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Were you sexually abused as a child by a priest, deacon or any other member of the Catholic Church? You are not alone. We are here to help abuse victims. Stand up against your abuser and help prevent this from happening to someone else. Please fill out our confidential online contact form or call Toll Free 1-866-777-2557 and a Pennsylvania Sex Abuse Lawyer will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your possible case. This is a free consultation. There is no cost to investigate and there are no legal fees unless you receive financial compensation at the end of the case. Making the call is sometimes the hardest step, but it is often a necessary step on the road to healing. Clergy Sex Abuse Lawyer Pennsylvania
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In August 2018, a grand jury in Pennsylvania released an investigation that revealed the cover up of the abuse of more than 1,000 victims perpetrated by more than 300 priests in excess of seventy years in six of the eight dioceses in the state. The report believed that there were in all probability thousands of additional victims who were either too fearful to come forward or whose files had been lost.
The grand jury met for two years and obtained the statements of victims from the dioceses of Allentown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Scranton. They also heard the testimony of the bishop of Erie, and the grand jury evaluated half a million files from the archives of the dioceses. The survey outlined every accused priest and outlined the measures the diocese employed to cover for their abuse.
Clergy Sex Abuse Lawyer Pennsylvania
The bishops inside the state were found to have persuaded law enforcement officials not to take a look at claims and convinced victims not to file instances of abuse. Though many of the priests confronting allegations were taken out of ministry, the bishops that vouched for and shielded them stayed in office or possibly were promoted.
Following the release of the analysis, some bishops promised to be more candid and described new procedures which make congregations safer for young people. Bishop David A. Zubik of Pittsburgh was adamant that there had been absolutely no cover up. He professed that there was in fact openness for the past thirty years.
Clergy Sex Abuse Lawyer Pennsylvania
The grand jury found that the church utilized euphemisms to lessen the abuse, assigned priests with no experience of investigating sexual abuse accusations to investigate their fellow priests, and concealing the reasons behind transferring or removing an accused priest. The report established that bishops would either notify the priest’s parishioners that he was on some sort of sick leave or say absolutely nothing.
Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Pennsylvania
Victims expressed relief that their stories were finally being told and that their abusers were being publicly named. Some questioned the possible lack of justice offending priests encountered along with what further actions would be taken. The state legislature in Pennsylvania has declined amend the statute of limitations which would enable victims to file civil cases. The current statute blocks childhood victims over the age of 30 from filing a civil suit against the church. The grand jury suggested an extension of the statute of limitations for both civil and criminal cases, additionally they suggested a momentary removal of the statute of limitations to allow older victims to file their cases.
Clergy Sex Abuse Lawyer PA
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