South Carolina Attorneys Investigating Sexual Assault Claims Against the Roman Catholic Church Diocese

Some Roman Catholic priests use their dominant position to violate their trust and victimize young adults, teenagers, and children through sexual abuse, inappropriate touching and fondling. The Church has investigated and found credible allegations of sexual molestation committed by clerics, tutors, coaches, teachers, and other religious leaders.

Unfortunately, church officials have been covering up sexual abuse cases involving predatory priests for decades. Only recently have renewed efforts exposed a century of silence where the Church failed to take appropriate action to ensure priests who molested victims were held legally accountable.

It takes great courage for the sexually assaulted victim to speak out and identify the one that caused them harm. If you were molested or have a loved one victimized through abuse, the compassionate network of affiliate attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, can help.

Our caring team of legal experts will fight to protect your rights and provide a safe place to speak openly about what occurred. Our clergy sexual abuse injury attorneys are ready to listen to your story in confidence. We have a comprehensive understanding of South Carolina tort law and will use the legal system to ensure the predatory priest faces the consequences they deserve for their unacceptable behavior.

Sexual Assault Involving Clergy is Still a Problem

In March 2019, the Charleston Diocese identified forty-two South Carolinian Catholic priests credibly accused of sexually assaulting underage minors. Eleven of those alleged to have sexually assaulted children are still alive but not currently ministering parishioners as a religious authority.

While the list was essential to identify sexual predator priests in the community, it failed to estimate how many victims had been molested. Some accusations occurred during the 1950s. The record did not detail which religious leaders were part of an ongoing criminal investigation or the subject of civil lawsuits.

The Devastating Effects of Sexual Assault

Some of the trauma associated with sexual abuse when the victim is young often results in severe consequences, psychological damage, physical harm, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition to psychological and emotional problems, the survivor may live with long-term health outcomes through a depressed immune system caused by depression and anxiety.

Some victims of sexual molestation develop type II diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, lung cancer, cardiac disease, ulcers, and fibromyalgia. Sadly, some victims take their life years or decades after the incident occurred.

Get Justice Now

In 2007, the Charleston Roman Catholic Diocese agreed to an out of court settlement of approximately $12 million to resolve civil litigation involving victims and child sex abuse by religious leaders. The previous year, church officials revealed nearly four dozen credible sexual assault allegations occurring in South Carolina beginning in the 1950s to the present time. The claims involved twenty-one priests and two deacons.

The sexual abuse cases in the Roman Catholic Church in South Carolina are only the tip of the iceberg. Nationally, sexual abuse survivors filed more than 10,600 claims involving cases dating back more than seven decades ago.

South Carolina Roman Catholic Church Diocese

In South Carolina, the Catholic Church is the single largest religious group of all faiths statewide. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston and its Bishop manage more than 115 Churches and thirty-three Catholic schools throughout the state (listed below), providing services to thousands of registered Catholics, parochial school children, and catechism students living in forty-six counties.

South Carolina Dioceses

Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston
901 Orange Grove Rd
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 261-0420

South Carolina Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorneys Are Ready to Help

Our network of affiliate attorneys understands the challenges you face when talking about the clergy member’s vile actions that caused you harm. We know the power of the Catholic Church and how hard it fights back, saying nothing wrong happened.

However, with Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, on your side, you will never face Church officials or their attorneys alone. We can assure you that your shocking story will be heard by all those responsible when settling your case or presenting evidence at trial.

Let us begin working on your case today by filing all the necessary paperwork before the South Carolina statute of limitations expires. Taking legal action against a clergy member could stop the sexual assault of others in the future.

We will successfully resolve your case, obtain financial compensation, and protect your rights. Contact us now at (888) 424-5757. All information you share during an initial, free consultation concerning your case will remain confidential.