Clergy abuse has affected thousands of people across the country, including Cambridge, Massachusetts. The impacts of clergy members sexually abusing those within their congregation can be felt for the rest of the survivors’ lives.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is dedicated to helping clergy abuse survivors in Cambridge by seeking the highest compensation settlement and providing unwavering support throughout the legal process.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we specialize in handling sensitive cases of clergy abuse with compassion and expertise. Our team has a proven track record of securing substantial settlements for those who have suffered from clergy sexual abuse.

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 mission is to obtain justice and compensation, facilitating the healing process for abuse survivors. Our skilled legal team has the necessary experience and offers unwavering support throughout the legal journey. We are committed to helping you secure the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve.

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Prevalence of Clergy Sex Abuse in Cambridge

Cambridge is just across the river from Boston, so it’s still part of the Archdiocese of Boston. While statistics on Cambridge alone are limited, some clergy abuse statistics from the city and nearby areas include:

The Archdiocese of Boston reports that between 1950 and 2004, there were 209 allegations of clergy sexual abuse; 173 were credible, 28 were unsubstantiated, and eight were withdrawn or false.
One priest, while working in a Catholic Church in Cambridge, abused more than 130 children over 68 years. [1]

Notable Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases and Accused Priests

There have been dozens of notable clergy abuse cases within the Archdiocese of Boston over the years. Some notable cases that specifically happened in Cambridge, Massachusetts, are:

Richard J. Butler: He was among the clergy members listed by attorney Garabedian in civil claims. He settled after allegedly sexually abusing a child while working in Cambridge.
John J. Geoghan: He was accused of raping and molesting at least 150 children. He was involuntarily laicized in 1998 and sentenced to nine to ten years in prison. He was murdered in prison in 2003.
James Randal Gillette: He was accused of sexually assaulting a boy at St. Gabriel’s in Brighton in 1972. Gillette pleaded guilty to “unnatural acts” with a child under age 16 occurring between 1972 and 1975. A personnel file released in 2003 by the Archdiocese of Boston contained a letter detailing these accusations. Gillette was convicted for his crimes.

Common Forms of Clergy Abuse

The most common forms of clergy abuse we see include:

Exposure: Purposely exposing oneself to a minor or making them expose themself.
Grooming: Building trust with a child and their family, making it easier to abuse them sexually.
Inappropriate Touching: Unwanted hugs, kisses, or fondling, usually disguised as an affectionate gesture.
Sexual Assault: Non-consensual sexual acts, sometimes with a high level of force, and can range from groping to rape.
Verbal Sexual Abuse: Making sexual comments or propositions to children within the congregation.
Exploitation: Abusing their position of authority to manipulate or coerce sexual favors from minors.

Common Signs of Clergy Abuse Among Children

Recognizing the signs of clergy abuse in children is crucial for early intervention and prevention of further sex abuse. As a parent or guardian, here are some key signs to watch for:

Anxiety and Fear: Especially around going to church or when mentioning a specific priest or clergy member.
Sudden Behavioral Changes: Regression to younger behaviors, aggression, or withdrawal from friends and family.
Change in Sleeping Patterns: Insomnia, bed-wetting, and having nightmares.
Unexplained Physical Signs: Bruises, bleeding, or pain anywhere on the body, particularly in private areas.
Changes Surrounding School: Decrease in school performance and interest in school activities.
Inappropriate Sexual Knowledge: Knowing too much about sex or sexual behaviors for their age.
Self-Harm or Suicidal Ideations: Extreme emotional distress where they might be harming or thinking about harming themself.

Eligibility to File a Clergy Sexual Abuse Claim

Filing a civil lawsuit is the best way to hold abusers accountable and receive financial compensation that can help with closure and healing. Those eligible to file a civil lawsuit include:

Parents or legal guardians of children who were victims of clergy sexual abuse can file on their kids’ behalf;
Adult victims of clergy sexual abuse or assault can file civil lawsuits;
Adult clergy abuse survivors who were sexually abused when they were minors.

