Those who suffer abuse at the hands of clergy members may try to address the matter privately. A child targeted by one member of the clergy at a church their family attends may have reported what occurred to someone else at the church. Their goal may have been to end the abuse or seek justice.
Unfortunately, numerous religious institutions implicated in child sexual abuse scandals covered up abuse instead of reporting and addressing it. In scenarios where another member of the clergy failed to report complaints of sexual abuse, their misconduct could pave the way for legal action.
Clergy members are mandatory reporters
State statutes require that professionals in positions of authority over or who provide access to children report any clear signs of abuse, including claims of abuse made by minor children. The failure to take appropriate action as a mandatory reporter puts them at risk of career consequences. They also open themselves and their employer up to both criminal prosecution and civil litigation.
Because clergy members are mandatory reporters, if someone alleging clergy abuse tried to handle the matter internally with another clergy member, only to have their concerns go unreported, the violation of state law could provide the basis for a civil lawsuit.
Clergy abuse lawsuits can help survivors seek financial compensation for the economic consequences generated by prior abuse and the failure of religious organizations to respond appropriately. Reviewing a history of clergy abuse with a legal professional who specializes in these complex cases can help families pursue justice. Mandatory reporters who failed to take action may have broken the law.