Cooper Elliott understands how easy it is for clergy to misuse their positions of power. Unfortunately, the temptation of power can lead many trusted community figures to financially, emotionally, and physically abuse victims in the name of a higher power. That’s why our Columbus clergy abuse lawyers offer our services – we want to help victims reclaim their power.
Our civil rights lawyers in Columbus, OH, have almost 30 years of experience advocating for Buckeyes like you. We understand how betrayed you may feel in the wake of a clergy’s abuse. We’re here to help you get the justice you deserve. Your efforts in speaking out may protect other people like you from similar harm – and it can get you the compensation you need to recover.
How to Identify Clergy Abuse
People in a position of religious power hold considerable ethical and social sway over the people who trust them. That trust, when paired with social pressures, can make it difficult for the average person to identify clergy abuse. However, there are signs that may give abuse away, including the following:
- A perpetual sense of discomfort when in the presence of one or more clergy members
- A person’s unexplained changes in personality or attitude
- Sudden changes in a person’s financial situation
- Unexplained bruises, fractures, broken bones, or other injuries
Classifying Different Types of Abuse
The abuses a person can face in a religious environment are many and varied. Some of the most common types of abuse include the following:
- Sexual abuse: The category of sexual abuse allows survivors to hold clergy people accountable for any non-consensual molestation, rape, coerced sexual acts, or sexual assault.
- Emotional and psychological abuse: Emotional abuse in a religious setting may include coercion, intimidation, and/or manipulation enacted by a person with more power than a victim.
- Physical abuse: Physical abuse in a religious environment includes the enactment of corporal punishment, physical assault, battery, or any behaviors that cause injury, pain, or the threat thereof to a victim.
- Financial abuse: Financial abuse can see clergy people misuse facility funds, refuse to engage in financial transparency, improperly access facility finances, or submit inconsistent financial records. Likewise, anyone approached, pressured, or intimidated into providing a facility with additional funding may file a claim citing the institution’s financial abuse as a source of strife.
If you’re not sure whether or not you’re a survivor of any of these types of abuses, consider booking a free, no-obligation case evaluation with our clergy abuse attorneys in Columbus. We can assess your circumstances and recommend action according to our findings.
For a free legal consultation with a clergy abuse lawyer serving Columbus, call 614-481-6000
Our Columbus Clergy Abuse Lawyers Gather Evidence of Mistreatment on Your Behalf
Under no circumstances are you obligated to re-enter an environment where you suffered consistent abuse. When it comes time to investigate the nature of your clergy abuse case, our team can put our boots on the ground.
We have experience working with industry professionals who can use a wide range of data to build out the narrative of your mistreatment. Our efforts allow you to meet Ohio’s burden of proof without re-traumatizing yourself.
We Can Connect You With Officers Who Can Pursue a Criminal Case in Your Name
Our Columbus, OH, clergy abuse attorneys cannot open a criminal investigation into religious abuse. However, we can connect you with professionals who can pursue criminal charges against your abusers. In some cases, the evidence we use to hold someone financially accountable for your recovery can play a role in a criminal case.
What’s more, a criminal investigation into your mistreatment may make it easier for you to get the financial support you need to recover. If an Ohio criminal court finds your abuser guilty of breaking the law, we can submit the court’s conviction to a civil judge. That conviction can serve as evidence of negligence, thereby allowing you to demand compensation for your losses.
Columbus Clergy Abuse Lawyer Near Me 614-481-6000
We Advocate for Your Right to Abuse Compensation
It’s an attorney’s job to help you get compensated for the abuses you faced. When you work with our team, you have the right to request financial compensation for your:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Systemic isolation
- Stress
- Reduced quality of life
- Physical injuries and medical care
- Temporary or permanent disabilities
- Mental health care
- Lost wages
- Property damage
You can read more about the settlements we’ve won on behalf of abuse victims courtesy of our results page.
Click to contact our Columbus Civil Rights Lawyers today
You don’t Have to Fight Against Clergy Abuse on Your Own
We understand that it takes a lot of courage to stand up to abusers cradled in positions of power. That’s why we want to help you with your fight. Our representation involves Ohio courts in your case, thereby threatening abusers with legal consequences if they attempt to retaliate against you.
Moreover, our involvement in your case can put a safe distance between you, an abuser, and any aids that abuser may have. The more distance you can put between bad actors and yourself, the safer you’ll feel, and the easier it will be to fight for the justice you deserve.
We can also prevent clergy people or religious institutions from intimidating you out of legal action or offering you hush money settlements that compromise your legal rights.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Your First Case Consultation With Cooper Elliott Comes Free of Charge
You want to trust your faith leaders. Unfortunately, too many faith leaders are ready to abuse their positions of power. They can use that authority to misuse you financially, emotionally, and physically. Don’t let that injustice go unanswered.
You have the right to reach out to an attorney for legal support if you suspect you’re the victim of clergy abuse. Columbus, OH, attorneys can protect you from retaliation while you pursue legal action against a bad actor. We can also provide you with the resources you need to prompt police to investigate your mistreatment.
Cooper Elliott isn’t afraid of bullies, and we don’t back down from complicated cases. Let our lawyers protect you from clergy abuse today.
Call or text 614-481-6000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
