The Catholic Diocese of Savanna, Ga agreed to settle a sex abuse claim involving a former priest for $4.2 million.  The plaintiff, now a 40-year-old man, said he was molested by a priest starting when he was ten years old while a Catholic school student.  The plaintiff claimed that the Diocesan officials knew that the priest posed a danger to children but failed to take action.  Later, the priest was convicted for sexually abusing two boys.

Nationwide, the Catholic Church has paid tens of millions of dollars to settle these types of sexual abuse claims.  These types of claims are a reminder that a sexual abuse victim can hold institutions accountable if they were aware of a danger posed to children but failed to take action or ignored warning signs.

Victims of childhood sexual abuse often face long-term injuries.  The seriousness of childhood sexual abuse cannot be overstated because it can interfere with things like being able to work and develop relationships.

Depending on the circumstances surrounding the abuse, there may be a claim against the perpetrator and anyone else who allowed the abuse to occur.  Claims may be filed against individuals, including, but not limited to:

• Clergy
• Teachers
• Scout Leaders
• Doctors
• Family Members
• Acquaintances

Claims against entities or organizations may include:

• Employers
• Schools
• Religious Organizations
• Charitable Groups
• Other Entities at Which the Abuse Occurs

The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that documents related to clergy sexual abuse cases in that state must be released.  The release of the documents may answer questions about how church officials handled the allegations of sexual abuse against priests.

The conduct of many church officials has been attached as not having done enough to protect children from clergy abuse.  The release of the documents may shed some light on those allegations.  Hopefully, the release will in some way protect others from being victimized in the future.

There are different theories of law to hold different parties responsible for abuse.  Under New Hampshire law, the term in loco parentis refers to holding schools − primary and secondary schools – responsible for abuse of a student.

New Hampshire law imposes a duty of care upon primary and secondary schools to protect students.  This duty is based on the role of schools as parental proxies over minor students because minors are required to attend school and, therefore, are entrusted to their case.