Clergy Sexual Abuse

When a priest or other clergy member sexually abuses a child, it is a devastating and traumatizing event, the effects of which often last a lifetime. The attorneys at the Law Offices of James S. Rogers have represented victims of clergy sexual abuse for nearly two decades. The practice of Catholic priests, bishops, and others to look away or turn a blind eye when a priest sexually abuses a child has been widespread, and is a worldwide problem.

Washington State has a special statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse. The provision of RCW 4.16.340 provides that all claims or causes of action based on intentional conduct brought by any person for recovery of damages for injury suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse shall be commenced within the later of the following periods: (a) Within three years of the act alleged to have caused the injury or condition; (b) Within three years of the time the victim discovered or reasonably should have discovered that the injury or condition was caused by said act; or (c) Within three years of the time the victim discovered that the act caused the injury for which the claim is brought.

The Supreme Court of Washington’s ruling in this firm’s C.J.C. vs. Corporation of the Catholic Bishop of Yakima case is a leading decision governing actions resulting from childhood sexual abuse.

Related Case Histories

Priest/Clergy Childhood Sexual Abuse

  • $1,595,000 settlement for four plaintiffs who had been sexually molested by a priest as minors.
  • $1,410,000 settlement for four plaintiffs who were sexually molested by a priest as minors.
  • $1,112,500 settlement for three plaintiffs who had been sexually abused by a priest as minors.
    The plaintiffs were 58, 59, and 60 years old at the time of the settlement.
  • Please visit our Case History page for further examples of Clergy Abuse cases we have handled.

Articles & Press

Resources

King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
“The King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC) is a registered nonprofit organization. Their mission is to give voice to victims, their families and the community. They strive to create change in beliefs, attitudes and behaviors about violence. They instill courage for people to speak out about sexual assault. KCSARC’s purpose is to alleviate, as much as possible, the trauma of sexual assault for victims and their families.”
www.kcsarc.org

Information: Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) www.snapnetwork.org