New Jersey Clergy Abuse Video

In New Jersey, the scale of clergy sexual abuse is staggering. Nearly 200 Catholic priests and deacons across the state’s five diocese, Camden, Newark, Patterson, Newuchin, and Trenton, have been credibly accused of sexually abusing children. These allegations span decades, primarily from the 1940s through the early 2000s. Even beyond the DSC’s, abuse has been reported in other religious institutions.

In 2009, the Jesuits USA Northeast Province named 50 leaders credibly accused of abuse, 10 of them tied to New Jersey. Much of this abuse came to light following the 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury report, which exposed massive cover-ups in neighboring diocese. In total, more than 800 lawsuits have already been filed in New Jersey against Catholic clergy and institutions, many citing systemic cover-ups by church leadership. A 2022 settlement with the DSES of Camden paid out $87.5 million to 300 survivors, one of the largest payouts of its kind in US history.

So what are your options if you or someone you loved experienced clergy sexual abuse in New Jersey? Well, first you can report the abuse to law enforcement. New Jersey has a special clergy abuse task force under the attorney general’s office. And even if the statutes of limitations has passed or criminal charges are not brought, your report helps build evidence and could support other survivors cases in the future. You can also explore filing a civil lawsuit, which enables you to seek financial compensation for the harm that happened to you.

In 2009, New Jersey expanded its civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse. Survivors now have until their 55th birthday or 7 years from when they first discovered the impact of the abuse to file a lawsuit. If you’re under 55 means you may still have time to take legal action.

If you’re ready to take the next step, or even if you’re just exploring your options, Helping Survivors can connect you with an experienced clergy sexual abuse attorney today. Consultations are free, confidential, and trauma-informed. Please get in touch with us to learn more.