Clergy Abuse

Members of church congregations usually trust their priests, pastors, deacons and other members of the clergy. While that trust is usually well placed, there are times when that trust is established by the clergy for nefarious purposes.  Clergy members who are...

Religious institutions are often seen as sanctuaries, places that can offer safety, support and community. However, when they fail in this crucial responsibility, it can lead to serious consequences, especially in cases involving abuse. For survivors, understanding...

People who see headlines related to clergy abuse are often shocked to learn that this type of situation still happens. Many of the cases that are made public have to do with priests in the Catholic church, all of whom are males. Other cases have to do with priests and...

It is very common for those who have experienced clergy abuse to decide to sue the church. This can happen within many different religious traditions and denominations. People sometimes experience abuse when they are very young, and they start lawsuits as they grow up...

People often turn to churches and church leaders for support and assistance throughout regular life occurrences and during challenging events. For many people, the leaders of their church are trusted without question.  Unfortunately, there are times when that trust...

Unfortunately, clergy abuse remains a problem across the nation. In Louisiana, the authorities continue to aggressively investigate such abuse. Taking the courageous step to call out clergy abuse can be empowering and daunting at the same time. The journey requires...

When clergy abuse takes place, gaslighting may quickly follow. This is a type of manipulation typically used to make the victim question their own beliefs or perceptions. For example, gaslighting may be as simple as denying the behavior. Someone may claim they were...

In many claims involving clergy abuse, victims may keep the events secret for months, years or even decades. In some cases, one person coming forward inspires other victims to speak up, as they feel encouraged by hearing similar stories from someone else. But why does...

When clergy abuse comes to light, the alleged perpetrator may say that they were in a consensual relationship with the victim. This doesn’t apply in all cases, of course. Many clergy abuse cases involve minors, and there is no way for them to consent to a sexual...

It’s not often that state supreme courts reverse their own rulings. However, that’s what happened this summer. The Louisiana Supreme Court voted 5 to 2 to vacate a decision it handed down just months earlier involving adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. In...