Clergy Abuse Lawyer Springdale AR | Injury Lawyer Team

Clergy sexual abuse leaves deep psychological scars, while perpetrators and enablers often continue their lives unharmed. There have been several known cases of abuse in Springdale, leaving survivors and their families to deal with the consequences.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we support survivors of sexual abuse in their efforts to pursue justice and compensation for the harm they have endured.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team

Over the years, Injury Lawyer Team have recovered millions in settlements for clients who endured sexual abuse. Our goal is to help victims secure the financial compensation they deserve and find closure to aid in their emotional recovery. Our clergy sexual abuse lawyers are experienced, compassionate, and understand the energy it takes to hold abusers liable.

$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 also recognize that sexual predators rarely act alone — many religious institutions remain silent, enabling the abuse. That’s why we seek accountability from both the abuser and any institution that looked the other way, demanding justice for all involved. By holding individuals and institutions responsible, we aim to stop these harmful cycles and prevent future abuse.

Prevalence of Clergy Sex Abuse in Springdale

While the prevalence of clergy child sexual abuse in Wahington County is unknown, previous cases show it has happened before and requires more focus.

In addition to clergy abuse, Springdale saw the case of Christian activist and reality TV figure Josh Duggar, who is now serving time for possession of child pornography, showing that the community, like all others, is susceptible to sexual predation [1].

At the same time, Ronnie Floyd, the former senior pastor at Cross Church in Springdale and the former leader of the SBC, resigned from his position in 2021 after a rift related to the way the SBC handled abuse allegations [2].

Catholic Church sexual abuse cases have also been reported, and the Diocese of Little Rock published a list of accused priests in Arkansas [3].

Notable Church Sexual Abuse Cases and Accused Priests in Springdale

Most clergy abuse is never reported, but there have been a few well-known cases in Springdale. These are the names of the perpetrators:

• Timothy Lee Reddin – Timothy Lee Reddin was a pastor at Turner Street Baptist Church in Springdale. In 2000, he was convicted of possession of child pornography materials and sentenced to 27 months in prison. In 2019, he was convicted again, this time for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. He is currently serving a 10-year sentence in federal prison without the possibility of parole [4].
• Joseph Correnti – Joseph Correnti served in several churches in Arkansas, including St. Raphael in Springdale, from 1996 to 2001. There have been multiple credible allegations against him, with at least six victims. He died of suicide in 2002 [3].

Common Forms of Clergy Sexual Misconduct

.Clergy sexual abuse involves any sexual act committed by religious leaders against the will of another person or against a person who cannot consent, such as a minor or a mentally disabled person. It may include:

• Sexual harassment – Verbal or non-verbal actions such as inappropriate comments, gestures, unwanted advances, and deliberately invading someone’s personal space. This can create a hostile or uncomfortable environment for the victim.
• Use of sexualized materials – Involves the display, sharing, or sending of explicit content, including images, videos, or messages, without consent. This form of abuse can occur through digital means or in person.
• Sexual exploitation – Occurs when an individual in a position of power uses their authority to manipulate or coerce someone into engaging in sexual activity. The victim may feel pressure or fear of repercussions if they do not comply.
• Grooming – Grooming is a manipulative process in which the abuser builds emotional dependence and trust in the victim. Over time, the victim may be isolated and made to feel responsible for the situation, which prevents them from seeking help or exposing the abuse. Grooming also includes gaining the trust of the adults around the child.
• Sexual assault – Refers to any sexual contact, including unwanted sexual touching, kissing, or groping. This also extends to rape, which is defined as any form of non-consensual sexual intercourse. This category includes both statutory rape (involving minors) and attempted rape.

The Profile of Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

Clergy sexual abuse survivors can be people of any age, gender, and background. However, in most cases, they are children or vulnerable individuals in some sort of distress. They often belong to highly religious communities where people will likely trust clergy members.

