Pennsylvania churchgoers have come forward with credible allegations claiming sexual abuse from many of the state’s Catholic priests. Children in Reading, Pennsylvania, have experienced decades of abuse and trauma in the Catholic dioceses as well as other religious institutions.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to hold abusive priests accountable, help survivors access the resources they need to heal, and serve justice.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has the expertise that victims need to navigate the state’s legal system and secure maximum compensation. Our team of dedicated, compassionate lawyers is here to help, offering a sensitive yet professional approach.

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

Through civil litigation, our team can help connect victims with the resources they need to move on from the trauma of sexual abuse. We’re here to offer support and guidance each step of the way.

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Prevalence of Clergy Sex Abuse in Reading

Abusers in the church may be more prevalent than you know. Here are a few clergy abuse statistics about Reading, Pennsylvania:

Each year, Berks County receives over 5,000 reports of child abuse or neglect (This includes abuse victims of various perpetrators) [1].
The Grand Jury Report names various Reading, Pennsylvania, Catholic Schools and parishes, including Reading Central Catholic High School and St. Paul Parish [2].
More than 300 Catholic Church priests have been named as sexual abusers throughout Pennsylvania, including 35 from the Diocese of Allentown [3].
The report included Catholic Church leaders from six Pennsylvania parishes, including the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown, which covers Berks County [4].

Notable Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases and Accused Priests in Reading

Numerous priests have been named as abusers while serving in Reading, Pennsylvania, including the following:

Ann Marie Paul: Paul was accused of grooming and sexually abusing a Reading Central High School student. However, no charges were filed.
Joseph A. Zmijewski: Zmijewski was accused of sexually abusing a young woman in 1950 when she was a student at St. Peters in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Gabriel M Patil: Patil settled a case outside of court involving the sexual abuse of an eight-year-old altar boy.
Joseph A. Rock: Rock settled a claim outside of court involving the sexual abuse of two elderly residents and minors. These abuses occurred from 1979-1981 but weren’t listed until the 2018 Jury Report.

Common Forms of Sexual Misconduct Perpetrated by Clergy Members

Clergy sexual abuse may include any of the following:

Non-Consensual Sexual Activity: This includes non-consensual sexual activity or any sexual interaction with a minor.
Inappropriate Text Messages: Inappropriate text messages, emails, or letters may be considered sexual misconduct.
Inappropriate Photographs: Sexual photographs or pornography are regarded as sexual misconduct.
Sexual Harassment: This includes verbal, physical, or other offensive behaviors.
Indecent Exposure: This involves showing sexual parts in a public place.

Common Signs of Clergy Abuse Among Children

Sexual abuse victims may show the following signs:

Self-harm
Sleep disruptions
Sexual expressions during playtime, drawings, or songs
Anger or irritability
Bedwetting
Mood changes
Unexplained fears
Avoidance of their priest or other abusers

Eligibility to File a Clergy Abuse Lawsuit

If you were the victim of clergy sexual abuse in Reading, Pennslyvania, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Parents can file a lawsuit against the perpetrator on behalf of their minor child. An adult victim may also seek compensation after being sexually abused.

Adult survivors who were sexually abused as minors may be eligible to file a claim, but doing so depends on the case’s details.

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Liability in Clergy Abuse Cases

Childhood sexual abuse claims may be against an individual party, such as religious leaders, church officials, or Catholic priests.

Child sexual abuse survivors may also file a claim against the institution under vicarious liability. When child sexual abuse occurs in the church as a result of poor hiring, a lack of supervision, or a failure to report abuse, the Catholic Church institution itself may be financially liable.

Taking legal action against religious organizations requires a clear connection between the abuse and the negligence of the church leadership.

The Statute of Limitations for Civil Lawsuits in Reading

Sexual abuse victims have a short period to come forward and file a civil lawsuit, also known as the statute of limitations. Currently, Pennsylvania law allows adult sexual abuse survivors up to two years from the date of the abuse to file a claim.

However, in an attempt to better protect survivors of clergy abuse, new legislation extends this time limit for survivors of child sexual abuse.

Time limits to file a claim against clergy members depend on your age at the time of the abuse. Child abuse victims will have up until their 55th birthday to file a claim. Young adults between 18-23 will have until their 30th birthday to file a claim. However, this new law only applies to cases of abuse after January 1, 2019.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Reading Clergy Abuse Lawyers

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers handles clergy abuse cases of all types, including those against priests, pastors, and other religious leaders.

Our experienced attorneys can also seek compensation from different religious institutions, including Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, or Episcopal. We handle cases involving clergy sexual abuse from the Philadelphia Archdiocese, the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, the Diocese of Erie, and any other religious organization.

Steps to Take if You Are a Victim

Survivors of clergy sexual abuse should take the following steps:

Seek help and report the sexual abuse
Collect available evidence, including any documentation of cover-ups
Consider seeking justice through civil action
Seek Support through resources like the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) or Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA)
Contact our law firm toll-free

How Our Reading Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers helps clergy sexual abuse victims seek justice. If you are a victim, consider contacting our law firm to explore your legal options. A free initial consultation and case evaluation allow us to learn more about you.

Our law firm will conduct a thorough investigation and begin collecting evidence. Then, we’ll file your case in the appropriate Pennsylvania court. Filing a lawsuit can lead to a settlement offer. However, if you don’t receive a fair settlement offer, our team is ready to explore other legal options, including trial.

The Cost of Hiring a Reading Clergy Abuse Attorney

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is dedicated to helping clergy sexual abuse survivors. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis, which means victims never pay anything unless our team wins your case.

Compensation for Clergy Abuse Survivors

We file claims to help seek justice and recover compensation for the victims of clergy sexual abuse. Many survivors can benefit from compensation covering medical expenses, emotional distress, punitive damages, trauma counseling, and other costs.

How much you can recover in a clergy abuse case depends on factors such as when the sexual assault occurred, whether it’s still within the state’s statute of limitations, and how much evidence is available.

Contact Our Reading Clergy Abuse Attorneys Today!

Jonathan Rosenfeld, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been a victim of sexual abuse by a clergy member in Reading, it’s important to know your rights and seek justice. You deserve legal counsel that can help hold those responsible accountable and recover compensation for pain and suffering. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to provide the experienced legal representation you need, guiding you through the legal process and fighting to secure the justice and compensation you deserve.

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

Related Practice Areas

Resources: [1] Berks County, [2] York Daily Record, [3] Lehigh Valley Live, [4] Diocese of Allentown

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.