San Diego Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer

People often turn to religion to gain a sense of community and connection, of belonging to something greater. What if that sense of comfort and connection is shattered by abusive sexual acts? What if your role as a believer turns into the role of a survivor at the hands of clergy members?

Religious sexual abuse takes advantage of a person’s faith and threatens their relationship to their community of support. Because churches are institutions that work to maintain their hierarchy, reports of abuse are often disregarded or covered up. When that happens, predators are able to hide within the halls of your church, endangering other innocent worshipers.

We at the Pride Law Firm have dedicated our careers to helping survivors of sexual abuse and assault regain their power and find peace through the justice system. We believe you, and we are here to help you hold abusers and their enablers accountable. Reach out to us at our San Diego offices online or by calling (619) 516-8166 as soon as possible.

“There is no one better at trauma-informed lawyering than Jessica Pride. I highly recommend her law firm to anyone who is ready to fight for justice and take back their power. She is a force of nature in the courtroom and a supportive voice for SA survivors.”

- Gina M. | Client

What Is Church Sexual Abuse?

When a person in a position of religious authority exploits a churchgoer in order to satisfy their own desires, it is considered church sexual abuse. This includes individuals in any sort of power position, such as a priest, minister, rabbi, pastor, or imam.

Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, includes any unwanted sexual contact. This includes inappropriate touching, fondling, use of pornography, sexually suggestive activities, nakedness, and sexual assault.

When sexual abuse occurs in a place of worship, it’s often confusing for survivors because they were most likely exploited by a person they looked up to and trusted. If this describes your experience or if you know someone who has been taken advantage of by a clergy member, we can help you understand what has happened to you. Contact a San Diego clergy sexual abuse attorney at our firm online or by calling (619) 516-8166. 

Your Story Is Safe With Us

Speaking up about church sexual abuse takes strength. When you're ready to talk to a San Diego clergy sexual abuse lawyer, know that everything you share with us is 100% confidential. In this short video, our attorney explains how we protect your privacy and why putting survivors first is always our top priority.

About San Diego Clergy Abuse

Sadly, San Diego is not immune to the widespread issue of clergy sexual abuse. Lawsuits have been filed against various religious institutions in our city, including the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego. 

In 2007, the San Diego Diocese agreed to a $198.1 million settlement to resolve 144 claims of sexual abuse by 48 priests. This was the second-largest payment by a diocese in the U.S. at the time. The diocese also released a list of priests with "credible accusations" of sexual abuse. 

While this scandal primarily involved the Catholic Church, sexual abuse has also been reported in other faiths in San Diego, including the Mormon and Jewish communities.

Most recently, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) has been named in nearly 100 sexual abuse claims for adult survivors of childhood sexual assault. Several of these lawsuits involve abuse that allegedly occurred in San Diego County, including five new plaintiffs who claim they were sexually assaulted by high-ranking LDS leaders such as bishops and home teachers.

Notable Cases and Accused Clergy Members in San Diego

The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego has released a list of priests who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse. These are just some of the individuals who have faced legal action or accusations in our area. They include:

• Monsignor Rudolph Galindo: Accused of molesting young boys, including altar boys, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Otay Mesa in the 1960s.
• Monsignor William Armstrong Kraft: Accused of abusing multiple children at different San Diego parishes, including St. Therese and Good Shepherd, during the 1960s and 70s. The diocese was accused of moving him from one parish to another despite complaints.
• Reverend Robert S. Koerner: Accused of molesting several children at St. Patrick's Parish in Calipatria.
• Monsignor Gregory Sheridan: A lawsuit filed in 2019 alleged that he sexually molested three young girls at their San Diego church when they were children.

You can find additional names of credibly accused priests here.

The existence of such a long history of abuse and institutional cover-ups in our own city underscores the importance of coming forward. Our San Diego clergy abuse lawyers are ready to stand with you and fight for the justice you deserve.

Places of worship should be safe havens to lay your troubles down and embrace your faith. But what if that safe place turns into a setting for abuse? When that happens, a San Diego clergy sexual abuse attorney can help you hold the perpetrator and institutions accountable.

