Georgia Attorneys Investigating Sexual Assault Claims Against the Roman Catholic Church Archdioceses & Priests

Accusations of sexual assault committed by Roman Catholic Church clergy members have created a harrowed reckoning for Catholic parishioners, including religious people in Georgia. Many innocent victims have come forward, claiming that trusted priests have committed sexual misconduct against them days, months, years, and decades before.

Unfortunately, church officials have often turned a blind eye to the inappropriate behavior instead of taking the necessary steps to ensure the predator is held accountable. In Georgia, innocent victims of clergy assault have numerous legal avenues to ensure justice is served.

It often takes decades for victims of sexual abuse to speak up and tell others after years of suffering in silence. If you are a sexual assault survivor and want justice, the compassionate network of affiliate attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, can help. Our caring team of legal representatives will fight on your behalf to protect your rights and provide a safe place to talk about what happened. Our Catholic Church sexual injury attorneys are here to listen to your story.

We have a comprehensive understanding of Georgia tort law and will use the legal system to ensure the perpetrator faces the consequences they deserve for their unacceptable behavior.

Sexual Assault Involving Clergy is Still a Problem

In October 2009, the Roman Catholic Church in Georgia paid out $4.24 million to resolve a case involving Waylon Brown. In 2018, news outlets posted information showing how the Catholic Church suppressed instances of sexual assault committed by priests in the northwest portion of the state.

One victim’s lawsuit noted that church officials had failed to inform the local community that the priest had posed a significant danger. The alleged victim served as a St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (Dalton) altar boy between 1976 and 1978 when he was between twelve and fifteen years of age.

The victim states that Father John Edwards sexually molested him throughout that time. The priest, who died in 1997, was in charge of direct supervision over the church’s altar boys and would sometimes take the minor children to his Acworth Lake Altoona house.

The Devastating Effects of Sexual Assault

Sexual assaulting anyone can cause lifelong devastation that negatively alters the victim’s well-being. Children and adults who have been sexually assaulted can suffer from significant sleeping disorders, ongoing depression, substance abuse, self-injury, and suicide, including suicidal ideation (thinking about suicide).

Young children and teenage victims might develop negative eating habits, begin living an over-sexualized lifestyle, or engage in any form of risky behavior.

Seeking Victim Justice

Victims of sexual assault committed by clergymen can take legal action in a Georgia court to seek accountability and justice. An attorney working on behalf of the victim might be able to prove that the Roman Catholic Church in Georgia failed to protect vulnerable victims of assault.

In many incidents, church officials relocated the predator instead of ensuring the priest received that help he needed to ensure he did not victimize others.

The laws of Georgia permit surviving victims of sexual abuse to file a lawsuit against the sexual predator and any other entity that enabled the religious leader to do damage. However, victims only have a fixed time limit (Statute of Limitations) for submitting a claim for compensation.

Taking action now is a powerful tool to prevent further sexual abuse by priests and other clergymen.

Georgia Roman Catholic Church Diocese

In Georgia, the Catholic Church is the single largest religious group of all faiths statewide. The archdiocese, diocese, and their Bishops manage nearly 200 parishes and 206 Catholic schools across Georgia (listed below). The Church provides services to hundreds of thousands of registered Catholics living in 159 counties.

Georgia Dioceses

Catholic Diocese of Savannah
2170 E Victory Dr.
Savannah, GA 31404
(912) 201-4100

Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta
2401 Lake Park Dr. SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(404) 920-7800

Georgia Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers are Ready to Help

Our network of attorneys understands how difficult it is to speak out about what a shameful clergy member did to you. We know that the church uses its power to push back and say that what happened was not wrong. However, with Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, on your side, you will never stand there alone.

We will ensure that all those responsible will hear your shocking story when we settle your case or present evidence at trial.

Let us start working on your lawsuit today. Speak to us now so we can file all the necessary paperwork. Moving forward and beginning the process can help ensure no one else is ever sexually abused by a religious authority again.

We will obtain a monetary recovery on your behalf while protecting your rights. Contact us now at (888) 424-5757. All information you share during an initial, free consultation concerning your case will remain confidential.