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Seattle Religious Organizations Lawyers
Fierce representation when religious organizations fail to prevent sexual abuse
Children and adults of all faiths place their trust in their religious leaders. Religious organizations are supposed to provide spiritual guidance. They’re not supposed to destroy the trust of their congregants by taking advantage of them sexually. At Smith McBroom, our sexual abuse lawyers hold religious organizations liable when they fail to protect congregants from sexual harm by the religious leaders the organizations employ. Our Seattle religious organization lawyers have the experience and professional relationships to hold sexual abusers and the religious organizations who should have stopped the abuse accountable. We demand compensation for your physical injuries and your psychological trauma.
How can we help?
- What is religious sexual abuse?
- What are the different types of sexual abuse by religious leaders in Seattle?
- How harmful is religious sexual abuse?
- What are the signs my child is being sexually abused by a religious leader in Seattle?
- Who do your Seattle religious organization lawyers represent?
- Who is responsible for sexual abuse by a clergy leader?
- How do your Seattle religious organization lawyers advocate for victims of sexual abuse?
- Do you have a Seattle religious organization lawyer near me?
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What is religious sexual abuse?
Sexual abuse by religious leaders involves many different religions. Some of the religions that have received the most press coverage include the Catholic Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the Church of Scientology. Sexual abuse is not confined to these religions, however. Rabbis, imams, non-denominational pastors, and other religious leaders can use their influence and position of trust to take advantage of children and adults too.
Sexual abuse by religious leaders can occur in an office, a classroom, on any part of the grounds of the church (or other religious building), and away from the church too.
Most cases of child abuse involve children though adults can be sexually abused too.
Recently, the Attorney General of Washington announced that his office “is taking the Archdiocese of Seattle to court over records he said the church is refusing to give up in an investigation of its handling of child sex abuse allegations.
What are the different types of sexual abuse by religious leaders in Seattle?
WAC 504-26-221 provides numerous definitions of sexual misconduct beginning with this definition: A sex offense is “Any sexual act directed against another person, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent.” This definition applies when the person is not able to give their consent.
Generally, children are presumed not to be able to consent to consensual acts. Statutory rape is defined as sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent.“ The age of consent in Washington State is 16. Consent to any sexual activity must be clear, knowing, and voluntary. Anything less is equivalent to a “no.” Remember, “Consent is active; silence or passivity is not consent.”
Some of the other definitions of sexual misconduct in the statute include rape, sodomy, sexual assault with an object, fondling, and engaging in voyeurism.
Common examples of sexual abuse by clergy members include:
- Non-consensual sexual acts: Any non-consensual or unwanted sexual touching or physical contact is improper.
- Sexual assault: This type of sexual misconduct includes rape and other forceful acts
- Sexual exploitation: This type of sexual misconduct involves a clergy/religious leader using their position of authority for sexual gratification.
- Grooming: This form of sexual misconduct involves building up a congregant’s trust usually with the intent of engaging in sexual misconduct.
- Sexual harassment: This type of sexual misconduct involves making the victim feel uncomfortable about participation in any religious activity through comments, behavior, or sexual advances.
Any sexual misconduct, violation, or exploitation of a child is improper and likely illegal.
How harmful is religious sexual abuse?
Improper sexual conduct by clergy members isn’t just a violation of Washington’s civil or criminal laws. It’s also a violation of the sacred spiritual and pastoral relationship of the church – and another reason why religious organizations bear responsibility for the conduct of their religious leaders.
Sexual abuse by religious leaders can cause pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other physical consequences. Sexual abuse by the clergy/religious leaders usually causes severe psychological trauma that can last a lifetime. The combination of sexual abuse and that the abuse was caused by someone in a position of trust can be unbearable for many victims even with long-term psychological counseling. The failure of religious organizations to recognize, admit, and confront the sexual abuse by their religious officials only adds to the victim’s trauma.
What are the signs my child is being sexually abused by a religious leader in Seattle?
At Smith McBroom, we understand the signs that a child or adult is being sexually abused by a clergy member. Our Seattle religious organization lawyers work with psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health counselors who are skilled at understanding the signs of sexual abuse by religious leaders and the long-term emotional and behavioral effects of the abuse.
Some of the common signs of clergy sexual abuse include:
- Withdrawal: A child or other congregant who has been sexually abused is likely to be reluctant to engage in religious activities and with religious leaders of the religious organization.
- Depression: Common signs of depression include mood changes, sadness, and hopelessness.
