Find Clergy Abuse Attorneys in Florida

The Psychosocial Effects of Child Sexual Abuse by Clergy Members

The behavioral consequences of sexual abuse by a clergy member can be more severe than the aftereffects of more common forms of sexual abuse. Many faiths view their clergy members as a direct link to God. Children may experience particularly intense shame and betrayal when sexually abused by someone commanding such reverence.

Many children will not tell anyone about the abuse. Often, the child fears that they themselves will be blamed. Even when they make accusations, there may be a cover-up. In many cases, accused abusers are reassigned to other churches and/or organizations.

The Value in Hiring a Florida Clergy Abuse Attorney

Often, the victim in a clergy abuse case is treated as a mere “witness”. As a result, his or her best interests may not be well represented. If you are a victim of clergy sexual abuse in the State of Florida and feel your needs are not being represented, you should find an attorney to represent YOU. Furthermore, you may even want to contact an attorney if the state has decided not to prosecute the accused because of insufficient evidence or the time that has elapsed since the abuse occurred. Hiring an attorney that is well-versed in abuse litigation as it pertain to the State of Florida will help you obtain the damages you deserve.

Sexual Abuse and Florida Law

Most states have a statute of limitations on sexual abuse. This is the time period in which the perpetrator may be prosecuted or sued. For civil claims (law suits), Florida law states that claims of sexual abuse must be made within:

•    7 years of the victim turning 18
•    4 years of the victim leaving the dependency of the abuser
•    4 years from the time of the victim’s discovery of abuse

This last item is called delayed discovery and allows for repressed memories and traumatic amnesia, especially in cases involving children. Here, the clock does not start ticking until the victim is aware that the abuse occurred.

Selecting a Clergy Abuse Attorney

If you are a victim of clergy sexual abuse, you should locate an attorney who has experience handling cases similar to yours. There is no single right way to find a good attorney. Most people start with the phone book or a recommendation from someone they know and trust. You can also go to www.floridabar.org and search for an attorney in good standing with the Florida Bar.

Once you have identified some potential Florida attorney candidates, ask them following questions:

•    Does the attorney provide a free consultation?
•    What are the fee arrangements? In lawsuits, many attorneys offer a contingency fee arrangement, where you only have to     pay them if you win your case.
•    Has the attorney represented clergy sexual abuse victims before? How often, and what were the outcomes?
•    Can the attorney provide a client reference from a previous case?
•    How long has the attorney been in practice? Is he or she licensed to practice law in Florida?
•    If the attorney is not comfortable handling your case, can he or she provide reference to another attorney who can?

If you or a loved one have been sexually abused by a clergy member in the State of Florida, finding a Florida attorney experienced in clergy sexual abuse cases can help you get the representation you deserve.