Missouri Church Sexual Abuse Lawyer

The last place anyone might expect sexual abuse to exist is in church. Yet, sadly, many members of the clergy and church officials have been found guilty of sexually assaulting and abusing parishioners – especially children. Moreover, churches themselves have been accused of protecting their own interests rather than victims, such as by concealing known incidents of sexual abuse by clergy members.

If you or a loved one is a survivor of church sexual abuse in Missouri, help is available. Contact an attorney at DRZ Law to discuss your legal options during a free and 100-percent confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our lawyers can help you seek the justice that you deserve.

Why Choose DRZ Law?

• We are a trial law firm that can take church sexual abuse and assault cases in Missouri to court. We are not afraid of going up against powerful religious institutions and dioceses.
• Our sexual abuse and assault attorneys have obtained compensation for 100 percent of their clients. We have collected millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
• At DRZ Law, we will always believe you. We understand how emotional it can be to go up against a church for failing to protect you. We will stand by you every step of the way.

What Is Church Sexual Abuse?

Church sexual abuse refers to an incident or pattern of sexual assault or other sex crimes committed by one or more parties that are connected to the victim’s church, such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, minister, church administrator, youth group leader, bishop or elders. Church sexual abuse can refer to crimes such as:

• Child molestation
• Child pornography
• Exposing a child to pornography
• Exposing one’s genitals in front of a child
• Forced oral copulation
• Performing sex acts in front of a child
• Putting objects inside a victim’s vagina, anus or mouth
• Rape, statutory rape or attempted rape
• Sodomy
• Touching a child’s genitals
• Touching of a victim’s private parts

Church sexual abuse cases do not only involve the individual sex offender or sexual predator. They often also involve complacency or the failure to act by the religious institution itself. If church leaders knew or had reason to know of sexual abuse taking place within the church, they have a legal duty to report the offender. Unfortunately, many churches are more concerned with protecting their reputations than their parishioners.

Examples of Church Sexual Abuse in Missouri

Recently, a Missouri Catholic priest by the name of Father Michael Scully was suspended on allegations of child sexual abuse. Scully’s priesthood included assignments in Lawrence, Missouri at St. John the Evangelist Parish and the Haskell Indian Nations University Catholic Center, as well as Holy Family Parish in Eudora. Law enforcement is currently investigating allegations against him, as well as potential cover-ups by Scully and his supervisors and colleagues at the church.

The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph released a list of accused clergy in 2019 dating back to the start of the diocese in 1956. The report named 24 priests with credible accusations against them for sexually abusing minors, 19 of which were part of the diocese. Three others formerly worked in the diocese before moving to other jurisdictions. Thirteen of the named priests were deceased by the time the list was released, four have been dismissed from the clergy and two were permanently removed from ministry. With one exception, all cases involved in the report occurred prior to 1990.

Request a Free and Confidential Case Evaluation Today

Sexual abuse in church can lead to significant physical, mental and emotional harm for victims. At DRZ Law, we are committed to seeking justice for victims of church sexual abuse in Missouri. If you or a loved one has suffered from this crime, please contact us at (913) 400-2033 for a free private consultation. The individual perpetrator and/or church may be financially responsible for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. We can advocate for your rights and best interests during this difficult time.