Many child victims of clergy sex abuse lost the ability to press for criminal charges against their attackers because they were too traumatized to come forward if the abuse occurred decades ago. Although that law has now changed in Florida, the statute of limitations still applies to older cases. However, if you were subjected to abuse before the change, you can likely file a civil lawsuit against the diocese or church administration overseeing your abuser.
Mount Dora is part of the Orlando Diocese, which has a history of known abuse, with the Church even systematically transferred accused priests from other states to Florida parishes. If you believe you have a clergy sex abuse claim in Mount Dora, our experienced personal injury lawyers offer compassionate care and advocacy to get you compensated.
Whether you were abused by a priest or other clergy as a child and are now an adult, or you suspect your child may have been targeted, the emotional trauma is the most far-reaching aspect and may take a lifetime of counseling to overcome.
Children may show physical signs of soreness, redness, bruises, or even bleeding. Your physician should examine the child to procure evidence or refer them for a Sexual Assault Nurse Exam (SANE). Children may allude to having a special friend and spending a lot of time with your parish priest, who may be showering them with attention or giving them coveted privileges. Emotional signs of abuse can include children intentionally harming themselves, running away, or experiencing nightmares.
According to the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), many child victims wait until the average age of 52 to report the abuse. They may live into middle age with anxiety, guilt, mistrust for others, and shame.
These are not definitive signs and there are others. Seek help from a medical professional and then from our attorneys if you or your child have clergy sex abuse allegations in Mount Dora.
The Florida Legislature passed Donna’s Law, named for a 15-year-old student raped by her choir teacher. It lifted the statute of limitations on criminal sexual battery of minors, but only for cases brought after that date.
Fortunately for those abused prior to that date, there is recourse in civil court because there is no civil statute of limitations if the child is younger than 16. Teens 16 or 17-years-old have until they are 25 to file civil lawsuits. Our Mount Dora lawyers understand the angst a child goes through when a trusted authority figure violates their position in such a depraved way. Call now to discuss clergy sexual battery claims if you endured this abuse, and let us work to get you compensated.
Priests and the Orlando Diocese have been sued multiple times over the decades for allegations of clergy sex abuse. The Diocese paid $4.2 million in settlement for sex abuse claims between 1968 and 2002 and later split a $1.5 million settlement with the Diocese of St. Augustine for abuse alleged before the dioceses split.
Large settlements or damages awards are not uncommon because, along with compensation for physical harm, children abused by clergy will forever be emotionally and psychologically haunted by the experience. Compensation must include expensive medical care, suffering, emotional pain, loss of trust, the level of inability to form healthy sexual relationships, and the loss of enjoyment of life. To discuss clergy sexual abuse claims in Mount Dora, contact us to assess your case and map a legal path forward.
The widespread abuse by clergy has been going on for a long time. While criminal charges for sexual battery that occurred many years ago cannot be levied, civil charges can. The attorneys at The Umansky Law Firm are aware that talking about abuse may be uncomfortable for you and we do everything we can to reassure you that holding a predator accountable is the right thing to do. To discuss available compensation for clergy sex abuse claims in Mount Dora, contact us now.
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