As lined by The Baltimore Banner and The Baltimore Solar, BGL consumer Thomas Carney was one in every of six survivors of kid sexual abuse by Catholic clergy who eloquently described the consequences of their abuse to the decide presiding over the chapter proceedings of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Each articles additionally characteristic BGL consumer, Paul Jan Zdunek, who chairs the Collectors’ Committee – a gaggle of survivors representing the pursuits of all survivors with claims of kid intercourse abuse in opposition to monks and clergy related to the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Mr. Zdunek launched the audio system to the Court docket.
Attorneys representing the survivors’ committee advocated for permitting survivors to share their tales in courtroom and permit their voices to be heard.
In testifying, Mr. Carney mentioned that he was taught as a younger Catholic that God was all-powerful and omnipresent and wouldn’t enable his followers to be harmed. Mr. Carney believed this and had put his belief in his pastor and lecturers, solely to expertise sexual abuse by these he trusted. His physique stays alive, he mentioned, however his objective for residing is misplaced.
“The nightmares are nonetheless alive and effectively in my mind,” Mr. Carney mentioned. “On the day that I used to be sexually victimized, my life modified endlessly.”
U.S. Chapter Decide Michelle M. Harner has scheduled a second listening to for Could 20 to listen to from further survivors.
Mr. Zdunek, who delivered opening and shutting remarks on behalf of the Collectors Committee, described the listening to as a chance to “share the humanity behind the headlines.” “As all of us proceed to maneuver by way of the authorized journey forward, we should keep in mind that these weren’t simply tales about moments in time — however are moments in time which have been seared into the souls of those now grownup youngsters,” Mr. Zdunek mentioned.
“Whereas a few of them could have forgiven their predators, none of them will ever overlook what occurred to them,” he continued. “And neither ought to we.”
Clergy sexual abuse survivors have till Could 31, 2024 to file a declare within the chapter case.
Navigating the claims course of and recounting the trauma of sexual abuse might be tough and overwhelming, however the attorneys at Brown, Goldstein & Levy are right here to assist. We have now huge expertise litigating tough sexual assault circumstances and have gained million-dollar and multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements in favor of survivors. We’re at the moment representing scores of survivors with claims in opposition to the Archdiocese of Baltimore (together with shoppers who signed releases with the Archdiocese up to now), the Archdiocese of Washington, the Maryland Division of Juvenile Companies, quite a few non-public and public faculties, and different establishments.
If you happen to imagine you’ve a declare of sexual abuse in opposition to the Archdiocese of Baltimore, don’t hesitate to contact us for a confidential session.
ABOUT ANDREW FREEMAN
Andy Freeman obtains justice for his shoppers. He has gained quite a few verdicts, judgments, and settlements of thousands and thousands, tens of thousands and thousands, and in a single case over a billion {dollars} by mastering the related regulation and attending to know his shoppers, their issues, and the proof of their circumstances. In a single case, Andy gained a verdict of $15 million for a survivor of kid sexual abuse. In one other trial, he secured a $1 million verdict in a counter-suit on behalf of a lady who was sexually abused by a lawyer, after the lawyer-abuser sued for defamation—a outcome that was acknowledged by the Nationwide Regulation Journal as one of many “Prime Wins of 2000.” Andy has lengthy been a tenacious advocate for the wellbeing of kids, each inside and outdoors of courtroom. He has served as a board member and board president of the Household Tree (previously the Little one Abuse Prevention Heart of Maryland) and of the Household League of Baltimore Metropolis, and as a board member for Protected and Sound: Baltimore’s Marketing campaign for Youngsters, Youth and Households. Andy was additionally a volunteer with the Court docket Appointed Particular Advocates (CASA) of Baltimore, a nonprofit that fights for the perfect pursuits of abused and uncared for youngsters concerned in Baltimore’s foster care system, which awarded him a number of CASA Recognition Awards, and he and his spouse (the previous Government Director of the Baltimore Little one Abuse Heart) have been Baltimore Metropolis foster mother and father.
Based in 1982, Brown, Goldstein & Levy is a regulation agency based mostly in Baltimore, Maryland, with an workplace in Washington, D.C. The agency is nationally acknowledged in all kinds of follow areas, together with advanced civil and business litigation, civil rights, well being care, household regulation, and prison protection. Above all else, Brown, Goldstein & Levy is a client-centered regulation agency that brings many years of expertise and passionate, efficient advocacy to your battle for justice.
