Religious Institution Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Faith should be a source of comfort, community, and protection. But for countless survivors, religious institutions have become sites of profound betrayal, exploitation, and abuse. If you or a loved one was sexually abused by a clergy member, religious volunteer, staff person, or leader within a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or other faith-based organization, you are not alone—and you have legal options.

The New York religious institution sexual abuse attorneys at AWK Survivor Advocate Attorneys represent survivors in cases involving the Catholic Church, Protestant denominations, Jewish organizations, Islamic centers, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormon Church, and any other religious body operating in New York State and nationwide.

According to research and investigative reports:

• Over 6,000 Catholic clergy have been credibly accused of abusing more than 17,000 minors in the United States since 1950 (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops data).
• The Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report (2018) identified over 300 predator priests and more than 1,000 identified victims in just six dioceses.
• Boy Scouts of America (closely tied to religious institutions) received over 80,000 claims of sexual abuse spanning decades.
• Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) estimates the true number of survivors of religious institutional abuse is in the hundreds of thousands.

When a church, synagogue, or religious organization covers up abuse, transfers known predators, or fails to protect the vulnerable, it can be held legally liable—just like any other institution.

Religious institution sexual abuse includes any unwanted sexual contact, exploitation, or grooming that occurs:

• During religious education (CCD, Sunday school, Hebrew school)
• In confession, counseling, or pastoral visits
• At summer camps, retreats, or mission trips
• In rectories, parsonages, temples, or church vehicles
• Through youth groups, choirs, or altar server programs

Perpetrators may include:

• Priests, pastors, ministers, rabbis, imams
• Nuns, monks, or religious brothers/sisters
• Youth group leaders, camp counselors, or volunteers
• Seminary teachers or religious school staff
• Bishops, cardinals, or other high-ranking officials who enabled abuse

Children and adults in faith communities often struggle to report abuse because of shame, fear of not being believed, or pressure to protect the institution. Warning signs include:

If you notice these signs in yourself or a loved one, trust your instincts. Faith should never be used as a weapon to silence survivors.

1. Believe the survivor – Listen without judgment. Do not ask "why didn't you say something sooner."
2. Seek medical and mental health support – A trauma-informed therapist can help stabilize and document psychological injuries.
3. Report to law enforcement – Even if the abuse happened years ago, many jurisdictions now have extended or eliminated statutes of limitations.
4. Notify religious authorities – Be aware that internal church reporting systems are often designed to protect the institution, not survivors.
5. Contact a religious institution abuse attorney – An experienced lawyer can help you navigate revival windows, preserve evidence, and hold both the perpetrator and the institution accountable.

Do not sign anything from the church. Many religious institutions offer confidential settlements with non-disclosure agreements that may limit your rights. Speak with an attorney first.

Survivors of clergy and faith-based abuse often experience unique and devastating long-term consequences, including:

• Spiritual trauma – Loss of faith, fear of God, or inability to enter religious spaces
• PTSD, anxiety, and depression
• Chronic shame and self-blame (amplified by religious teachings on sin and forgiveness)
• Difficulty with trust and intimacy
• Suicidal ideation (rates are significantly higher among clergy abuse survivors)
• Financial instability due to years of untreated mental health issues

A civil lawsuit cannot undo the past, but it can provide compensation for lifelong therapy, a sense of justice, and institutional accountability that helps prevent future abuse.

Our religious institution abuse attorneys have over 30 years of combined experience representing survivors of clergy and faith-based abuse. We have taken on the largest religious organizations in the world—and won.

We also help survivors navigate state revival windows (like New York's Child Victims Act), diocese bankruptcies, and independent compensation funds to maximize recovery while protecting your privacy.

Your faith may have been broken, but your right to justice is sacred.