Survivors of child sexual abuse involving the Catholic Church in Nevada should report the incidents to the proper authorities. As the Archdiocese of Las Vegas advises, anyone who suspects abuse by clergy members and others should first report it to law enforcement, such as the police, and make a criminal complaint. After reporting the abuse to the civil authorities, they can contact a victim assistance coordinator with the church.
If the abuse involves a bishop or archbishop in the dioceses in Las Vegas or Reno, NV, survivors should contact the Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service at ReportBishopAbuse.org or call 1-800-276-1562. The archdiocese advises survivors to share the bishop’s name so the report can be sent to the right church. If you or a loved one makes the call, you can anonymously report the individual’s name. The service’s website states that the report will remain confidential but will be sent to officials at the church and possibly law enforcement if warranted.
Other Ways to Report Sexual Abuse in the Nevada Catholic Church
Survivors can also report Catholic Church clergy sex abuse in Nevada to the state’s Child Welfare and Child Protective Services if the abuse involves a minor.
They can also report the abuse to a hotline, a mental health professional, or a Nevada sexual abuse lawyer who can connect them to resources and information about their legal options.
For a free legal consultation, call (725) 900-9000
Catholic Clergy Sex Abuse in Nevada
Sexual abuse involving clergy members, educators, employees, and others in the Catholic Church has been widely reported across the United States. In recent years, the Catholic Dioceses of Las Vegas and Reno have each identified clergy members accused of sexually abusing minors. According to a Las Vegas Review-Journal article, the diocese of Reno named 12 priests as “credibly accused” of sexual abuse in 2019. The Archdiocese of Las Vegas also released its list of accused clergy in 2019. At that time, 33 people were on its credibly accused list, as the Associated Press reports.
Child sex abuse survivors continue to come forward and file lawsuits against individuals and institutions that engaged in abuse or encouraged it by covering it up. If you or a loved one wants to seek legal action and file a civil sexual abuse lawsuit, you can meet with a Nevada personal injury lawyer who handles these clergy sexual abuse cases. They can review your options and next steps with you.
How a Nevada Attorney Can File Your Clergy Abuse Lawsuit
Survivors who have experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, molestation, and other sex crimes from church leaders and others have experienced one of the deepest violations of trust, especially when they experienced this betrayal as a child. People suffer greatly in various ways after going through this traumatic experience.
Working with an attorney can bring a sense of closure and peace as survivors fight back and hold individuals and institutions accountable for their abuse against minors.
A Nevada sexual abuse attorney will take legal action for their client and:
Identify the Damages Suffered
Before an abuse lawyer can demand financial compensation in an injury case, they must assess their client’s losses due to the abuse they endured. While the damages in each case differ, common ones in these cases include:
- Pain and suffering, including mental anguish, emotional distress, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Current and future medical treatment and rehabilitative care
- Therapy and counseling fees
- Lost income or loss of future earning capacity
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
- Impaired quality of life
- Other out-of-pocket costs and related damages
All listed damages require documentation, which an abuse lawyer will use to build and prove their client’s case. Such evidence can include:
- Medical records, doctor’s notes
- Police reports or incident reports
- Eyewitness testimony
- Expert witness statements
- Surveillance footage
- Written or electronic communications
Explain How Nevada’s Civil Statute of Limitations Deadline Affects Your Case
Survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Nevada can now seek legal action and sue all liable parties for the harm caused, regardless of how many years have passed since the incidents occurred. In June 2023, the state signed SB129 into law, removing the time limit for adult survivors of sexual abuse. This allows them more time to seek to recover justice when they feel they can.
If you or a loved one ran out of time to file a lawsuit or were told you couldn’t because the previous two-year deadline ran out, you can review your situation with an attorney who can explain your options now that the law has changed. Whether the perpetrator in your case has a pending criminal trial or not, you can seek civil action, which is separate from the criminal case.
Review Possible Liable Parties That Could Owe You Damages
An attorney will review your case and list all parties who could owe you monetary compensation. These can include:
- Priests
- Bishops
- Cardinals
- Teachers
- Counselors
- Supervisors
- Employees
- Volunteers
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Filing an Anonymous Sex Abuse Lawsuit Against the Catholic Church in Nevada
Taking a legal stand against the Catholic Church is a big decision, and there is much to consider, including one’s privacy. These cases often contain personal details that some are uncomfortable sharing with the public. Plaintiffs concerned about this matter but still want to take legal action against the Catholic Church for sexual abuse can discuss filing a lawsuit under a pseudonym, a fictitious name.
This option is rarely granted, as court cases are public records. However, rare doesn’t mean never, and Nevada law supports such a filing. NRS § 200.3772 outlines the procedure survivors can follow for using a pseudonym in place of their real name on files, records, and reports about the sexual offense(s).
Plaintiffs who use a pseudonym when suing for Catholic Church sexual abuse should be aware that while their identifying information will be kept confidential, the defendant and their attorney have a legal right to this information. If they waive confidentiality about their identity in writing, then the law doesn’t apply.
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Van Law Firm Can Represent You in a Nevada Catholic Sex Abuse Case
We help survivors of childhood clergy sexual abuse fight for their recovery against those who harmed them. If you or a loved one is ready to take the next step to report Catholic Church sex abuse in Nevada and take legal action, we will help you.
We litigate these cases with compassion, respect, and care. We will investigate your case, gather evidence to prove it, and fight for the financial recovery that covers your losses. You deserve a new beginning. Contact us today for a free, private consultation.
No obligation consultations are always free.
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