Delaware Launches Investigation Into Potential Clergy Sex Abuse
Delaware launched an investigation into potential sexual abuse committed by priests in the Catholic church community. The current Attorney General Matt Denn issued a subpoena to the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware on September 11, a month following the publication of the Pennsylvania Catholic church grand jury report. The investigation will cover sexual abuse and other types of abuse committed by Catholic priests and other clergy members since 1955. A previous investigation took place regarding clergy sex abuse records from 2002 to 2004.
Cases involving clergy members sexually abusing children may be trending in the news, but it is an age-old problem for which religious entities such as the Catholic church have seemingly swept under the carpet. Children who endure sexual abuse may face a lifetime of struggles including academic challenges, substance abuse, depression, suicidal tendencies, difficulty engaging in healthy relationships, and various psychological disorders. Sexual abuse survivors are entitled to justice, and their abusers must be held accountable for their unlawful actions.
If you or someone you love endured sexual abuse by a clergy member, the Delaware clergy abuse lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. will treat you and your concerns with respect and compassion. Please call 302-656-5445 or contact us online to schedule a free and confidential consultation. We represent sexual abuse and assault victims throughout Delaware including Dover and Georgetown.
Big Brother Pennsylvania Should Learn From Its Little Brother Delaware
Years ago, when they were both colonies, Delaware and Pennsylvania had the same Governor and their own legislature. For years, Delaware has looked to Pennsylvania for guidance. It is about time in the case of Childhood Sex Abuse that Pennsylvania follows Delaware’s lead.
In 2007, after the first Philadelphia Grand Jury report on the problem of child sex abuse in the Catholic Church and a series of news articles that reveal a similar pattern in the Wilmington Delaware Diocese, The Delaware General Assembly passed a law giving survivors of childhood sex abuse whose right to file a case had been barred by Delaware’s two year statute of limitations, a “two year window “ wherein previously barred claims could be filed. This is basically what the Pa. House has passed and what the Pa. Senate just ignored.
The Catholic Church and the Insurance Industry made the same objection in Delaware in 2007 that we have recently heard in Pa. – it was unconstitutional, it would be financially devastating to the good Charitable institutions etc. None of these proved true. The Delaware Supreme Court unanimously rejected the constitutional challenge.
On the eve of one of the first trials, the Catholic Diocese, realizing they were going to lose the case before the Jury, filed for reorganization bankruptcy. Like many businesses who have sought Chapter 11 protection, this was just a tool to minimize their expense and force the plaintiffs to settle all at once. The Diocese paid off the survivors and emerged from the Bankruptcy with little change in their operations.
The litigation did finally open up for the World to see (the story was reported even in Rome) what the Church had done to cover up the sins and crimes of its Priests. For the first time in decades, survivors got some measure of justice.
Clergy Abuse Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Represent Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
An important step in healing is to confront the abuser and hold them accountable. The Delaware sexual abuse lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. empower survivors to seek justice in order to enable them to move forward without fear or shame. Call 302-656-5445 or complete our online form for a free initial consultation in a supportive environment. From our offices in Wilmington and Georgetown, Delaware, as well as our new office in Pennsylvania, we represent clients throughout the surrounding areas.
Sen. Scarnati’s Proposed Compensation Fund – a Scam
By: It is no surprise that the Catholic hierarchy in Pennsylvania has warmly embraced Sen. Scarnati’s last minute attempt to derail the momentum to pass a Window Law which would finally after decades allow survivors of horrific sexual abuse and the Church’s cover-up to finally obtain some measure of justice.
The compensation fund proposal is a slap in the face. It is based on the premise that the victims only want money. Having represented hundreds of survivors of Clergy Sex Abuse I can state that money is secondary to almost all the survivors.
What they want and need for any real healing is accountability and transparency. The survivors need to be able to force their abuser and /or the enablers to testify under oath and often in their presence. They want to have some sense that their pain will not have been in vain and real change will occur.
The PA Grand Jury report was the first step. A series of civil cases will involve the production of documents – which can be made available to the public – which will ensure this never happens again. When the survivors of clergy abuse settled here in Delaware, one of their major demands was the public production of the abuse files. In the end they were all produced, and they have had an international impact – being quoted even in the Italian papers.
If you are a survivor of sexual abuse by a clergy member and are ready to have your voice heard, please call a dedicated and compassionate clergy abuse lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. at 302-656-5445 to arrange a free and confidential consultation or submit an online contact form. We have offices in Delaware and Pennsylvania to represent clients nationwide.
Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Children are often the target of sexual abusers. In fact, children are three times more likely to be victims of rape than adults. The majority of child abusers are either a family member, or someone the child knows and trusts. This sad social dynamic provides insight into the nature of the crime, as well as the devastating impact the crime has on its victims.
What is Sexual Abuse?
Sexual abuse encompasses a wide range of conduct. The Incest Survivors Resource Network states, “the erotic use of a child, whether physically or emotionally, is sexual exploitation in the fullest meaning of the term, even if no bodily contact is ever made.”
Any form of sexual exploitation where the victim does not or cannot give consent to the action, or gives consent under duress, is sexual abuse.
When the abuser is known, coercion and manipulation are often used to keep the misconduct secret. The abuser will frequently try to make the victim feel responsible for the abuse, usually by making them feel shame.
What Happens to Victims?
Children who have been sexually abused experience a great deal of stress and trauma. Their state of mind is altered in significant ways. Fear, shame, and powerlessness are all common. A child who is the victim of prolonged sexual abuse will often develop low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, and a distorted view of sex. They can become withdrawn, mistrust adults, and even become suicidal.
There are many symptoms associated with sexual abuse. In the short term, younger children may exhibit regressive behaviors such as a return to thumb-sucking or bed-wetting. Children of all ages may exhibit sleep disturbances, eating problems, trouble at school, become secretive, and being unwilling to participate in school or social activities. They will often have unusual sexual knowledge or behavior, have sexual components to drawings and games, and may even force sexual acts on other children.
In the longer term, behavioral difficulties are common. Avoidant behaviors such as a refusal to go to school, the doctor, or home are often seen. Victims may develop a fear of being touched or avoid people who remind them of the abuser.
Neurotic reactions such as obsessions, compulsions, and phobias, or habits such as biting, rocking, or cutting can happen. In extreme cases, victims can experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Unfortunate Outcomes from Childhood Abuse
Drug and alcohol abuse and eating disorders are all common outcomes. Addiction specialists estimate that up to 90 percent of their patients have a known history of some sort of abuse. Victims are also more prone to being victims of sexual assaults by other abusers.
Victim blaming and shaming is inappropriate, and can be very damaging. Recovery is possible. All victims can gain needed perspective and strength through psychological counseling.
Children with a supportive, caring adult consistently in their lives recover faster and better than those lacking such support. This can also help them avoid the unfortunate outcomes that such abuse can produce.
A Georgetown Sexual Abuse Lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Represents Victims of Childhood Abuse
An important step in healing is to confront the abuser and hold them accountable. A Georgetown sexual abuse lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. will defend clients vigorously, with the goal of empowering them to seek justice in order to enable them to move forward without fear or shame. Call 302-656-5445 or complete our online form for a free initial consultation in a supportive environment. From our offices in Georgetown, Delaware we represent clients throughout the state.
Cardinal Resigns Amid Sex Abuse Allegations
In July, a prominent Cardinal resigned over allegations that he sexually abused both minors and adult seminary students over a period spanning several decades. Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, ordering him to a “life of prayer and penance.”
Cardinal McCarrick is currently 88 years old. McCarrick has held prominent church positions in New York, New Jersey, and Washington, DC.
Legal Matters of Sexual Abuse
Law enforcement officials have uncovered evidence that McCarrick sexually abused a teenager while serving as a priest in New York nearly 50 years ago. Specifically, a now 62-year-old-man claims that he was sexually abused by McCarrick as a teen. Others have stepped forward, alleging that McCarrick abused them while they were in their 20s, during the time McCarrick was serving as a priest in New Jersey.
McCarrick also served as the archbishop of Washington, DC between 2001 and 2006, one of the Vatican’s most prominent positions. During that time, he helped the church develop policies intended to protect children from sexual abuse perpetrated by church officials.
It has been further alleged that those in the church knew for decades that Cardinal McCarrick was sexually abusing men who wanted to become priests. Several investigations have revealed that tens of thousands of dollars were paid in 2005 and 2007 to settle claims of alleged sexual abuse.
The Catholic Church and Sexual Misconduct Allegations
McCarrick is only one of many religious officials in the Catholic Church in recent years who has been accused of sexual misconduct. A former archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Keith Patrick O’Brien, stepped back from his position as Cardinal in 2013 after similar allegations, though he did not resign, and passed away in March 2018.
As Pope Francis continues to attempt to clean up the church by holding abusers accountable, it is thought that many similar stories may come to light.
