Individuals who experience sexual abuse carry the trauma with them for the rest of their lives. When the abuser is a member of the clergy, someone you should feel safe with, the feelings of distrust and vulnerability are multiplied.
The team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will walk you through the legal process to seek compensation for the harm you endured. Compensation doesn’t make up for the abuse, but it can help you find closure and cover any losses suffered in the aftermath.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are dedicated to securing justice and compensation for victims of clergy abuse in Tucson. Our experienced legal team has a strong track record of handling these cases sensitively and achieving substantial settlements and verdicts.
Priest grooming and handling
Deacon assault and rape
Clergy child abuse filed in adulthood
Volunteer-perpetrated Catholic church abuse
Religious school priest teen sexual abuse
Clergy abuse case filed against a deceased priest
Thorough investigations by our attorneys ensure all damages, including emotional trauma, are fully addressed. Our Arizona clergy abuse law expertise allows us to handle complex cases and fight for your rights.
What Is Clergy Sexual Abuse?
Clergy sexual abuse is defined as any sexual harm carried out by a member of the clergy or employee of any religious institution. The victim is often a member of the congregation, but not always.
Prevalence of Clergy Sex Abuse in Tucson, AZ
Sexual abuse in the Catholic church is a significant problem in Tucson, affecting the lives of many.
- In the Diocese of Tucson, over 32 priests were credibly accused of abuse or sexual misconduct with a minor [1].
- In the Diocese of Phoenix, 17 priests were removed from ministry for sexual misconduct with a minor [2].
These numbers are likely an understatement of the true scale of the abuse because of the under-reporting of incidents and the tendency for clergy abusers to have multiple victims.
Notable Catholic Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases & Priests Accused in Tucson, AZ
Many Catholic priests in the Diocese of Tucson have been accused or convicted of sexual crimes. Here are some notable examples:
- Juan Guillen: Convicted for abuse of three minor boys. He served a ten-year prison sentence and was released in 201. He then skipped probation and is currently at large, believed to be in Mexico [3].
- Fernando Manzo: Accused of sexual misconduct while serving as a priest. Manzo is currently a missing person, believed to be on the run after an investigation was opened into his abuse [4].
- Michael Teta: Accused of raping multiple boys and soliciting sex from the confessionals and removed from the church in 2004 [5].
Common Forms of Clergy Abuse
Clergy sex abuse takes different forms, and many times, victims experience multiple types of abuse. Common types include:
- Unwanted touching: Touching inappropriately under or on top of clothes.
- Taking Inappropriate images or videos: Sexual videos or images of the victim.
- Undressing: Victims are forced to underdress in front of the clergy member or the clergy member getting undressed in front of the victims.
- Showing or providing access to pornography: Watching pornography with the victim, showing it to them, or providing them access to it.
- Turning conversations sexual: Inappropriate questions, remarks, statements, or requests of a sexual nature.
- Sexual acts: Any sex act performed without consent. Minors cannot provide consent for any sexual acts.
The Profile of Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors
Boys aged 11-17 are the most common victims of sexual abuse from clergy members in the Catholic church, followed by adult women [6].
People sexually abused by church authorities can experience adverse effects for life, including PTSD, depression, and confusion about their sexuality. They also face difficulties trusting authorities and have a deep sense of guilt or shame about the abuse, even though the victim is never at fault.
Common Signs of Child Sexual Abuse
Because children are the most at risk of clergy abuse, it’s helpful for parents to know what to look for if it is happening. These are the most common physical and behavioral signs of childhood sexual abuse [7].
Behavioral signs:
- Poor school attendance or grades
- Changes in hygiene habits, such as refusing to shower or showering obsessively
- New phobias developing
- Wetting the bed or having regular nightmares
- Knowledge of sex inappropriate for their age
- Suicidal thoughts or depression
- Self-harm
- Feeling threatened or uncomfortable by physical touch
- Thumb-sucking or other regressive childhood behaviors
- Symptoms of PTSD
- Becoming overly protective of younger siblings
Physical signs:
- Underwear that’s bloody, dirty, or damaged
- Increased frequency of UTIs or yeast infections
- Swelling, blood, or bruises around the genitals
- Painful sitting or walking
- Itching, pain, or burning around genitals
These signs are not always related to abuse but should be investigated. Proper investigation is critical to a successful case and preventing false accusations.
