Sex abuse by clergy is once again in the national spotlight, following the federal indictment of two leaders of the Kingdom of God Church in Georgia. According to the U.S. Justice Department, David Taylor and Michelle Brannon used their “fake ministry” as a front for human trafficking, forced labor and sexual abuse. Prosecutors claim the pair raised millions of dollars in donations while forcing women and children to endure unspeakable psychological and physical abuse.
This is not just one rogue “church” but part of a much bigger issue. Despite years of headlines, sex abuse by clergy is still happening quietly at schools, youth programs and institutions. Until those in power are held accountable, the cycle will continue.
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Examples of Sex Abuse by Clergy
Sex abuse by clergy doesn’t usually start with violence. It often begins with grooming and emotional manipulation. Since abusers use faith and fear as a way to keep their victims silent, it can take decades for abuse survivors to come forward, and many never do because they are ashamed by what happened.
Some brave Hawai‘i residents have come forward over the years, hoping their abusers are held accountable.
Examples of sex abuse by clergy in Hawai‘i include:
- Lawsuit over the abuse of a 13-year-old during a school retreat at Damien Memorial School in Honolulu. (2012)
- Lawsuit alleging the sexual assault of a 16-year-old parishioner at St. John Vianney Church in Kailua. (2014)
- Lawsuit claiming Sacred Heart Church in Makiki ignored warnings about an abusive priest. (2018)
These cases are part of a larger effort to hold not only abusers accountable, but also the institutions that protect them.
Clergy Abuse Lawyers Hold Institutions Accountable
Clergy abuse lawyers in Hawai’i are now addressing this issue. They help survivors of sexual abuse by filing civil lawsuits, not only against their alleged abusers, but against the institutions responsible as well.
A new Hawai‘i law has made it easier for this to happen and for survivors to come forward. House Bill 111 allows victims of sexual exploitation to bring civil claims not only against abusers, but also against organizations that profited from or ignored the abuse. The law also extended the statute of limitations for civil claims to ten years, giving survivors more time to come forward.
This accountability doesn’t stop at churches. Today, clergy abuse lawyers are also representing survivors from troubled teen programs, youth facilities, and even major corporations where reports of physical, sexual or emotional abuse have uncovered years of neglect and cover-ups.
Catholic Church Lawsuits & Sex Abuse By Clergy
The largest number of documented sex abuse by clergy cases remains tied to the Catholic Church. According to the National Catholic Reporter, dioceses across the U.S. have paid out more than $5 billion in settlements since 2004.
In 2016, Hawaii News Now reported the Roman Catholic Church reached out-of-court settlements in 30 of the 40 lawsuits filed against priests in Hawai’i. Many of those cases dated back decades and are only the tip of the iceberg. Many sexual abuse survivors remain silent because they are scared to come forward. However, every case that reaches court helps break that silence and brings survivors one step closer to justice.
Justice for Victims of Sex Abuse by Clergy
Justice for victims of sex abuse by clergy means holding not only the abuser, but also the institutions that allowed the abuse, fully accountable. Survivors of sex abuse in the church deserve more than apologies; they deserve to see those responsible for covering up the truth face the full consequences of their actions. Every survivor who speaks out helps expose coverups, prevent future abuse and make institutions safer for generations to come.
