As the problem of sex abuse within church organizations comes to light, more and more victims are stepping forward to share their stories of abuse. Over the last two months, a church in Douglasville, Georgia has become embroiled in yet another allegation of child sex abuse by a priest/pastor. Douglasville is a small suburb of Atlanta.
A 15 year pastor at King’s Way Baptist Church in Douglasville, Georgia resigned after allegations of child molestation surfaced on the internet. The accusations were made by two women. The first woman is from Pennsylvania and has publicly accused the pastor of molesting her when she was a young child, practically a toddler. The other woman claims the pastor sexually abused her when she was a teenager, in 1995 and 1996.
Both cases of abuse are alleged to have occurred in Michigan. At this point, no charges have been filed against the pastor. However, police in Michigan are conducting an investigation.
According to a King’s Way school administrator, the pastor in question inflicted self-harm around the time he resigned from his post at the church. Source: www.douglascountysentinel.com, “Pastor out at King’s Way as 1990s allegations of abuse in Michigan resurface”
Church Sex Abuse Cases – Priests, Pastors & Nuns Do Commit Sex Abuse
With increased media attention to the problem of sex abuse within church settings, more and more victims are stepping forward to tell their stories of abuse, trauma, courage and survival. The problem of priest and pastor sex abuse is a very serious one. Previously, such abuse fell under the radar because most people naturally believe that priests and pastors are incapable of such monstrous behavior. However, priests, pastors, nuns, etc., often have unfettered access to children; hence, why pedophiles often seek such positions.
Related: Sex Abuse in the Church – Nuns Commit Sex Abuse Too
In order to prevent sex abuse by people in trusted positions, such as priests and pastors, parents must open the channels of communication with their children. Children must be taught acceptable physical contact, and parents must not be willing to blindly trust others with their children. Parents must seriously reconsider letting young children have overnight visits and sleepovers with adults. In addition, those who see questionable behavior must be willing to report it.
Related priest/pastor sex abuse articles:
- Parties in a Priest/Pastor Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
- Why Sex Abuse Within a Church May Not be Reported or Investigated
- What to Expect in Priest/Clergy Sexual Abuse Civil Lawsuits in Pennsylvania or New Jersey
Priest & Pastor Sex Abuse Lawyer. Representation by a Former Prosecutor
Stewart Ryan and Guy D’Andrea are former prosecutors who now fight for victims’ rights to obtain justice in civil cases. They are passionate about justice for sex abuse victims and offer free, confidential consultations to all victims of sex abuse. For more information about church or priest sex abuse cases, click here. Call 800-220-7600.
Our attorneys serve sex abuse victims in the following areas: Allegheny County, PA; Berks County, PA; Bucks County, PA; Chester County, PA; Delaware County, PA; Lehigh County, PA; Montgomery County, PA; Northampton County, PA: Philadelphia County, PA; Atlantic County, NJ; Burlington County, NJ; Camden County, NJ; Cumberland County, NJ; Gloucester County, NJ; Salem County, NJ; New Castle County, DE; Kent County, DE; Atlantic City, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Newark, NJ; Doylestown, PA; Media, PA; West Chester, PA; Norristown, PA; Camden, NJ; Wilmington, DE; Newark, DE; Georgetown, DE; and New Castle, DE. Our lawyers can obtain special admission in other states such as New York and Delaware on a case by case basis.
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