You have the absolute right to fight for justice and compensation if you are the victim of sex abuse in the Mormon Church. There are a number of steps that you can take that can protect your rights in these cases of abuse involving church leaders within the LDS community.
If you are able to gather any evidence of sexual abuse that could help support your case, you should do so right away. Evidence of sexual abuse can be any communication via text or email between you and your abuser, witness statements, or anything else that is relevant to your case. There may even be others who suffered abuse by the same perpetrator.
If the abuse happened recently, consider going to a doctor or a therapist. This cannot only help you with your recovery process, but having a doctor or psychologist’s report can also help you prove a potential claim and demand accountability in the church.
Hire a Sex Abuse Lawyer
Getting in touch with a sex abuse lawyer can be a great first step in helping you protect your rights and engage the services of a victim’s advocate. Your lawyer will work hard to pursue justice as well as compensation on your behalf. A sex abuse lawyer may also know where you can find assistance and resources locally that can help you with your recovery, one of them being the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN).
Legal Guidance
When it comes to legal recourse, your lawyer can determine whether you are within the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit in your state. States have various timelines for filing lawsuits, and in some cases, these timelines prevent victims from filing suit.
Your lawyer will look at your case in great detail in order to find out which legal options you have and what the best approach might be for protecting your rights. They can help you gather the evidence needed to build a case against a sexual predator. However, not having any tangible evidence is not unusual in sexual abuse cases. If the only evidence of the crime is your testimony, your lawyer can discuss a strategy with you to help you still hold the perpetrator to account.
Negotiating Settlements
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), many civil lawsuits never make it to trial and are instead brought to an end with an out-of-court settlement. This may be a good choice for the victim and the defendant, as it will keep the case out of the public eye and, in some instances, can be a quicker way to recover compensation. However, you should let a lawyer handle these negotiations in order to protect your rights. The other side may try to take advantage of you if you do not have adequate legal counsel to act as a victim’s advocate. Your lawyer will know your damages, determine the financial value of your case, and negotiate with the other side.
Sex abuse cases can be tough to litigate. However, having a Mormon Church sex abuse lawyer by your side can help in protecting your rights and fighting t for what you deserve.
You Could Pursue Victim’s Compensation
Protecting your rights when seeking justice can help you recover damages. If you had to endure sexual abuse at the hands of a Mormon Church member, you could potentially recover compensatory and punitive damages. Compensation depends on your individual case and the damaging effect that the sex abuse had on your life. Types of victim’s compensation could include, for example:
- Medical expenses
- Therapy
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of life enjoyment
You could also receive punitive damages, for example, if the Church was grossly negligent or protected the abuser who went on to commit further offenses. Your Mormon Church abuse sex lawyer can help you find out which damages may apply in your individual case.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-794-0444
Call Us Today for Help
While there are some actions you can take to protect your rights in a Mormon Church sex abuse case, it can be a good idea to hire a sex abuse lawyer who can work on protecting your rights immediately. Being a victim of sexual abuse can be devastating, no matter how long ago the offense took place. A lawyer can shelter you from attempts by the other side to discredit your testimony.
Do not wait, and contact us today for help with your Mormon Church sex abuse case. The sooner you take action and find professional help, the sooner you could potentially receive compensation and move on with your life.
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a free evaluation of your case now at (800) 219-9622.
Call or text 800 -794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