How Common Is Religious Abuse?

It is difficult to determine how common religious sexual abuse is because roughly 2 out of every 3 sexual abuse incidents are never reported. National statistics show that 63% of adult sexual assaults are not reported to authorities, and only 12% of child sexual abuse crimes are reported to the police.

Here’s what we do know about the occurrence of religious sexual abuse:

• Hundreds of thousands have been sexually abused by Catholic clergy in recent decades, including the Eastern Orthodox church
• Protestant Christian churches have also come under scrutiny for worldwide sexual abuse of adults and children, including the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and the Mormon (LDS) Church
• Child sexual abuse lawsuits are filed in the Orthodox Jewish community as well
• Abuse of women is prevalent in the Muslim faith, as highlighted by the #MosqueMeToo movement
• The more that sexual abuse is covered up, the more common it becomes. Sexual abuse causes long-term harm in children and creates generational trauma for adults.

Church sexual abuse can also target specific groups within the congregation, such as teenagers, males, or immigrants.

By speaking out and pursuing justice for yourself, you can help expose predators, prevent future abuse, and clean up the church you rely on for solace and spiritual guidance.

Regardless of faith, no religious organization is exempt from the risk of sexual abuse. We believe you, and what happened was not your fault. Contact the attorneys at the Pride Law Firm online or at (619) 516-8166 to tell your story and discuss your options for justice.

What Are the Effects of Church Sexual Abuse?

Whether the abuse happened decades ago or weeks ago, survivors experience a range of emotions. This can include anger, sorrow, rage, or even fear — fear of speaking out, of repercussion, or blame. These are all normal emotional reactions to abuse.

Survivors share many of the same feelings:

• Guilt about what happened
• Self-blame
• Difficulty with adult sexual relationships
• Trouble setting boundaries
• Struggles with self-esteem

Survivors of church sexual abuse often carry the pain long after the abuse has stopped. Some common long-term effects include:

• Constant anxiety or fear
• Depression and mood swings
• Trouble sleeping or nightmares
• Flashbacks or feeling like it’s happening all over again
• Panic attacks or sudden feelings of dread
• Feeling numb or disconnected (dissociation)
• Avoiding people, places, or situations (isolation or phobias)
• Difficulty trusting others or forming close relationships
• Physical pain with no clear cause
• Self-harm, substance use, or disordered eating
• A deep sense of helplessness or shame

If you’re an adult survivor, chances are you’ve kept feelings inside for a long time. Perhaps you have tried to tell someone who didn’t believe you, or you don’t have someone you feel you could trust. The effects of the trauma might still be emotionally impacting you.

There are over 3,000 religious organizations and churches across the greater San Diego area, including San Diego, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, and Poway. With so many institutions, it's vital to recognize that abuse can and does happen here. Survivors often feel isolated, especially when the abuse involves a trusted religious figure. But you’re not alone, and you’re not without options.

Recovering from this experience can begin with telling someone and seeking professional help from an experienced San Diego church sexual abuse lawyer. Take the first step and reach out to us at (619) 516-8166 or fill out our online form— we will take care of the rest.

What Should You Do if You’ve Been Sexually Abused at Church?

If you’ve been a survivor of church sexual assault or abuse:

• Do not return to the church for now. Even if you would find the place or the community comforting, religious leadership may try to protect their own reputation and dissuade you from contacting the police or taking further action.
• Speak with a sexual assault attorney. Your attorney will help you understand your options moving forward and will explain how the legal process will look. At the Pride Law Firm, we offer free, 100% confidential consultations to discuss your individual matters and answer any questions you may have.
• Seek care and counseling. Beginning to process your feelings and talking with a counselor can help tremendously. Compensation from a lawsuit can help provide valuable means to meet with the top specialists in their field.
• Many states across the country have been changing their laws to hold abusers accountable. Where you live makes a difference. Here is a guide to the laws in your state.

