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‘Child Sex Abuse’ Category

The Catholic Church’s Efforts Fall Short in Addressing Clergy Sex Abuse

Changes to the statute of limitations in some states give sex abuse survivors new hope to secure justice. For many, this provides an opportunity to hold perpetrators and institutions responsible.

The Catholic Church’s Efforts Fall Short in Addressing Clergy Sex Abuse

Efforts by Pope Francis to address global clergy sex abuse in the Catholic Church have failed, according to victims and other advocates. In an article published by the National Catholic Reporter (NCR), plans unveiled at a summit of bishops in 2019 are no better at protecting abuse victims today than before. Many argue that a mandatory reporting law that emerged from the meeting remains cloaked...

For Clergy Sex Abuse Survivors, Path to Justice Can be Elusive

Priests and other religious leaders have used their positions of influence to avoid accountability for too long. That’s starting to change as brave victims demand justice.

For Clergy Sex Abuse Survivors, Path to Justice Can be Elusive

Survivors of clergy sex abuse find it nearly impossible to crawl out from under their painful memories. For some, like Charles Richardson, the trauma stretches back to 1970s Baltimore, where he was abused by a trusted Catholic priest, Rev. Henry Zerhusen. It’s a story that spans religions and denominations.

A Damaging Report

Richardson was not the first to be abused within the...

Los Angeles-area Schools Pay $1M-Plus to Resolve Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel Top Injury Settlements 2022

Los Angeles-area Schools Pay $1M-Plus to Resolve Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Two women who were sexually assaulted by their ninth-grade social studies teacher at a Los Angeles-area public middle school in 1974 have each obtained seven-figure monetary settlements thanks to litigation filed by trial lawyers at Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel.

According to the two lawsuits, the school district and school personnel ignored signs during the 1974-75 school year that...

Sex Traffickers Use Tech, the Internet to Lure, Exploit Victims

Sex traffickers are increasingly using technology and online exploitation on victims.

Sex Traffickers Use Tech, the Internet to Lure, Exploit Victims

Sex trafficking has increased rapidly in recent years in the U.S. and worldwide, thanks in large part to modern technology and the internet.

“Traffickers are quick to adapt their business model to suit their needs and increase their profits, so, of course, they follow online trends,” said Tiphanie Crittin, a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) justice officer at the...

Another Catholic Diocese Files Bankruptcy as Sex Abuse Lawsuits Mount

The Catholic Diocese of Sacramento

Another Catholic Diocese Files Bankruptcy as Sex Abuse Lawsuits Mount

The Catholic Diocese of Sacramento is the latest diocese to declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy following a wave of civil lawsuits filed by victims who were abused by clergy and other church employees dating back to the 1950s.

Facing more than 250 lawsuits, church officials in Sacramento said the bankruptcy declaration clears the way for legal settlements with victims.

“There are...

Sex Abuse Victims are Coming Forward and Making a Difference

Sex Abuse Victims are Coming Forward and Making a Difference

During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we salute victims of sexual abuse who are making a difference by bravely coming forward to demand justice.

Their bravery is making a difference. Recent research has documented a growing demand for schools to be held accountable for failing to protect students, along with a surge in large monetary awards and settlements against schools for...

Maryland Catholic Diocese Probe Reveals Staggering Sex Abuse

Maryland Catholic Diocese Sex Abuse Report

Maryland Catholic Diocese Probe Reveals Staggering Sex Abuse

A long-awaited report by Maryland’s attorney general has uncovered more than 600 children molested over 80 years by 150 Catholic priests and others connected to the Archdiocese of Baltimore, which spent decades covering up the crimes.

“The staggering pervasiveness of the abuse itself underscores the culpability of the Church hierarchy,” the report said. “The sheer...

Report Uncovers Widespread Child Sex Abuse in Baltimore Archdiocese

Baltimore Archdiocese Child Abuse

Report Uncovers Widespread Child Sex Abuse in Baltimore Archdiocese

Hundreds of children were sexually abused by more than 150 different Catholic priests associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore, according to an explosive investigative report recently made public.

More than 600 children were abused over a span of 80 years, although the report acknowledges the number of victims is likely much higher. The report also levels blame on church leadership...

Culver City School District Sex Assault Lawsuit Set for October Trial

Culver City School District Lawsuit

Culver City School District Sex Assault Lawsuit Set for October Trial

Lawsuit: Ninth-grade teacher groomed and sexually assaulted female students in 1974

CULVER CITY, Calif. — The Culver City Unified School District will go to trial October 23 in a lawsuit filed by a former student who alleges she and at least one other student were systematically groomed and sexually assaulted by a ninth-grade social studies teacher in 1974.

According to the...

San Diego Diocese Hid Assets from Sex Abuse Victims, Lawsuit Claims

San Diego Diocese Controversy

San Diego Diocese Hid Assets from Sex Abuse Victims, Lawsuit Claims

Across the country, the Catholic Church has faced staggering monetary judgments and settlements in litigation filed by victims of abuse at the hands of priests and church workers. The growing legal liabilities have driven some dioceses to file for bankruptcy after determining that their assets could not cover the mounting legal costs. However, one diocese is being accused of hiding assets to...

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