Phoenix Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Helping Victims of Sexual Abuse Pursue Justice

The impacts of sexual abuse never truly end. Both adult and child sexual abuse survivors feel the adverse effects of the abuse they have suffered for decades. While nothing can erase the abuse, seeking justice can help survivors find closure and recover some of the financial costs associated with long-term abuse recovery. A Phoenix clergy abuse lawyer can help you get compensation.

Injury Lawyer Team is committed to supporting victims who are seeking legal recourse for clergy abuse in Phoenix, Arizona. Our attorneys will fight with you. We’ll investigate your case to see if there’s a cover-up. However, certain laws may mean that you only have a limited time to fight for justice.

At Injury Lawyer Team, attorneys are dedicated to obtaining justice and fair compensation for those who other religious leaders in Phoenix have sexually abused. Our experienced legal team has a strong record of handling sensitive Arizona clergy abuse cases and achieving substantial settlements and verdicts.

Attorneys thoroughly investigate each case to ensure all aspects, including emotional trauma and other damages, are fully addressed. Our deep expertise in Arizona law allows us to navigate these complex cases effectively and fight for your rights.

Settlements Recovered by Our Phoenix Clergy Abuse Lawyers

$2,475,000 Settlement for a victim of a sex crime perpetrated by a volunteer at a Catholic Church on the West Coast.
$1,500,000 Recovery for a 55-year-old man against a deceased priest.
$1,101,000 Settlement for a woman who was sexually assaulted by a janitor at a Catholic School as a minor.
$3,000,000 Settlement for a man who was hurt as a minor. This case was settled during litigation, despite the church’s repeated attempts to dismiss it on the grounds of an expired statute of limitations.

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Understanding Clergy Sexual Abuse

Clergy sexual abuse is any kind of sexual abuse committed by a member of the clergy acting in their role within a religious institution. This definition includes child sexual abuse by a clergy member as well as that of adults.

How Common is Clergy Sexual Assault in Phoenix?

Cases of sexual abuse by clergy members in Phoenix are unfortunately common.

The Phoenix diocese has more than 38 accused members, many of whom hurt multiple victims over decades of service in the church. The Diocese of Tucson has more than 50 credibly accused officials, many of whom served within Phoenix.

Due to restrictions on accessing records from religious institutions, many incidents go unreported, especially within the Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in Phoenix.

Some notable priests accused of sex crimes in Phoenix include:

Joseph Briceno: Accused of sexual misconduct with 2 minors. Arrested and convicted in 2006, pleading guilty and having to register as a sex offender.
Dale Fushek: Accused of sex crimes with multiple minors. Charged criminally and sued, resulting in a settlement of $100,000.
John Maurice Giandelone: Sexually molested multiple minors. Charged and convicted on two separate counts, serving jail time and probation for both, and sued in civil court twice, resulting in undisclosed settlements.

Consult a Phoenix clergy sexual abuse lawyer

What are the Common Forms of Catholic Church Clergy Abuse?

Touching: Members touching victims inappropriately over or under clothing or forcing victims to touch themselves or the other person.
Sexual conversations: Asking inappropriate questions, making suggestive remarks, telling raunchy jokes, steering conversations towards sex, making advances, etc.
Undressing: People undressing victims or themselves in the presence of victims.
Non-consensual sex acts: Sex acts performed without consent are sexual assault, no matter what act is performed. Minors are never able to consent.
Inappropriate image or video capture: Taking sexual or inappropriate pictures or videos without consent.
Accessing pornography: Clergy members watching pornography with minors or providing pornographic materials inappropriately.

Any sexual conduct with a minor is considered child sexual abuse because minors are not able to consent.

What is the Profile of Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims?

Victims of clergy sexual abuse tend to be young boys aged 11-17 when it begins. Adult women are the second most common victims of priest abuse.

The impacts of sexual abuse are devastating to survivors. They may exhibit signs like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and flashbacks. Victims may feel a deep sense of shame or guilt, and they may have difficulty trusting authority figures.

What are Common Signs of Abuse Among Child Sex Abuse Survivors?

Because young people are the most at risk, it’s wise to look out for the signs of child abuse in your loved ones.

Physical signs can include bleeding, bruising, itching, swelling, or pain around the genital area, persistent yeast infections or UTIs, damaged or bloody undergarments, unwanted pregnancy, and pain when sitting or walking.

