Sexual Abuse and Assault Lawyers in New Haven, CT

The sexual abuse lawyers in New Haven, Connecticut at McNamara & Goodman, LLP can help you if you or someone you love suffered sexual abuse. McNamara & Goodman, LLP has a successful track record in securing verdicts for victims of sex abuse. Attorney McNamara tried the only case to go to trial against the arched diocese of Hartford and secured a recovery for the plaintiff in the amount of $1,661,413.50. For example, our sexual abuse lawyers secured a $1,354,541 verdict for a victim sexually abused by a priest.

Unfortunately, many victims suffer in silence, either frightened to speak up or unaware that they have rights. For example, if you were a victim of sexual abuse, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses, as well as pain and suffering. If you were sexually abused as a child, you may still have the right to sue the institutions or churches where the abuse took place, even if the abuser has passed away. When victims speak up and hold institutions and individuals accountable for sexual abuse, they send a strong message to the community that sexual abuse will not be accepted nor tolerated. These cases also raise awareness of the issue and make it more likely that others will speak up. Many sexual abusers seldom abuse only one person. When one person speaks up, sometimes others find the courage to come forward. McNamara & Goodman, LLP is a sexual abuse law firm in New Haven, Connecticut that is here for families and victims. We offer discreet, compassionate, and caring legal help for sexual abuse victims and their families. You are not alone. It was not your fault.

Priest Sexual Abuse & Church Sex Abuse

According to the foremost experts in the area of Roman Catholic clergy sexual abuse, it is estimated that 10.7 % of Roman Catholic clergy in the United States have sexually abused a minor. They also believe this is a conservative number.

Further observations of these experts (former priests) are as follows:

1. Roman Catholic clergy from every continent, generation and color have sexually assaulted minors in the 20th century.
2. Roman Catholic bishops, abbots, and provincials practiced the “Geographic Solution” by moving known offenders to different locations rather than calling the police.
3. Roman Catholic clergy trained and ordained since the Zero Tolerance policy and the new Program for Priestly Formation were implemented have sexually assaulted minors in the United States since 2002.
4. The Stonebridge self-auditing and yearly reports from the United States Conference of Catholic BIshops continue to show that new priests are sexually assaulting minors.

If you were abused by a priest or were abused in a church setting, you may be wondering whether you have the right to pursue a sexual abuse lawsuit. Filing a lawsuit for sex abuse against a priest or clergy member can be incredibly challenging, and it is often wise to seek the help of a sexual abuse lawyer in New Haven, Connecticut like McNamara & Goodman, LLP. You may be wondering if you can pursue a lawsuit if the priest has passed away, or if many years have passed since you were sexually abused. Because of the sensitive nature of sex abuse cases, and because of the high level of authority priests have in the community, it is understandable why individuals might be reluctant to come forward about their abuse for many years.

While most sex abuse claims made against a priest will generally be made against the priest himself, it may also be possible to pursue a lawsuit against the church as an institutional sex abuse case. If the church failed to take action to stop a priest who repeatedly sexually abused different individuals, the church may also be held responsible for permitting the sex abuse to occur, or for creating or permitting an environment where sexual abuse could take place. If the church tried to cover up the sex abuse, or tried to silence victims, and there is evidence this occurred, you may be able to pursue a sex abuse claim against the church. Of course, gathering evidence against an institution, especially a church, can be challenging. If you or someone you love was sexually abused by a priest or was sexually abused by a person of authority in a church, you may have the right to pursue a lawsuit against the individual or the church. McNamara & Goodman, LLP is a sexual abuse law firm in New Haven, Connecticut that may be able to help you with your case.

Sexual Abuse in Schools and Other Community Centers in New Haven, Connecticut

 Another setting where individuals might suffer sex abuse can be a school setting, sports program, camp, or other community center. The sad reality is that the people who are sexually abused in these settings are often the most vulnerable members of the community: the children, the elderly, or the disabled. If you have a child in a school, or sports program and suspect that he or she is being sexually abused, consider reaching out to McNamara & Goodman, LLP, a sex abuse law firm in New Haven, Connecticut today. If you have a loved one in a nursing home or disabled family member enrolled in a community center and believe he or she is being sexually abused, remove him or her from the setting and consider reaching out to the sex abuse lawyers at McNamara & Goodman, LLP in New Haven, Connecticut today.

What are the signs that an individual or child might be suffering from sexual abuse in these settings? It can often be difficult to identify sex abuse when it happens. Any one single behavior, while indicative of sex abuse, doesn’t always mean sexual abuse is taking place. What are some signs of sex abuse? If your child or loved one suddenly starts acting differently, withdrawn, has trouble sleeping, or experiences major mood swings, this could potentially be a warning sign of sex abuse. If your child suddenly doesn’t want to go to school or if your formerly talkative loved one no longer speaks openly to you, this may be a warning sign that something isn’t right. If your younger child exhibits sudden new sexual behaviors, such as mimicking adult sexual behavior, or suddenly starts wetting the bed, or regressing to behaviors he or she exhibited when younger, this could also be a warning sign that something isn’t right.

If you suspect that your loved one may be a victim of sex abuse, it is important to act quickly. Make sure your loved one is safe, and then consider reaching out to the sex abuse lawyers in New Haven, Connecticut at McNamara & Goodman, LLP. Our sex abuse law firm can investigate the situation, help you get appropriate help for your loved one or child, and assist you with the next steps of your claim.

Contact a Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today

Victims of sexual abuse experience immense fear, shame, anger, sadness, and may suffer difficulties in their everyday lives. Sexual abuse can impact a whole family and a whole life. If you or someone you love was a victim of sex abuse, you may have the right to pursue a lawsuit against the individual or institution involved. For example, if your child was sexually abused at school, you may have the right to pursue a lawsuit against the school, or if your loved one was sexually abused in a nursing home, you may have the right to pursue a lawsuit against the nursing facility. However, sex abuse lawsuits can be complicated, and it can be helpful to have a sex abuse lawyer in New Haven, Connecticut on your side. Contact McNamara & Goodman, LLP, a sex abuse law firm today to learn more. We offer compassionate, caring, and discreet counsel to victims of sex abuse.