To further complicate matters, many of the more conservative elements of the Church, dissatisfied with the direction Pope Francis has taken during his tenure, have called for the Pope to resign. Archbishop Viganò, a high-ranking church diplomat during the tenure of now-retired Pope Benedict, has made claims that Archbishop McCarrick had been suspected by the retired Pope, yet continued to make appearances and perform masses and other rites. The validity of Archbishop Viganò’s claims has been questioned, but this has only managed to raise more questions in an already complex and deeply distressing matter.
McCarrick released a statement denying the allegations in July. He claims to have cooperated in the investigation process, but claims no recollection of the reported abuse.
Sexual Abuse is an Ongoing Matter
It seems like not a day goes by without a new story of sexual abuse surfacing in the news. Research has indicated that one out of every four girls, and one out of every six boys has suffered sexual abuse as a child. Sexual abuse can cause profound psychological trauma that a person carries with themselves for years.
Georgetown Sexual Abuse Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Represent Victims of Church-Related Sexual Abuse
At Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. we have been striving to bring victims of sexual abuse justice for over two decades. We have litigated cases involving religious institutions such as Catholic churches; public schools; private schools; and physicians. If you have been sexually abused but feel that you have waited too long to step forward, know that it is common for people to hold on to their suffering in silence for decades. We can help you to hold responsible parties accountable and move forward with your life.
To learn more about how an experienced Georgetown sexual abuse lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. can help you reclaim your life, call us today at 302-656-5445 or contact us online. We provide free consultations to victims of sexual assault throughout Delaware, including Dover and Georgetown.
Signs a Child is Being Groomed for Sexual Abuse
Research from the American Psychological Association has shown that most sexual abuse occurs at the hands of a person that a child knows and trusts.
To earn a victim’s trust and prevent them from exposing their secret, sexual predator’s often use a systematic process called “grooming.” Grooming draws the victim into the cycle of abuse and keeps others from finding out about it.
Grooming works by making the victim feel special or important, and alienating them from their peers and loved ones.
A forensic psychiatrist describes the six stages of grooming as follows:
Choose the Victim
The offender targets children who are especially vulnerable and in need of love and attention. Children whose parents are physically gone or emotionally uninvolved are more appealing to a predator.
Earn the Victim’s Trust
A sex offender carefully observes and analyzes the victim’s needs, so they know how to fill them. Predators are sneaky and subtle. They may poke around asking for information about the personal lives and habits of their victims, and masquerade that inquiry as concern.
Fill a Need
The offender earns the victim’s loyalty and trust through affection, attention, and even material gifts. The child may in turn idolize the predator and see them as one of the most important people in their lives.
Isolate the Child
At this stage, the predator begins creating situations where they can be alone with the child. They convince the child they love and appreciate them more than even their own parents do. Parents often subconsciously encourage this dynamic, especially when the offender is a trusted coach, teacher, family friend, or babysitter.
Sexualizing the Relationship
Eventually, the relationship becomes physical. The offender desensitizes the victim with sexual language and images. The predator then creates situations where they can be physically intimate with the victim, like changing in the locker room or going swimming. The adult senses and exploits the child’s natural curiosity to continue to advance the relationship.
Establishing Control
Blame and secrecy are used to manipulate the child and compel them to continue the relationship. Children are threatened by the loss of whatever reward they receive, should they tell someone. Child victims fear humiliation and rejection if they expose the abuse.
Recognize the Signs
Parents who know the signs of grooming are more likely to sense when adults become too familiar and curious about their child. At a very young age, children should be taught about “body safety,” why it is important to listen to that nagging feeling that something is not right, and the difference between good and bad secrets.
Delaware Sexual Abuse Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Litigate Childhood Assault Cases
It does not matter how long ago your abuse occurred, you can still hold your abuser accountable. Bringing sexual predators to justice is important not only for the victim’s healing process, but also to protect the countless other potential victims out there. Since 2004, we have been litigating childhood sex abuse and assault cases.
To discuss your situation with a compassionate, experienced Delaware sexual abuse lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. call 302-656-5445 or use the convenient online contact form. Our offices are located in Georgetown and Wilmington, Delaware and our attorneys practice nationwide.
Michigan State Sexual Abuse Settlement
Michigan State University will award $425 million dollars to the 332 victims who were sexually abused by the university’s sports doctor, Lawrence G. Nassar. Another $75 million is set aside for victims who may not have come forward yet. The settlement is one of the largest awarded in a university sexual abuse scandal.
