Credible allegations of child sexual abuse have impacted New Jersey’s Catholic Church scene, with reports of abuse and cover-ups ranging over decades. Each of the state’s Catholic dioceses was named in a large-scale investigation, including abusers with ties to Newark, New Jersey.
The investigation laid the foundation for victims from other religious institutions to come forward. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers offers clergy abuse victims the dedicated support they need.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
The team of sexual abuse lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has a proven track record of helping victims hold their abusers accountable. With expert-level New Jersey state knowledge and a desire to help abuse victims heal, our team has the skills and knowledge needed for a positive outcome.
Priest grooming and handling
Deacon assault and rape
Clergy child abuse filed in adulthood
Volunteer-perpetrated Catholic church abuse
Religious school priest teen sexual abuse
Case filed against a deceased priest
Our law firm will be with you each step of the way. We aim to guide you through the legal process while offering support and compassion, hopefully assisting you toward financial and psychological recovery. We’re committed to bringing light to every case against the Newark Archdiocese.
Prevalence of Clergy Sex Abuse in the Archdiocese of Newark
Sexual abuse is far too common throughout religious institutions. This includes abuse in the Catholic Church, where there were many cases against the Archdiocese of Newark. Here are a few clergy abuse statistics to know:
- Over 820 lawsuits were filed against New Jersey Catholic Church clergy in the two-year lookback period starting Dec. 1, 2019) [1] This period has already ended.
- Of these lawsuits, 62.2% were against a cleric or religious institution, with many instances of the Neward Archdiocese covering up reported child abuse [2].
- The Diocese of Newark has failed to update its list of accused Catholic clergy, leading to likely a much higher number of occurrences [3].
- 63 Catholic clergy from the Archdiocese of Newark were included on the list of credibly accused offenders [4]
Notable Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases and Accused Priests
Here are some of the most notable clergy sexual abuse cases in the Newark area:
- Cardinal McCarrick: McCarrick is among the most notable child sexual abuse cases in Newark, New Jersey. McCarrick has been at the center of multiple lawsuits after allegations arose in the 1980s.
- The Archdiocese of Newark: Even before the widespread investigation of child sex abuse in the Catholic Church, the Archdiocese of Newark settled a $1M case involving ten victims [5].
- Peter Leo Gerety: Gerety was accused of sexually abusing a young girl in the 1970s and 1980s after she reached out to him for family help [6].
- Joseph P. Rice: Rice was credibly accused of sexual abuse of a teenage girl. Despite the church finding the allegations of sexual abuse credible, no criminal or career actions were taken.
Common Forms of Sexual Misconduct Perpetrated by Clergy Members
Sexual misconduct occurs among clergy members in various ways, including the following:
- Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment includes verbal or physical behaviors that are sexual.
- Sexual Exploitation: Sexual exploitation involves using or selling a person’s body for financial gain.
- Sexual Comments or Communications: Inappropriate comments or texts with a minor or nonconsensual person are misconduct.
- Sexual Assault: Sexual assault involves physically touching another person without their consent or a child.
The Profile of Clergy Sex Abuse Victims
Abusive clergy members typically target victims of which they have power or influence. Victims of childhood sexual abuse may suffer from physical pains, pregnancy, STDs, and psychological trauma.
Common Signs of Clergy Abuse Among Child Victims
A few common signs that a child has or is being sexually abused include the following:
- Sexual themes in daily conversations, stories, plays, or drawings
- Injury to harder-to-access bodily parts
- Behavioral changes, such as academic difficulties or mood changes
- Sudden fear of adults or church leaders
Eligibility to File a Civil Lawsuit
New Jersey law allows those who have been sexually abused to file a civil lawsuit for financial compensation. A parent can file a lawsuit against the perpetrator for their child. Adult victims who are sexually abused in the church can file lawsuits.
Adult survivors who were sexually abused as a child in the Newark Archdiocese may still have civil lawsuit options available, depending on the circumstances of the abuse.
Liability in Clergy Abuse Cases
Civil lawsuits aim to seek compensation from the responsible party, which may include an individual (priest, pastor, volunteer, or other clergy member) or an institution (the Newark Archdiocese or other religious orders).
Individuals may face criminal charges or civil lawsuits. Institutional liability aims to hold religious institutions, responsible for failing to complete background checks when hiring, a lack of supervision of clergy members, or not reporting credible claims of sexual abuse.
It’s crucial to work with an experienced legal team when building a case to prove the connection between the church’s negligence and the sexual abuse endured.
The Statute of Limitations for Filing Clergy Abuse Lawsuits in Newark
New Jersey sexual abuse victims have a limited time to file a civil lawsuit against New Jersey Catholic Dioceses for sexual abuse. The Victims Rights Bill, an updated New Jersey law, now gives sexual abuse victims until their 55th birthday or within seven years of discovery of harm to file a civil suit against the abuser.
Types of Cases Handled by Our Newark Clergy Abuse Lawyers
Our law firm has a proven track record when handling clergy abuse cases. We help survivors seek justice from individual leaders or institutions while staying within the state’s statute of limitations. We also have the knowledge and experience necessary to represent victims affected by religious organizations other than Roman Catholic dioceses.
The Newark Archdiocese isn’t the only Catholic Church in New Jersey guilty of childhood sexual abuse. We handle cases involving clergy abuse in Trenton, Paterson, and Metuchen.
Steps to Take if You Are a Victim
Survivors of sexual abuse should complete the following steps:
- Seek medical care and prioritize personal safety
- Document the sexual abuse, including photographs, police reports, letters, or texts.
- Schedule a free, confidential consultation to learn more about your legal options.
- Consider seeking support from the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault or the YWCA of North Jersey.
How Our Newark Clergy Abuse Attorneys Can Help
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers offers Newark victims access to the compassionate support they need and deserve during this difficult time. A free and confidential consultation lets us learn more about each other and explore your legal options. Our team will then investigate your case and collect any available evidence.
We then file lawsuits based on the legal strategy we agreed on together. Legal settlements are typical. However, our primary goal at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is helping survivors, so we’re prepared to take your case to trial if you don’t receive a fair settlement offer.
The Cost of Hiring a Newark Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Money should not stop survivors of sexual abuse from seeking justice. Our law firm charges using a contingency fee, meaning you never owe anything unless we successfully recover money on your behalf.
Compensation for Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims
Those who survived sexual abuse may be left with financial and emotional consequences. Victims are often entitled to compensation for medical expenses, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
Each case is different, and the amount of compensation available depends on many factors, including when the abuse occurred and how it impacted your physical and emotional well-being. It also matters whether you’re within the state’s time limits.
Contact a Newark Clergy Abuse Attorney Today!
If you or someone you love has been affected by sexual abuse by clergy in Newark, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to help. Abuse within Catholic churches or by Catholic priests can have long-lasting impacts, and our dedicated legal counsel can help you hold the responsible parties accountable.
Call us at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our online form.
Related Practice Areas
- New Jersey Catholic Diocese Priest Abuse List
- Clifton Clergy Abuse Lawyer
- Elizabeth Clergy Abuse Lawyer
- Jersey City Clergy Abuse Lawyer
- Patterson Clergy Abuse Lawyer
Resources: [1] BishopAccountability, [2] NJ.com, [3] Northjersey.com, [4] ProPublica, [5] SNAP, [6] BishopAccountability