- Anxiety: Victims are likely to be extra-cautious, nervous, and upset.
- Regression: Young children may revert to sucking their thumb or wetting their bed.
- Sleep difficulties: Nightmares and insomnia are common symptoms.
Other symptoms of sexual abuse by religious leaders include communication and speech difficulties, unexplained physical pain, sexually transmitted infections/diseases, lack of trust, poor grades in school, more knowledge about sex than is usual for a child’s age, inappropriate sexual conduct, and a lack of interest in attending religious services or activities.
Who do your Seattle religious organization lawyers represent?
Smith McBroom represents:
- Children who are victims of religious sexual abuse
- The parents of sexually abused children – when the victims are still minors
- Adults who were children at the time of the sexual abuse (adult survivors)
- Adult congregants who are sexually abused
Our Seattle religious organization lawyers will explain the time limits for filing a personal injury claim against a religious organization and any of the religious officials of that organization.
Washington statute RCW 4.16.340 specifically applies to the time to file complaints for injury damages due to childhood sexual abuse. The time is fluid based on when the victim “discovered or reasonably should have discovered” that their harm/trauma was caused by the sexual abuse. The time for filing a claim is tolled until a child reaches the age of 18. Parental or guardian knowledge is not imparted to the child under 18.
Often, a child doesn’t discover the sexual abuse/injury until there is a formal psychological evaluation after the child becomes an adult.
Our sexual abuse lawyers will explain when you need to file your claim. We recommend that you contact us as soon as you suspect any sexual abuse by a religious official occurred.
Who is responsible for sexual abuse by a clergy leader?
We file personal injury claims against the religious abuser and the religious organization. If criminal charges are filed against the abuser, we coordinate your case (or your child’s case) with the local prosecutor’s case.
Religious organizations include parishes, synagogues, churches, dioceses, mosques, and other institutions where religious services are held. We also file claims against religious schools and religious youth organizations.
Religious organizations may be liable in addition to the abuser for many different reasons.
- Generally, an employer such as a religious organization is vicariously liable for the conduct or misconduct of their employees.
- Religious organizations should know that sexual abuse in churches, synagogues, and other religious institutions may be taking place. They should take proactive steps to ensure that sexual abuse is not taking place at their locations. These steps include, but are not limited to:
- Ensuring that more than one adult is with a child at any time when possible
- Having an open door possible so that other church members can observe the relationship between a religious leader or a child
- Creating a reporting system so that children feel comfortable speaking with other adults
- Reporting any sexual abuse to public officials and the police. Currently, there is no mandatory requirement that clergy members report child abuse or neglect. A proposed Washington state law is trying to change that.
- Many other proactive steps.
How do your Seattle religious organization lawyers advocate for victims of sexual abuse?
We’ll investigate what happened, begin civil litigation, identify why the religious organization was negligent or irresponsible, review what other complaints have been filed against the abuser and/or the religious organization, determine if anyone else is abused, and take other steps to show the religious organization is liable.
Our legal team will work to ensure your child/you are being treated by doctors and therapists who are skilled sexual abuse healthcare practitioners.
We work to show the physical and psychological injuries that occurred, what treatments are necessary, the cost of the medical care, and every way the child or adult’s life is being affected on a daily level. We’ll review your child’s ability to work, attend school, engage in social relationships, perform daily functions, their loss of trust, and how the personal and spiritual consequences of the abuse.
Our Seattle religious organizations demand compensation for a sexual abuse victim’s medical bills, physical pain, emotional suffering, loss of earning capacity, and inability to enjoy life. Your child may also be entitled to punitive damages because of the unconscionable nature of sexual abuse by religious officials and organizations.
Do you have a Seattle religious organization lawyer near me?
Smith McBroom meets sexual abuse victims and parents at our Seattle office at 16400 Southcenter Parkway Suite 210. We also conduct consultations by phone and online.
We understand the trauma of sexual abuse; especially when the abuser is someone you placed your faith and trust in. We’ll explain your rights and answer all your questions.
Speak with our caring experienced Seattle Uber religious organization lawyers today
The trauma of sexual abuse often lasts a lifetime. At Smith McBroom, we work to empower survivors. We’re skilled at showing that it’s not just the religious official who committed the abuse who should be held responsible; it’s the religious organization too. Our Seattle religious organization lawyers will fight to restore your dignity and hold those who should have prevented the sexual abuse accountable.
Please call us or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. Our attorneys represent sexual abuse victims in Tukwila, Seattle, and across Washington state.