Sexual abuse is terrible and even more harmful when it’s by clergy members you should have been able to trust. The impacts of clergy abuse last for a lifetime and affect communities throughout Columbia. If you have experienced sexual harassment from church leaders, you need the help of a personal injury lawyer.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers offers unwavering support to survivors of adult or childhood sexual abuse in Columbia and beyond, helping them pursue justice and compensation.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers stands out as a tireless advocate for survivors of clergy sexual abuse. Our team combines expertise, compassion, and determination to pursue maximum compensation for both adult and child victims.

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

We are committed to delivering justice and supporting the healing process by aggressively seeking fair compensation while relentlessly pursuing accountability from abusers and institutions. Our unwavering support accompanies survivors at every stage of their legal journey, ensuring they never face this challenge alone.

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Prevalence of Roman Catholic Church Abuse in Columbia, MD

Columbia falls within the Archdiocese of Baltimore, which provides more comprehensive clergy abuse statistics:

St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church is one of many institutions implicated in the clergy abuse scandal.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore has stated that over 150 clergy members have been accused of sexual abuse dating back to the 1940s. [1]

Notable Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases and Accused Priests

Columbia, Maryland, falls within the Archdiocese of Baltimore, which has seen numerous notable clergy abuse cases. Some significant examples include:

Charles O. Rouse: In 1995, he admitted to sexually abusing two boys in 1981. In 2002, a man came forward about sexual abuse by Rouse in 1968-1972. In 2014, another man came forward about sexual abuse in 1985-1989.
Dennis A. Pecore: He was convicted of sexual assault in 1987 and settled. He was then convicted of molesting a second boy between 1989-1992 when he was working at an elderly care center. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and probation.

Common Forms of Clergy Sex Abuse

Sexual abuse by church authorities can manifest in different ways, with the most common forms being:

Grooming: Taking the time to build trust with a victim’s family to make child sexual abuse easier.
Exposure: Exposing oneself to a minor or manipulating the minor into exposing themself.
Exploitation: Using their position of power to coerce sexual favors from congregation members.
Inappropriate Touching: Unwanted touching like kissing, hugging, or fondling.
Sexual Assault: Non-consensual sexual acts ranging from sexual touching to rape.
Sexual Verbal Abuse: Making sexual comments or jokes of a sexual nature.

The Profile of Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

Clergy sexual abuse can happen to anyone within a religious institution, but there is a profile that typically fits most clergy abuse cases:

Young children, usually between 10 and 14, even though they can be any age.
Boys tend to face child sexual abuse within a church more than girls.
Those from a single-family household or looking for parental guidance.
Children with a strong trust in religious institutions and authority figures.

Every victim of childhood sexual abuse will suffer in different ways. That being said, there are commonalities among survivors. Many experience consequences and injuries such as:

Emotional trauma such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Substance abuse issues
Crisis of faith or spiritual connection
Increased risk of self-harm or suicide
Difficulty forming healthy relationships
Academic or professional setbacks
Sexual dysfunction in adulthood

Common Signs of Clergy Abuse Among Child Victims

Identifying signs of clergy abuse in children is crucial for intervention and preventing harm to other potential victims. Some common signs of clergy abuse to look out for include:

Decline in academic performance.
Abrupt behavioral changes like regression to younger behaviors, withdrawal from loved ones, or aggressive behaviors.
Inappropriate amount of sexual knowledge for their age.
Fear and anxiety, especially surrounding religion or a specific clergy member.
Issues surrounding sleeping like nightmares, insomnia, or bed wetting.
Unexplained physical symptoms like bleeding, bruising, or pain in private areas.

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Eligibility to File a Clergy Sexual Abuse Claim

Civil lawsuits are a great way to seek justice. Certain groups of people are eligible to file one:

Child victims with their parents or guardians acting on their behalf
Adult victims of sexual assault or abuse
Adult survivors whose abuse occurred when they were children

Liability in Clergy Abuse Cases

A key component when seeking justice and financial compensation is to establish liability. We can hold the individual perpetrator liable by filing a civil lawsuit, separate from any criminal charges they might face. In institutional liability, we can sometimes hold institutions liable for:

Failing to report or investigate the allegations.
Negligent hiring, supervising, or retention practices.
Vicarious liability, where the institution is responsible for the actions of its employees.

To hold an institution responsible, we must demonstrate a clear link between its actions (or inactions) and the abuse.

The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Columbia

If you’re going to file a civil lawsuit against Catholic priests or other religious leaders for sexual abuse, the statute of limitations is important. Those sexually abused as adults have three years from the date of the last incident or its discovery to file a lawsuit.

For childhood sexual abuse survivors, there is no statute of limitations in Maryland anymore, thanks to the Maryland Child Victims Act.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Columbia Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has experience handling sexual abuse cases throughout Columbia and other dioceses in Maryland. The types of cases that we can handle are:

Cases where the Catholic Church or other institutions covered up abuse.
Abuse perpetrated by pastors, Catholic priests, and other religious leaders.
Historic cases of sexual abuse.
Cases of abuse within different religious institutions
Cases at specific Columbia institutions like St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church.

Steps to Take if You Are a Victim

Whether you’ve been sexually assaulted or abused within the Catholic Church or at other religious institutions, these are some steps you should consider taking:

If you’re in immediate danger, get yourself somewhere safe and away from your abuser.
Seek medical attention even if you don’t have visible injuries.
Document everything you can to support your claim.
Preserve your clothes or any other evidence that will strengthen your claim.
Seek support from loved ones or through the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA).
Consider speaking with a personal injury lawyer who has experience with sexual abuse claims.

Take legal action today

How Our Columbia Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

As your trusted sexual abuse lawyers in Columbia, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are committed to helping you get justice and financial compensation. We can help you throughout the legal process by:

Creating a safe place for your free consultation so you can share your story and hear your legal options.
Investigating your claim thoroughly and gathering evidence to build a strong case.
Filing a lawsuit against all the liable parties.
Negotiating with opposing counsel to come to a fair settlement.
Representing you in court if we can’t settle outside the courtroom.

The Cost of Hiring a Columbia Clergy Abuse Attorney

Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis. All legal fees are paid if, and only if, we reach a settlement in your case.

Compensation for Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

Victims of adult or child sexual abuse might be entitled to compensation. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has experienced securing high settlements for our clients. Some types of compensation you might be entitled to include:

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

Every clergy sex abuse lawsuit is different, so the overall settlement will vary based on:

The strength of the evidence presented
The overall impact on the survivor’s life
The severity and duration of the abuse
The financial resources of the institution involved

Contact a Columbia Clergy Abuse Attorney Today!

Jonathan Rosenfeld, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is committed to fighting civil clergy abuse cases and securing the maximum compensation possible for survivors. If you or a loved one have been sexually abused or assaulted by a clergy member in Baltimore, you’re not alone. We handle all our cases with compassion and will be there for you every step of the way.

Call (888) 424-5757 or fill out our online form.

Related Practice Areas

Resources: [1] Bishop Accountability

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.