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Liability in Clergy Abuse Cases

Understanding how liability works in clergy abuse cases is the key to not only getting justice but also the maximum compensation possible for what the survivor went through. In many cases, we can hold the individual perpetrator and the institution liable for clergy sexual abuse.

Individual liability means that clergy members can face civil and criminal charges. Civil lawsuits are where they’ll be required to pay for damages if found guilty.

Institutional liability is different. We can hold institutions liable for clergy abuse on specific grounds:

Failing to report the abuse to the authorities or investigating the allegations.
Vicarious liability, where they’re held liable even though they weren’t directly negligent.
Negligent hiring or supervising practices.

It’s essential to know what role the institution played to hold them liable, as we’ll need to connect their actions or inactions to the clergy abuse.

The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Lawsuit in Cambridge

Not everyone is immediately ready to come forward about their sexual abuse. Understanding the statute of limitations in Cambridge will allow survivors to know how long they have to file a civil lawsuit against their abuser.

In Massachusetts, victims of childhood sexual abuse, including clergy abuse, have 35 years from the age of 18 to file a lawsuit, effectively until they turn 53. Additionally, Massachusetts has a “discovery rule” that allows seven years from the “discovery” of abuse to file a claim.

This law applies if the victim repressed memories of the abuse or newly realizes a connection between past abuse and current issues. This discovery rule can extend the filing period beyond the standard 35-year limit.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Experienced Attorneys

Our attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have experience handling clergy abuse cases in Cambridge, the Archdiocese of Boston, and beyond, including:

Cases involving religious institutions outside of just the Catholic Church
Abuse by pastors, priests, and other religious leaders
Historical cases of abuse
Cases that involve institutional cover-ups or failure to protect children
Cases of clergy abuse that occur in St. Peter’s Parish and St. John the Evangelist Church

Steps to Take if You Are a Victim

If you suffered clergy sexual abuse in Cambridge, take these steps to ensure your well-being:

Get yourself somewhere safe and away from your abuser if you can;
Visit the hospital for a medical exam and rape kit, regardless of if you have any visible injuries;
Document dates, times, and locations of the clergy abuse;
Preserve evidence like clothing, bedding, or communications between you and the clergy member;
Seek support from loved ones and local resources like the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) or Pastoral Support Services at the Archdiocese of Boston;
Consult with experienced attorneys like those at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to learn your options and take action.

How Our Cambridge Clergy Abuse Lawyers Can Help

The attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have an extensive understanding of the law, which is necessary for these sensitive cases. We help survivors of clergy abuse by:

Offering a confidential and free consultation to share your story and hear your legal options;
Investigating your clergy sexual abuse claim to gather evidence;
Developing a legal strategy that suits your case;
Filing a civil lawsuit on your behalf;
Negotiating with the opposing counsel for the maximum settlement.
If negotiations fail, we’ll fight for your rights in the courtroom during the trial.

Consult our experienced attorneys

The Cost of Hiring a Cambridge Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorney

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of your compensation, with no upfront costs. This structure lets you focus on your well-being rather than worrying about legal expenses.

Compensation for Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

Survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Cambridge might be entitled to different types of compensation:

Medical expenses
Therapy costs
Emotional distress
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
Lost wages
Punitive damages

Several factors may affect your overall settlement, including:

The strength of the evidence we have against your abuser and institution
The severity and duration of the abuse
The long-term impact the clergy sex abuse has had on your life
The financial resources of liable parties

Contact a Cambridge Clergy Abuse Lawyer Today!

Jonathan Rosenfeld, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

No one should ever have to endure the trauma of sexual abuse by a clergy member. If this happens, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are here to provide compassionate support, offering a safe space to discuss your case, a free consultation, and unwavering protection of your rights throughout the legal process.

If you’re ready to fight for justice and seek compensation, contact us today for a confidential consultation at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our contact form.

Related Practice Areas

References: [1] AP News

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.