However, the settlement is not the end of this scandal for Michigan State. Although the university has promised to change policies to prevent future abuse, questions still remain. The biggest being: how was Nassar allowed to continue practicing at the university during his 20-year career while the complaints continued?
Many women, who testified against Nassar, said the university enabled Dr. Nassar’s abuse for years by ignoring those who came forward with complaints. Due to this, the university is currently undergoing several investigations by Michigan’s attorney general, the US Department of Education, and the NCAA.
Although many of the investigations will go on for quite some time, it is known that complaints against Nassar began in the 1990’s. Nassar officially faced a Title IX investigation by the university for sexual abuse in 2014. However, university officials claimed that the victim did not understand the differences between a sexual assault and a necessary medical procedure, so the investigation ended.
Since all of this came out, several university leaders, including Nassar’s supervisor, have been removed from their positions at the university.
Healing Through the Legal Process
Many of the survivors shared their stories of abuse in emotional testimony before judges, who sentenced Dr. Nassar to more than 100 years in prison. The conviction and financial settlement are hoped to be a step toward healing and closure.
Victims of sexual abuse are often resistant to talking about their experience and may even feel shame or embarrassment. For this reason, many sexual abuse survivors are reluctant to testify. However, the legal process may offer several psychological benefits believed to help victims overcome the aftermath of abuse.
Empowerment
The American Psychological Association reports that survivors of abuse can eliminate stress through talking or writing about the abuse experience.
The act of testifying in court can help a survivor to do this. Additionally, taking part in a lawsuit against the abuser can allow a survivor to regain control, and experience closure on this chapter of their lives.
Those who suffer the psychological consequences that often accompany abuse may not have the means to get the professional help they need. Settlements in sexual abuse cases can offer survivors the financial resources necessary to obtain professional treatment.
Involvement in a lawsuit against an abuser can help survivors understand that they are not alone in their thoughts, reactions, or emotions. The simple knowledge that there are others who have experienced something similar can reduce feelings of isolation, shame, and secrecy.
Delaware Sexual Abuse Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Represent Survivors of Sexual Assault
The Delaware sexual abuse lawyers at the law firm of Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. offer compassionate, individualized legal help for those who suffer from the aftermath of sexual abuse or assault. Get the help you need and the justice you deserve by calling 302-656-5445 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation at our Wilmington or Georgetown offices, where we represent clients throughout Delaware.
Bill to Allow License Suspension for Teachers Who May Pose a Threat to Students
Any parent would agree that a student’s safety at school should always come first. A proposed bill in Delaware aims to accomplish that by giving the Secretary of Education the authority to immediately suspend a teachers license in certain circumstances. This could happen after a teacher is arrested or indicted by a grand jury for a violent felony, or when situations occur that pose a clear and immediate danger to students’ safety or well-being.
Under current law, the education department has less power to remove a teacher from the classroom, even under frightening circumstances. A teacher’s license cannot be suspended or revoked unless they resign or retire, or when they are fired after an official notice of allegations that there was a sexual offense against a child.
At this time, going through the motions to remove a teacher who may pose a threat can be a long, arduous process of hearings and appeals – especially if the teacher has not yet been convicted of a crime. In the meantime, that teacher often remains in the classroom with vulnerable students.
Rational Behind the Bill
The Delaware Education Department recently cited several examples of educators whose licenses were not suspended, despite serious allegations – and some remain in the school system. They include a male teacher who was accused in three separate incidents of touching female students and making inappropriate comments. No criminal charges were made, and he was not fired. He resigned after the third incident and is now teaching at another Delaware school. Currently, the state has no grounds to investigate or revoke his license.
Another Delaware educator was charged with a felony for pushing and ultimately injuring a student with autism. Even though the charges are being investigated, this person has not lost their license and could take a job at any Delaware school.
Bill supporters also point to a 2014 case as an example of dangers that are present when a teacher cannot be removed from the classroom after serious abuse allegations. A Smyrna student filed a lawsuit against a teacher and the school district after the student had an ongoing sexual relationship with the teacher. The suit alleged that the district had prior notice of the teacher’s misconduct, which made students vulnerable to sexual abuse.
Other teachers, who had noticed the inappropriate interactions, warned the teacher to stay away from the girl, who was a student of his. Despite this, the investigation did not get underway until a cellphone was discovered that gave evidence of the relationship between the girl and the teacher. The trial revealed that the teacher had sexually assaulted the student at least ten times, sometimes in the classroom.
