a victim, typically a child, into sexual activity. Grooming usually consists of gaining the child’s trust over weeks or months.
- Rape – Rape is forcible penetration by a body part into a sexual orifice.
- Sexual Assault – The Louisiana legislature defines sexual assault as any sexual act placed on a person by threat, fear, coercion, or manipulation. It can also be sexual assault if the person cannot legally consent [7].
- Sexual Harassment – Unwanted touching, groping, stalking, or sexualized comments are harassment.
- Abuse of Authority – This is when the individual uses their power over the victim to perpetrate sexual acts.
The Profile of Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims and Common Signs of Clergy Abuse
Research suggests the typical clergy sexual abuse victim is a male under the age of 18 [8], but anyone may be vulnerable to abuse.
Victims may suffer post-traumatic stress disorder, including a loss of spirituality and social ostracization [9]. According to RAINN, signs of child sexual abuse include [10]:
- STIs or genital injuries
- Regressive behaviors like bedwetting and thumb-sucking
- Fear of being alone
- Personality changes
- Poor school performance
- Inappropriate sexual behavior
- Self-harm
- Depression and anxiety
- Nightmares
Eligibility to File a Clergy Abuse Lawsuit
Our law firm can pursue legal action against the Catholic Church or other religious organizations, such as Protestant or Jewish denominations. This can include the Diocese of Baton Rouge, the New Orleans Archdiocese, or specific parishes.
If a Louisiana clergy member sexually abused you or your child, our experienced attorneys can assist you in filing claims. This includes child victims and their parents, adult victims of sex abuse, and adult survivors who were abused long ago.
Liability in Clergy Abuse Cases
In clergy abuse litigation, several parties could be held liable, which includes the perpetrator, senior church officials, or the diocese itself. People may face criminal charges or civil lawsuits.
The perpetrator is responsible for causing harm, but anyone who knew about the abuse may be responsible for failing to protect the victim.
Catholic churches may be responsible because of vicarious liability, which holds them accountable for the behavior of their employees. They can also be held responsible for negligent hiring or supervision, such as if they knew the employee was a danger but failed to act. Institutions are often held liable for failing to report the abuse.
To prove liability, our team will thoroughly investigate who knew about the abuse and why they failed to act. It must be proven that church officials knew the abuse occurred, and they did not do enough to stop or prevent it.
The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Civil in Baton Rouge
Louisiana lawmakers have recently passed a law that allows adult survivors of childhood sex abuse to open lawsuits until 2027 in a fight with federal courts to bring relief to victims.
Steps to Take if You Are a Victim
The first thing you should do is ensure you’re in a safe place away from the abuser. Contact the local authorities if you cannot get away from your abuser. Go to the hospital to report the assault; doctors will often collect DNA and take pictures. Your medical records will create the paper trail necessary to prove liability.
Document the incident as soon as you can. Write down everything you can remember about the incident, including actions leading up to the assault. It’s best to include every detail you can remember, even if it seems irrelevant. It’s best to have too much information instead of not enough.
You should report sexual abuse as soon as possible to the authorities, who can open an investigation and collect crucial evidence. This is crucial if you want to press criminal charges.
Baton Rouge survivors can access support through Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response, a local nonprofit.
How Our Baton Rouge Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help
Our team will assist you with all aspects of a civil case against the Catholic Church, which includes:
- Identifying whether you have a case
- Evaluating your case for potential damages
- Gathering evidence, like medical records and testimony
- Consulting with expert witnesses
- Filing a lawsuit
- Negotiating with the church’s insurance company
- Providing legal representation in court
The Cost of Hiring a Baton Rouge Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning we deduct our legal fees from your settlement and you owe us nothing unless we win your case.
Compensation for Clergy Abuse Survivors
Victims may be eligible for a variety of financial compensation in a civil claim, which includes:
- Medical bills
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In some cases, the civil court awards punitive damages, which are meant to punish perpetrators for their behavior.
The amount of compensation you may receive depends on when the abuse occurred, the length of time it happened, and the financial losses associated with the clergy sex abuse.
Contact a Baton Rouge Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today!
If you or a loved one has been impacted by clergy sex abuse in the Catholic Church, it’s crucial to understand your legal rights. A Baton Rouge clergy sex abuse lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can guide you through the legal process, ensuring a thorough investigation of your case and offering compassionate support.
With specific statutes of limitations in Louisiana clergy abuse cases, it’s essential to act quickly to preserve your rights. For your free initial consultation, call us 24/7 at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form.
Related Practice Areas
- Louisiana Catholic Diocese Priest Abuse List
- Louisiana Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer
- Lafayette Clergy Abuse Lawyer
- Lake Charles Clergy Abuse Lawyer
- New Orleans Clergy Abuse Lawyer
- Shreveport Clergy Abuse Lawyer
References: [1] NOLA.com, [2] NOLA.com, [3] NOLA.com, [4] The Advocate, [5] The Advocate, [6] The Advocate, [7] Justia, [8] National Library of Medicine, [9] Child Abuse & Neglect, [10] Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.