Behavioral signs often manifest as withdrawing from physical contact, depression, suicidal thoughts, nightmares, bedwetting, running away, self-harm, or struggles at school, such as poor performance and attendance.

Other indicators may include changes in hygiene habits—either refusing to bathe or excessive showering—along with new phobias, a return to behaviors like thumb-sucking, and becoming overly protective of younger siblings.

Eligibility for Filing Clergy Sexual Abuse Claims

Civil cases for sexual abuse can be filed by those directly impacted by the incident or those responsible for a minor victim. Child victims or their parents/legal guardians can file, as well as adult victims or adults who have suffered childhood sexual abuse.

Sexual abusers—such as religious leaders and priests—are often liable for criminal charges as well as civil lawsuits. Clergy members are individually liable for their actions, but the religious organization they work for may also be liable. A legal concept called vicarious liability can hold them accountable for the actions of their religious organizations.

To prove vicarious liability, a connection must be shown between the actions of the institution and the abuse that occurred. In the case of the Catholic diocese, this link is often due to it being covered up or ignored, or when they are hired despite a history of sex crimes.

Demonstrating this link is crucial to establishing that an institution is liable. These cases have been successful in Phoenix before, with many accused priests being linked to the Diocese of Phoenix in a civil lawsuit.

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Types of Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases We Handle

Injury Lawyer Team can help you bring your case against the Catholic church, Protestant churches, LDS churches, or any other religious institutions involved in sexual abuse. Any clerical member, including priests and religious leaders, can be involved in these crimes. We’re ready to assist you in bringing the responsible parties to justice in civil court.

We bring sexual assault cases against the Diocese of Tucson and the Diocese of Phoenix when the incident takes place in a Catholic institution, as well as other institutions or churches, anywhere in the Phoenix, Arizona area, to fight for you.

Statute of Limitations to Seek Justice in Phoenix, AZ

The statute of limitations for filing a civil lawsuit in a sexual abuse case is two years for adults who suffered abuse. Changes to the law in 2020 allow anyone who has experienced childhood sexual abuse to file a lawsuit until their 30th birthday.

Steps to Take if You or a Loved One Has Been Sexually Abused

People need to prioritize health and safety first. When in a safe place, contact a local support organization through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE. Through this organization, you can connect with local support resources for people in Phoenix, Arizona.

One resource to ask for is a local health clinic near you that can provide an urgent medical evaluation to document any physical evidence of sexual assault. This evidence, as well as any communications with the perpetrator, witness testimonies, and details of the crime, will all be instrumental in building your case.

Contact a firm with expert clergy sexual abuse attorneys who have experience guiding victims through the legal process. Our Phoenix sexual abuse attorneys can help you build the strongest sexual assault case possible, taking each step with confidence and compassion. We’ll make sure you’re prepared for legal action.

How Our Phoenix Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorneys Can Help With the Legal Process

When you contact Injury Lawyer Team, we’ll conduct a free, confidential, and in-depth case evaluation. From here, a sexual abuse lawyer will advise you on the legal options to pursue justice and build a strong case so all liable parties are held accountable. We’ll work with victims of sexual assault to determine how much medical bills cost, look at lost income, interview witnesses, and hold organizations accountable.

Our team will conduct a thorough investigation to find all the available evidence in your case. We’ll work with you to demonstrate that you have a strong claim for compensation due to the harm caused and to bring a lawsuit against the offending organization. Whether the case is settled outside of court or resolved by a judgment after trial, we keep your best interests in mind and hold churches liable.

The Cost of Hiring Our Phoenix Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis in civil compensation cases. This means we don’t charge you anything throughout the case and only receive payment if we help you win it and recover compensation.

Compensation Awarded to Survivors of Sexual Abuse

In civil cases, clergy abuse victims can seek compensation for a variety of expenses and damages. Medical expenses and psychological care services can be compensated, as well as payment for emotional distress caused by the abuse. If the case goes to trial, punitive damages may also be awarded.

Compensation in sexual abuse cases often varies based on the age of the victim, the type of abuse, the damage caused by the abuse, the length of time the abuse happened, and other specifics of the case, such as whether the Phoenix diocese or an individual is responsible.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of clergy abuse in Phoenix, now is the time to seek justice and hold the abuser accountable. Our experienced Phoenix clergy abuse attorneys are here to provide the legal support you need, guiding you through every step forward toward healing and recovery. We are committed to helping you pursue the best course of action to ensure your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Call us at (888) 424-5757 or fill in our contact form

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.