Since the abuser is usually a respected figure, the abuse often goes unnoticed or even negated, retraumatizing the survivor. Survivors can experience a wide range of emotional, psychological, and physical injuries, including:

• Emotional trauma – Feelings of shame, guilt, and confusion can linger for years. Many victims struggle with trust issues and experience intense emotional pain.
• Mental health issues – Victims may suffer from depression, anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, PTSD, and unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance abuse.
• Physical injuries – Survivors may have physical consequences, including pain, bruising, and other trauma. In addition, the stress of the abuse can lead to health issues later in life.
• Spiritual confusion – Many victims lose faith or experience a deep sense of betrayal, making it difficult to engage in any form of spiritual practice.
• Impact on relationships – Forming relationships and developing intimacy and trust can be excruciatingly difficult for people who have suffered abuse.
• Academic and professional challenges – Abuse can lead to difficulties in school or work, with victims facing concentration issues, academic decline, or a lack of motivation.

Common Signs of Clergy Child Abuse

Children who are sexually abused often struggle to speak out about the abuse, but there are usually signs that something is wrong. If you notice these signs, it’s crucial to react and protect the child:

• Sudden changes in behavior – The child may become unusually withdrawn, anxious, angry, or aggressive in ways that are out of character for them.
• Fear of certain adults – Unexplained fear or discomfort around specific clergy members, church volunteers, or educators.
• Regression – A child might revert to younger behaviors, such as bedwetting, thumb-sucking, or needing extra comfort and reassurance.
• Avoidance of religious activities – Reluctance or refusal to attend church or participate in religious events.
• Sexualized behavior – Knowledge or behaviors that are not age-appropriate, especially if they involve inappropriate or harmful use of sexual body parts or appear with strong emotional reactions.
• Sleep problems – Frequent nightmares, insomnia, or bedwetting are all common responses to trauma.
• Unexplained physical injuries – Bruises, injuries, or pain, especially in private areas.
• Drop in academic performance –The child loses interest in school activities, or their grades drop suddenly.

Eligibility to File a Civil Claim for Clergy Sexual Abuse

Civil lawsuits are usually filed by:

• Children who are sexual abuse survivors and their parents
• Adult victims of sexual assault
• Adult survivors who were sexually abused as minors

Liability in Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases

In child sexual abuse lawsuits, it is possible to hold both the individual and the institution liable.

The individual can face:

• Criminal charges – The criminal charge is not part of the civil lawsuit and requires a criminal attorney, not a civil one. It aims to punish the abuser and protect other victims with prison time, a fine, or being placed on a sexual offender registry.
• Civil liability – At Injury Lawyer Team, we file personal injury lawsuits, helping survivors seek compensation and achieve justice by holding the abuser and the instituiton accountable.

An experienced attorney can also hold accountable the institution that enabled the abuse or caused secondary trauma through its mishandling of the allegation. The key to this is showing the religious organization or diocese played a role in the abuse through its actions or the lack of them.

Several legal theories make up the foundation of institutional liability, including:

• Negligent hiring – If the church fails to conduct a background check or vet the clergy member properly, it can be held liable for contributing to the abuse.
• Negligent supervision – The institution can be held accountable for the abuse if it knew or should have known about a clergy member’s potential for abuse and failed to monitor or control their actions.
• Failure to report abuse – Unfortunately, religious organizations sometimes fail to report abuse, covering it up, ignoring it, and sometimes even treating the victim poorly. If this is the case, the institution may be liable for the harm you suffered.
• Vicarious liability – When abuse occurs in the course of the clergy member’s official duties or within the scope of their employment, the institution can be held responsible through vicarious liability.

The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Civil Lawsuit in Springdale

Survivors of sexual abuse can now file a claim against the abuser and the organization that enabled the abuse, even if it happened decades ago. A few years ago, the Arkansas legislature eliminated the statute of limitations (i.e., time limits) for child sexual abuse, as the system realized many victims gather the strength to speak up only later in life.

This helped alleviate the injustice many survivors suffered due to the old statute of limitations.

