Michigan Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Find out if you qualify for compensation from child sexual abuse lawsuits.
Submit the form for a free, no-obligation case review.
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Find out if you qualify for compensation from child sexual abuse lawsuits.
Submit the form for a free, no-obligation case review.
Child sexual abuse is a profound and enduring crisis in Michigan, leaving survivors with lifelong wounds that impact every aspect of their well-being. Across the neighborhoods of Michigan and its suburds, countless children have suffered from child sexual abuse in silence, at the hands of adults they and their caregivers trusted – clergy, detention center staff, foster care guardians, and authority figures in troubled teen centers. This abuse destroys a child's sense of safety and self-worth, often leading to decades of trauma, shame, depression, and difficulties in relationships and work.
In recent years, the state government has taken landmark steps to confront the realities of Michigan child sexual abuse. The state legislature eliminated the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims in Michigan and across the state of Michigan, enabling survivors to seek justice no matter how many years have passed since the abuse occurred. This reform recognizes what survivors and trauma specialists have long known: most victims do not disclose their abuse until adulthood, with the average age of disclosure for clergy abuse survivors being around 52.
Michigan's child sexual abuse legal changes were driven in part by the state's large-scale investigation into clergy abuse launched in 2018. This multi-year investigation uncovered widespread child sexual abuse and systemic coverups within Michigan religious institutions. Over 450 Catholic priests and clergy members have been accused of child sexual abuse in Michigan, with more than 800 survivors bravely coming forward to share what happened to them. Many Michigan child abusers were simply moved to new parishes to avoid scandal, allowing them to harm more children. To date, at least eleven clergy members have been convicted of sexual abuse in Michigan.
The trauma of child sexual abuse extends far beyond individual survivors. Entire families, communities, and faith networks in Michigan harmed by sexual abuse are left grappling with betrayal, guilt, and anger. Michigan's legal system now acknowledges the harm of child sexual abuse by allowing Michigan survivors to seek compensation for emotional distress, medical and mental health treatment, and punitive damages against institutions that enabled or concealed abuse. For many, pursuing a lawsuit is not just about financial recovery – it is a powerful step in reclaiming dignity, truth, and healing.
Numerous type of institutions serving children and youth have been revealed as sites where child sexual abuse takes place in Michigan. From Michigan clergy sexual abuse to Michigan foster care sexual abuse, parents and caregivers have placed their trust in these institutions. When a child or adolescent falls victim to child sexual abuse in Michigan, it is vital that the abuse be reported and steps taken to hold the institution accountable. Read full information on child sexual abuse lawsuits in Michigan.
Adult survivors in Michigan have many questions about how filing a child sexual abuse lawsuit may impact their life. From confidentiality and the cost of filing a claim to details on the extended statute of limitations and window of opportunity for reporting sexual abuse in Michigan, this page answers the most common child sexual abuse lawsuit questions received from Michigan residents. Should you wish to speak in detail about your circumstances, our attorneys are providing free and confidential child sexual abuse lawsuit case review to Michigan residents. Read full child sexual abuse lawsuit questions and answers for Michigan residents.
Our team of child sexual abuse attorneys for Michigan residents approach their work with the utmost sensitivity and respect for survivors of child sexual abuse. Aware of the very difficult nature of discussing long-ago and traumatic experiences, our child sexual abuse attorneys serving Michigan assure your free case review will be confidential and non-judgmental. Contact our firm today to speak with an experienced child sexual abuse attorney about your legal rights for filing a child sexual abuse claim in Michigan. Read full information from our child sexual abuse lawyers for Michigan residents.
For a variety of reasons, most Michigan victims of child sexual abuse do not report the crime until after the age of 52, if ever. In addition, many adult survivors of child sexual abuse in Michigan worry that reporting the crime now may open old wounds unnecessarily. At the same time, pursuing justice against an institution that failed to halt child sexual abuse can also be a cathartic and empowering experience. Read full information about reporting child sexual abuse in Michigan.