Who Can File a Clergy Sexual Abuse Claim?
In general, four parties can file clergy sexual abuse cases.
These are:
- Child victims of abuse
- Parents of child abuse victims
- Adult victims of abuse
- Adults who were subjected to abuse as children
The case must directly affect parties, which is why only the victim or the parents of a minor child may seek justice through a childhood sexual abuse lawsuit.
Liability in Clergy Abuse Cases
If a church official has abused you, there are two ways you can pursue justice. First, you can sue the individual abuser. This is against the priest or clergy member who abused you. While this may help you if you’re seeking justice, it’s often better to go after the religious organization the clergy member works for under a legal concept known as vicarious liability.
Vicarious liability means the organization shares liability in a sexual abuse case because the actions they took perpetuated the abuse or their inactions and negligence failed to stop or prevent it.
Common examples of vicarious liability include when priests are moved to new parishes after abuse allegations rather than being reported to the authorities. The church may be liable in a civil suit alongside the abuser if you can show a connection between the organization’s actions and the abuse.
The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Lawsuit in Tucson
In Tucson, the statute of limitations for filing a civil lawsuit for clergy sexual abuse is two years for adult victims. If you are a victim of childhood sexual abuse, you may file any time before your 30th birthday. These timelines were updated in 2020.
The statute of limitations can vary from seven years to indefinitely, depending on factors such as the age of the victim and the nature of the abuse. We can review this information during a free consultation to discuss your case.
Types of Cases Handled by Our Tucson Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers
Abuse can happen at any time in any religious institution. Our law firm helps victims file clergy sexual abuse claims against priests, pastors, religious teachers, volunteers, and any other associates of religious organizations. Whether your claim is against the Catholic church, LDS church, Protestant church, or another denomination, we’re ready to walk you through the entire legal process.
Steps to Take if You Are a Victim
The first thing you need to do is to ensure your safety by getting away from your abuser to prevent the abuse from continuing. Then, it’s essential to document the details of the abuse immediately.
Gather records of any communications you’ve had with the abuser, especially electronic communications you can screenshot and save. It’s also best to go to the doctor to have any physical evidence recorded.
Survivors of sexual abuse in Tucson, Arizona, can also seek support from organizations operating within the state to provide resources and community to survivors. These include:
You can also call the national sexual abuse hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) to get connected with resources and support you may need.
How Our Tucson Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help
Every case starts with an initial consultation. We’ll schedule a time to discuss your case with you and plan the next steps. These include investigating and compiling evidence to bring your case forward. Our attorneys will provide the legal assistance you need to fight for the justice you deserve.
We’ll bring your civil suit against your abuser and their supervising organization. Most of these lawsuits are settled outside of court through negotiations. However, if a settlement cannot be reached, the case will be tried before a court.
The Cost of Hiring Our Tucson Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorneys
Our firm handles civil lawsuits for clergy abuse on a contingency fee. This means you won’t pay anything out of pocket for our services. We’ll work for you without cost for a percentage of the negotiated settlement if the case is successful.
This payment model ensures our team has a powerful incentive to seek the largest settlement possible. We win when you win. You don’t have to have any money to work with us and get a team of expert lawyers behind you. Quality legal services are within your reach, regardless of your financial circumstances.
Compensation for Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims
Victims of clergy abuse can sue to recover costs of medical expenses and psychological care, as well as compensation for emotional distress and damages suffered because of the abuse. While exact compensation will be negotiated during the settlement, we’ll work with you to get the most significant settlement offer possible.
Compensation for sexual abuse can vary greatly depending on the extent of the abuse, the age when the abuse occurred, the long-term impact of the abuse, and the severity of the abuse.
Contact Our Tucson Clergy Abuse Attorneys Today!
It’s time to secure the justice you deserve if a church associate in Tucson, Arizona, has sexually abused you. A sexual abuse lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to discuss your case during a confidential consultation and help you plan the next steps toward recovery.
Call us at (888) 424-5757 or fill in our contact form.
Resources: [1] Diocese of Tucson; [2] Diocese of Phoenix; [3] Bishop Accountability; [4] Nogales International; [5] Arizona Daily Star; [6] National Library of Medicine; [7] RAINN