Clergy Sexual Abuse

Victims of Sexual Abuse in Church

If you are a victim of sexual abuse by priests, or other leaders in the church, your life has probably been affected in many ways. Almost everything about you may have suffered. Your relationships, your education, your career and even your spirituality and relationship with God may have all been seriously damaged if you were taken advantage of by a spiritual leader.

Though abuse in the Catholic Church is often in the media, sex abuse happens in nearly every religion or denomination—whether Anglican, United, Baptist, or Pentecostal. Church leaders are figures of trust and authority, and when that trust is destroyed, victims feel helpless. Survivors of sex abuse by clergy or priests often live their whole lives not understanding where the pain comes from; why they haven't accomplished much with their lives; why they keep turning to drugs or alcohol. Many people come to a realization, often well into adulthood, that the pain they've had their whole lives is rooted in sexual abuse by Catholic church leaders or clergy of another religion.

Sometimes, exploring the possibility of taking action against the abuser(s) is an important part of the healing process. Whether or not you ultimately decide to sue the perpetrator(s) is your choice. We help give you the information you need to make the choice that's right for you.

If you were sexually abused by a priest or clergy-member, you may have a claim against the person who assaulted you, or against other people who can be found responsible. Our sexual assault lawyers in Toronto can help you