There can be no more profound betrayal of trust than when a member of the clergy abuses a minor. Unfortunately, these cases have become all too real for many families across the country and here in West Virginia. When the truth of the situation is revealed, the family often feels shocked, angry, and hopeless at once.
What needs to follow after an accusation has been made is accountability for the abuser and the institution that is in charge of them, and support for the survivor.
That accountability can begin with a discussion with an experienced Charleston sexual abuse lawyer. The attorneys at Forbes Law Offices have helped many families move forward after such a heinous crime. We have held church organizations accountable for their hiring practices, lack of supervision, and improper training.
First, the focus needs to be on the survivor of the abuse. Fortunately, there are many available resources for survivors of clergy abuse in West Virginia.
Immediate Support Services for West Virginia Abuse Survivors
Survivors of clergy abuse in West Virginia can access a variety of resources.
It’s understandable that a family might feel helpless and unsure how to help their child, and that’s why it is vital to speak with professionals.
These are the specific organizations and programs available to support survivors:
Immediate Support & Advocacy
For immediate support for your loved one, you can reach out to the following agencies:
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) offers a National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for free, 24/7 confidential crisis support.
West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services (WVFRIS) is to be connected with a local rape crisis center.
Survivor Networks
Helping a survivor of clergy sexual abuse is not something that can be accomplished in a single session. The healing journey will be different for everyone. Here are some of the survivor networks that specifically support survivors of clergy abuse.
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) at (877) 762-7432
Reporting & Official Channels
Under West Virginia law, abuse must be reported to civil authorities. You can file an official report 24/7 by calling the West Virginia Child Abuse Hotline (Centralized Intake) at 1-800-352-6513.
If the abuse occurred within the Catholic Church, you could also contact the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston victim assistance resources to report misconduct and receive pastoral care.
Understdwc.org/…f-safe-environment/how-to-reportanding the Role of Civil Litigation in Healing
When a family deals with an incident of abuse from a member of the clergy, there might be a sense of wanting to put the incident behind them. That is understandable, but there is still the issue of accountability to contend with.
Often, the only way to achieve that accountability is through civil litigation. If the abuse incident rises to the level of a criminal charge, it will be handled by the Prosecuting Attorney for the specific West Virginia county where the incident occurred. However, you don’t need to wait for the outcome of that criminal case to move forward with a civil complaint.
A civil complaint allows the survivor and their family to seek damages for tangible and intangible losses. Those include medical bills, long-term therapy costs, and pain and suffering.
In addition to the potential settlement available to a survivor, your lawsuit could uncover systemic failures. That can force organizations to reform and prevent future harm. If your actions can stop someone else’s family from going through this trauma, it will be extremely valuable.
Getting the Right Support for Your Family from Forbes Law Offices
When abuse is discovered, it will take support from the entire family to help with the healing. However, qualified therapists are also available to help the survivor and the family process what has happened. On the legal side, support is also provided by the dedicated attorneys at Forbes Law Offices.
We understand how important it is for survivors to find closure. That can come from holding the abuser and their employer accountable. It can also happen when we can shut down that abuse from happening again.
Shedding light on these situations does not mean retraumatizing the survivor. Our attorneys approach each of these types of claims with the sensitivity and discretion they deserve.
If your family is dealing with this type of situation, we want to hear from you. Reach out to our offices to schedule a free consultation to get your questions answered.
We want to help with the healing.
