Were You Sexually Abused by a Priest, Pastor, or Church Leader?

Clergy members and church leaders hold positions of immense trust and authority. When that trust is violated through sexual abuse or sexual assault, the harm is lifelong, especially for children and vulnerable members of the community. If you were sexually abused by a priest, pastor, youth leader, or other religious authority figure, you are not alone, and you may have legal options.

TLO Law, P.C. represents survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault involving churches and religious institutions throughout California. Our firm has represented survivors in matters against the Catholic Church, as well as other religious organizations and communities of faith, including the Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society), General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the Church of Scientology, and other local church communities throughout the state. These cases often involve not only abuse by an individual, but also institutional failures including inadequate supervision, ignored reports and warnings, and systems designed to protect the institution instead of protecting people.

For many survivors of religious institution and clergy abuse, coming forward is incredibly painful. Survivors are often pressured into silence through fear, shame, spiritual manipulation, or concerns about how family or the community will react. Many survivors carry what happened in silence for years – unsure if anyone will believe them, worried they waited too long, or afraid of the consequences of speaking out. Our team is here to listen, provide a safe and confidential place to talk, and to help you understand your options.

Civil lawsuits can uncover patterns of abuse, expose institutional failures, and hold churches and religious organizations accountable when abuse was ignored, concealed, or allowed to continue. We pursue these cases with care and compassion, prioritizing our clients’ privacy and individual needs, and honoring the courage it takes to come forward.

If you or someone you know experienced sexual abuse or sexual assault involving a religious institution or clergy member, we encourage you to contact TLO Law, P.C. for a confidential consultation. We can help you understand your rights and your options moving forward.

TLO Religious Institution & Clergy Sexual Assault Cases in News & Media:

Coverage by NBC Bay Area of dozens of Northern California priests facing child sex abuse claims highlights how widespread and long‑hidden clergy abuse can be. Featuring this reporting alongside TLO Law, P.C.’s work in religious institution and clergy cases helps show that survivors are not alone and that these patterns of harm are now coming into the open. It also underscores the importance of independent civil advocacy in uncovering institutional failures, pushing churches to act, and helping survivors pursue accountability.

• DOZENS OF NORTHERN CA PRIESTS FACING CHILD SEX ABUSE CLAIMS FOR THE FIRST TIME - NBC BAY AREA

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We represent clients throughout California, including the entire San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento County, Sonoma County, Napa County, Los Angeles County, San Diego County, Orange County, and all communities statewide. Our attorneys are also licensed to practice law in Missouri, Colorado, and New York and handle cases throughout those states.