Treating Adult Survivors of Child Clergy Sexual Abuse with the Compassion and Sensitivity They Deserve

by Frank E. Lamothe, III

UPDATE (6/16/24): The Louisiana Supreme Court and the state legislature have reopened the courthouse doors through June 2027 for adult Louisianans subjected to childhood sexual assault. During that “lookback window,” survivors may bring claims and seek justice from their abusers.

 

For adult survivors of clergy sexual abuse, the trauma doesn’t end with the act itself. The physical violation you experienced as a child had a tremendous impact on your life and likely left you with deep feelings of mistrust, betrayal, doubt, and helplessness, perhaps even a loss of faith.

If you are a survivor of clergy or other sexual abuse, the first thing to know is that what you are feeling is normal. You experienced a profound violation of mind and body from someone in a trusted position of power. Your anger is justified, and your confusion is understandable. Many survivors struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, and self-loathing. And some wonder if it’s worth it to come forward—if they can trust anyone again—or if it even happened the way they think it did.

At Lamothe Law Firm, we understand how difficult it is to discuss sexual abuse and want you to feel empowered voicing your story. Here’s what you can expect when speaking to one of our attorneys about childhood clergy sexual abuse and what we do to help you feel safe while holding your perpetrator accountable.

A Safe, Secure, and Confidential Consultation

Finding an attorney is different from hiring a plumber. An attorney is someone with whom you’ll share intimate, emotional details and who will need access to some of your darkest moments. Because of the inherent vulnerability of this relationship, it’s just as important to have a lawyer you like and trust as one with experience.

We want to get to know you and your situation during your initial consultation. Here, we’ll listen to your story, review materials, and explain how successful we think a claim would be. This process also allows you to gauge your comfort level with us and decide whether we’re the right fit for you.

Anything you say during this meeting is strictly confidential—regardless of whether you hire us—and cannot be used to influence your decision in any way.

We Can Protect Your Identity

Sexual abuse is a serious claim to make against anyone. But for a respected ecclesiastical leader, these accusations can be especially ruinous, upending lives, ruining careers, and resulting in criminal charges. This puts brave survivors in a challenging, volatile, and potentially dangerous situation.

Your fear of retribution is both understandable and completely valid. The risks are genuine, but they shouldn’t keep you from pursuing justice—especially if your efforts can protect others from the same fate.

If you are uncomfortable using your real name in, most sexual abuse claims can be filed using a pseudonym. This protects your identity and keeps your name out of the public record.

Call In or Write Us Anonymously with Questions

We want you to feel comfortable telling your story—whatever that looks like. If you aren’t comfortable sharing your identity even for an initial consultation, we welcome the opportunity to answer your questions anonymously over the phone. Call our office and ask to speak with one of our experienced sexual abuse attorneys.

If you are in a situation where even phone calls are not an option, we can also review a written account of your story.

You Don’t Pay Anything Upfront

The decision to seek justice against a childhood clergy sexual offender shouldn’t come with a price tag. At Lamothe Law Firm, we want you to feel empowered by your journey—not limited by financial worries—which is why you don’t pay upfront fees for civil sexual abuse claims.

Instead, we handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we win. This gives you the peace of mind knowing that when we take a case, we believe it is backed by solid legal precedent and a strong chance of success.

Are You an Adult Survivor Struggling With the Trauma of Childhood Clergy Sexual Abuse?

If you’re a survivor of clergy or other sexual abuse, we want to hear from you. Contact Lamothe Law Firm today and let our team of experienced attorneys fight for your rights with the compassion and sensitivity your story deserves.

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