It can take many years and significant courage for some victims to reveal the reality of sexual abuse by religious authorities. Many Catholic priests, Protestant ministers, Jewish rabbis and other spiritual leaders grossly abuse their power by committing unconscionable sexual abuse and exploitation that can cause lifelong damage impacting all aspects of victims’ lives. Equally unspeakable is the fact that religious and charitable corporations and organizations have taken active steps to ignore then cover up instances of abuse.
Studies have shown that when institutions cover up abuse, sexual predators remain free to damage the lives of perhaps hundreds of additional children before they are caught — if ever.
Attorney Tahira Khan Merritt has successfully litigated numerous cases of sexual abuse committed by spiritual leaders grooming and exploiting under the protection of religious corporations. She was also appointed as a Special Prosecutor by the District Attorney of Eastland County, Texas, to assist in one of the few criminal prosecutions of a pedophile priest in Texas. The prosecution of Thomas Teczar received national media attention and resulted in a 50-year prison sentence. Her experience is important if you are considering filing a civil lawsuit against a religious official or group. The applicable laws vary significantly from state to state, and the Law Office of Tahira Khan Merritt can guide you through those complex legal issues.
Catholic priests, Lutheran pastors, Jewish rabbis, Mormon deacons, Protestant elders and any other church ministers or spiritual leaders are capable of committing sexual abuse and can be held liable for civil damages. Religious corporations involve any organization, employee or volunteer affiliated with such entities as private schools, day care facilities or religious camps, which may be held liable for:
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Only by victims’ coming forward can perpetrators ever be held accountable for their actions. Confronting them is not easy, even though the abuse may have occurred years ago. The Law Office of Tahira Khan Merrit will advocate for you and help you achieve justice and closure in civil courts.
If you or your loved one has suffered sexual abuse, it is important that you promptly notify law enforcement, then contact our firm. Please schedule your initial confidential consultation at no cost with attorney Tahira Khan Merritt by calling:
Or you can send us a confidential email to info@tkmlawfirm.com
We understand that confronting sexual assault or sexual abuse, whether it occurred recently or in the past, is difficult. Our law firm goes to great lengths to ensure that we honor and protect your need for privacy. Call our law office at (214) 503-7300 or contact us through email to schedule a free, confidential consultation to speak with us.