Delaware Sexual Abuse Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Fight Fiercely to Protect Children From Abuse
If you or a family member has been the victim of a sexual abuse by a teacher or other authority figure, the experienced legal team at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. will offer zealous advocacy for your case. Call 302-656-5445 today to arrange a confidential consultation with a dedicated Delaware sexual abuse lawyer or contact us online. From our offices in Wilmington and Georgetown, Delaware, we represent abuse victims in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and nationwide.
House Approves Bill Protecting Children from Sexual Offenses in Delaware
On Tuesday, the Delaware House of Representatives approved a bill that further protects children from sexual offenses. The bill, House Bill 259, would update current legislation by strengthening the penalties for sexual assaults against children under the age of 7. After a young child from Pike Creek, Delaware was abducted and then subsequently sexually assaulted in 2017, Delaware State Representative, Andria Bennett, fought for the bill to be approved. Jessica’s Law, which went into effect in 2006, protects children under age 14 against sexual assaults, but this bill would specifically target sexual offenses committed against children under 7 and offer harsher penalties.
Stories of sexual assaults against children reverberate in the news and in our communities with an alarming frequency. Protecting children against individuals who inflict harm upon them is critical when statistics show that one in four girls as well as one in six boys are sexually abused as children. Abuse leaves children with emotional scars that go beyond physical trauma and may adversely affect them for the rest of their lives.
If you or someone you love experienced sexual abuse, the Wilmington sexual abuse lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. will fight for your rights. To arrange a free consultation, contact us online or call 302-656-5445. From our offices in Wilmington and Georgetown, we represent individuals and families throughout the state, including those in Dover, Delaware.
Signs of Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is one of the most heinous crimes against children. Many different terms are used to describe sexual abuse including molestation, rape, and assault, but not all sexual abuse involves touching or sexual contact. Using children to film pornography or indecent exposure of genitals to a child are also forms of sexual abuse.
Prevention
Every parent’s nightmare is that their child falls victim to a sexual predator. To prevent sexual abuse from happening, parents must be vigilant in monitoring their children’s activities and who their children spend time with.
It is important to investigate an organization or activity before signing up. Ask if there is a policy against a child being left alone with a single adult. This should never be the case. Show up to observe activities and make your presence known as predators often target lonely and seemingly neglected children.
Be wary of adults that exhibit tendencies of wanting to spend time alone with a child. They may claim to be nurturing a special relationship, but it is also a sign of predatory grooming. Adults who break household rules such as giving candy against the parents’ wishes or letting a child have fun doing things that are not allowed in secret are also creating situations that no one is supposed to know about. Your child should always be able to tell you everything with full trust. Open lines of communication are crucial to being able to protect your child.
Recognizing Signs of Sexual Abuse
A child who is being abused may exhibit signs of stress, however, sudden changes of behavior could also be due to other sources such as a death in the family, divorce, or other anxiety inducing event. If your child shows more than one or many of the following signs, you should talk to your child and investigate further.
Small children may
- Have nightmares and sleep issues
- Revert to younger child behaviors such as bed wetting or thumb-sucking
- Have new words for their private parts
- Be reluctant to remove their clothing for bathing or bed time
- Want to play sexual games with other children or with their toys
- Have soiling accidents unrelated to toilet training
Older children may
- Suddenly have access to pocket money, new toys, or gifts
- Have trouble eating and sleeping
- Have sudden mood swings including rage and fear, or seem insecure and withdrawn
- Think of their own bodies as repulsive or bad
- Hints at topics that could provoke a discussion about sexual issues
- Have a sudden new fear of certain people or places
- Refer to a new older friend
- Dream, draw or write about scary or sexual images
Teenagers traumatized by sexual abuse may also
- Cut or burn themselves
- Become sexually promiscuous
- Run away from home
- Become depressed or suicidal
- Abuse drugs or alcohol
- Exhibit sudden changes in appearance and grooming
A child can never consent to sexual activity. Filing a civil claim may seem as if it prolongs the trauma for the victim, but in fact holding abusers accountable can be a healing process. It puts the power back in the victim’s court and shows they are not helpless.
Contact a Delaware Sexual Abuse Lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. if You Suspect a Child Has Been Abused
The dedicated Delaware sexual abuse lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. have helped many victims of sexual abuse obtain justice and compensation. Contact us online or call 302-656-5445 to schedule a confidential consultation about your case or contact us online. We represent clients in Wilmington, Georgetown, Dover, and throughout Delaware.