Michigan Priest Abuse
Discussing childhood sexual abuse is undeniably challenging.
We recognize how painful it is to recount the trauma of childhood sexual abuse. Just know that our team of compassionate, caring, trauma-informed legal advocates, dedicated to providing sensitivity care and discretion, is here to help you along the path to healing.
Priest Abuse Survivors Deserve Confidentiality
Our entire trauma-informed team treats every client’s details with the strictest confidence. Though we can never truly understand the pain that survivors have suffered throughout their lives, we will help you learn your rights, and we won’t take any action on your behalf until you are ready. We are committed to protecting your identity and can file your case as John Doe or Jane Doe.
Have your case reviewed.
It can take many years for people who were sexually abused as a child to talk about what happened to them. The trauma and betrayal caused by priest abuse often last a lifetime. Many survivors silently bear their pain for years, if not decades. Research indicates that a majority of sexual abuse survivors are unable to discuss their trauma until they are 50 or older. Laws in many States have changed to allow adults sexually abused as children to make a claim. Regardless of the Statute of Limitations for Michigan priest abuse, it is in your best interest to have your case reviewed.
You Are Not Alone
Attorney Steve Boyd, our managing partner, began his journey to help survivors by investigating priest sexual abuse as a journalist in the 1990s. He and his team have been the voice for over 700 child sexual abuse survivors. If you are a survivor of priest abuse in Michigan, take an essential step towards healing.
Our Process
Michigan priest abuse survivors, we’re here for you. Our legal professionals are committed advocates licensed in Michigan who understand the weight of opening up about sexual abuse. We will hold your story with the utmost care, aiding you in sharing it safely. Our team is trained to be trauma-informed, and we take the utmost care to respect the confidentiality of every client’s details. We understand that the pain survivors endure is difficult to comprehend, but we are here to help you understand your rights. We will not take any action on your behalf until you feel ready. Our priority is to protect your identity, and we can even file your case under the pseudonym of John Doe or Jane Doe.
Our trauma-informed legal team
- Provide a free case review
- Locate & secure crucial evidence
- Protect the privacy of the survivor
- Hold perpetrators & institutions accountable
- Travel to you & other injured parties
Results
+$10 Million Recovered in 2023
for individual child sexual abuse survivors
+700
sexual abuse clients represented
FAQs – Michigan Priest Abuse
Do I need legal representation if I was sexually abused by a priest in Michigan?
It’s essential to consult with an attorney who is experienced in this area of law. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation, inform you of your rights, and help you understand the potential outcomes of legal action. In addition, If you believe you’ve been a victim of sexual assault or any crime, it’s also important to consider seeking support from local victim advocacy groups or mental health professionals who can offer guidance and resources.
Can the Catholic Church in Michigan be held liable for abuse committed by priests?
Institutions, including the Catholic Church, can potentially be held liable if it’s proven that they were negligent in their duty to protect individuals from harm or if they covered up abuse.
What if I was sexually abused by a priest who is no longer alive?
It does not matter if the predator who sexually abused you is alive. Most cases under the Michigan Child Victim Act will be brought against the institutions covering up the abuse and were complicit in it. For example, a case involving a Roman Catholic priest who sexually abused children decades ago would be against the Diocese or Archdiocese where the abuse took place. This is a case of negligent retention and supervision. Because the diocese or archdiocese had the opportunity to stop the abuse when they first knew about it, but instead, they covered it up.
News & Updates
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Baltimore’s Archdiocese Attempts to Turn Its Back on Abuse Survivors.
Baltimore’s Archdiocese avoids litigation Last Friday, Baltimore’s Archdiocese took an aggressive step to protect its secrets, money, and assets. It filed for Chapter 11 in federal bankruptcy court to avoid litigation by potentially thousands of claims related to its failure to protect children from predator priests. The Archdiocese hopes this move will limit its liability…
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Largest Reported NY School Abuse Settlement—$3.5 Million for one survivor.
A $3.5 Million sexual abuse settlement for one survivor was secured by attorney Leah Costanzo and the team at Steve Boyd, PC. Steve Boyd, PC, is proud to announce that partner Leah Costanzo represented four of the five plaintiffs who secured $8.4 million in settlements against the Cheektowaga Maryvale Union Free School District. Including the…
Sources
https://www.timesunion.com/state/article/Legacy-of-the-Child-Victims-Act-16230933.php | https://www.rainn.org/statistics | https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/ny-state-of-politics/2021/07/28/advocates-make-push-for-child-victims-act-lawsuits-as-window-closes | https://childusa.org/focus-on-facts/