Any person who’s received unwanted sexual attention or advances is a survivor of sexual abuse. Secondary survivors are those who indirectly experience the church leader’s sexual misconduct, such as spouses, children, and fellow churchgoers. If you, your spouse, or your children are among the survivors, we can help you get the peace and justice you deserve.

Listen to attorney Jessica Pride share how our firm helped secure a $116 million settlement for survivors of sexual abuse at a federal women’s prison. The patterns of abuse and cover-up in that case echo what many survivors face in religious institutions. No system is too powerful to be held accountable:

Can You Sue a Priest? Can You Sue a Church?

The answer to both is yes — if you have been abused by a priest, pastor, rabbi, imam, or other clerical leader, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against them. A California priest abuse lawyer can assist you in pursuing legal action against a specific individual.

If you have been harmed by a church, temple, or mosque, you may be able to sue the institution itself and any decision-makers whose negligence directly injured you. Examples of such negligence include placing a known predator in your path, lying or destroying evidence of sexual abuse, or failing to report what they witnessed or heard to the proper authorities.

How a San Diego Church Sexual Abuse Attorney Can Help You

Taking legal action against a religious institution is not easy. These organizations often hold deep influence within families, communities, and even the legal system itself. For many survivors, faith was once a safe place, which makes the betrayal even harder to face. Speaking out can feel impossible when the abuser is protected by power, tradition, or silence.

Here’s how we can help:

• Explain Your Rights in Simple Terms: California has extended the time limits for survivors to file a lawsuit. We’ll go over what that means for you, and whether you may have a case against both the person who hurt you and the institution that allowed it to happen.
• Investigate and Gather the Evidence: We’ll take care of collecting records, witness statements, and any other information needed to build a strong case on your behalf.
• Handle the Legal Side of Things: You won’t have to talk to the church or their lawyers because we’ll do that for you. Whether it’s negotiating a fair settlement or preparing for trial, we’ll always keep your best interests front and center.
• Stand Up for You in Court, If Needed: If a settlement isn’t possible, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court in San Diego and fight for the justice you deserve.
• Connect You With the Right Support: Legal action is just one piece of the journey. If you need a therapist, counselor, or support group, we can help connect you to professionals who understand the unique trauma that comes from religious abuse.

What Types of Compensation Can a San Diego Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorney Recover for Me?

Calculating compensation in an abuse case can be complex, but an experienced California clergy sexual abuse lawyer can provide guidance. Each case is unique, so there is no one number that describes an average church sexual abuse lawsuit settlement.

Here are examples of compensation that survivors can claim:

• Medical costs, including psychological treatment
• Lost wages and a loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering, including emotional distress and conditions like PTSD
• Punitive awards, which are financial penalties to punish wrongdoers and deter future abuses
• Wrongful death compensation for family members of those who were lost to suicide

What you receive from a settlement or verdict is based on your specific losses and the ability of your San Diego religious sexual abuse lawyer to translate those losses into monetary figures that the court can understand.

Contact an Experienced San Diego Religious Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Clergy members who sexually assault or molest those who look up to them must be held accountable for their criminal acts. Statistics show that sexual predators continue their abuse until they are caught. Not only can filing a lawsuit offer significant closure for yourself, but it can also ensure your perpetrator does not have the chance to hurt someone else.

Why Hire the Pride Law Firm

At The Pride Law Firm, we are more than just legal advocates — we are trusted friends to those who have suffered the heartbreaking reality of church sexual abuse. We will guide you through each step, and you will never be alone. Managing partner Jessica Pride has been fighting on behalf of survivors of sexual assault for more than ten years. She and her team have secured justice for hundreds of individuals and families, helping them heal and move forward to brighter futures.

If you have suffered sexual assault in a religious setting, contact us today at (619) 516-8166 or online. Your information remains in strict confidence, and all initial legal consultations are free and without obligation. Besides finding justice for your wounds, you can help end the cycle of abuse by coming forward to create a better future for yourself and others after you.

Proudly Representing Survivors Across the State of California