In addition, those whose claims had expired due to the old rules have until January 31, 2026, to bring suit against their abuser.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Springdale Clergy Sexual Assault Lawyers

Our Springdale clergy abuse lawyers specialize in dealing with cases of abuse by priests, pastors, and other religious leaders. We emphasize that our law firm is here to support all survivors, regardless of the religious institution:

• Catholic Church – The Diocese of Little Rock oversees Springdale, and it has published a list of known abusers, some of them from Springdale.
• Protestant churches – Protestant pastors have also harmed vulnerable individuals and children in Springdale, while their religious organizations often mishandled abuse allegations.
• Other religious institutions – If you have suffered abuse in a non-Christian institution or community, you can also rely on our legal team to defend your rights.
• Educational institutions – We provide legal assistance to victims of sexual abuse in educational institutions affiliated with religious organizations.

Steps to Take if You Are a Victim of Sexual Abuse

If you’ve endured clergy sexual abuse, you should also know that you are not alone, and there is a community of people ready to support you. Aside from your circle of family and friends, there are local resources in Springdale and Arkansas that you can rely on, such as the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the NWA Center for Sexual Assault (available 24/7).

There are also steps you can take to help yourself after a traumatic event:

• Ensure safety and well-being – Getting away from the abuser is the first step. Get to safety, call a friend or a family member for support. If in immediate danger, call 911. Do not change anything about your appearance, and resist the urge to shower.
• Seek medical treatment – Seeking treatment may also help you document any injuries. You can also tell medical personnel that you wish to report the crime.
• Document the abuse – Document any details you can remember, such as location, timelines, and any communication with the abuser. Keep any physical evidence, like clothing. Do not share details about your case publicly to protect your case.
• Seek legal help – Contact a sexual abuse lawyer from Injury Lawyer Team, and we will help you understand your legal rights.

How Our Springdale Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

At Injury Lawyer Team, we have experienced sexual abuse lawyers who will handle your case with personalized attention, compassion, and understanding. We focus on legal matters so you don’t waste your time and energy on anything but your recovery. This is what we can do for you:

• Free, confidential consultation – We’ll review your case and explain your legal rights during a free and confidential consultation, providing a safe space for you to discuss what happened.
• Investigation – We’ll work alongside you to gather evidence, including medical records, communications with the abuser, and witness statements. Our team collaborates with experts, like psychologists and investigators, to build a strong case on your behalf.
• Claim filing – We’ll file a claim against the clergy member or institution to seek compensation for the harm you or your loved one have endured.
• Help with legal procedures – We’ll handle all legal tasks, from paperwork to managing deadlines.
• Negotiating the settlement – We negotiate the settlement outside of court first. If it’s not sufficient, we are ready to take it to court.
• Court representation – We will represent you and advocate for your rights in court.

The Cost of Hiring a Springdale Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorney

Sex crime survivors deserve justice and financial compensation to support their healing journey. As personal injury lawyers, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t owe us anything unless we win your case.

If we succeed, our fee is a pre-agreed percentage of the compensation you receive. We want to ensure our clients receive the support and justice they deserve without financial stress.

Compensation for Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

Our Springdale church sexual abuse lawyer can you recover compensation for emotional, physical, and sometimes financial harm. This includes:

• Economic damages – We ensure you receive compensation for medical expenses, therapy costs, and lost wages if the abuse affected your ability to work.
• Non-economic damages – This includes emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and consequences such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
• Punitive damages – In particularly severe cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish both the abuser and the institution for their negligence or wrongdoing, and deter others from doing the same in the future.

Each case is different and the compensation amount hinges on several factor:

• The severity of the abuse
• Abuse duration
• The age of the victim
• Evidence of institutional negligence

We have a deep understanding of cases involving clergy abuse, ensuring you have the support you need throughout the legal process. Establishing a strong attorney-client relationship is vital to building your case, and we are committed to advocating for your rights and pursuing justice on your behalf.

Complete our online form or call us at (888) 424-5757.

Related Practice Areas

• Arkansas Catholic Diocese Priest Abuse List
• Arkansas Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Fayetteville Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Fort Smith Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Jonesboro Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Little Rock Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Resources: [1] USA Today; [2] NPR; [3] Little Rock Diocese; [4] 4029 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.