San Francisco Sexual Molestation/Clergy Abuse Lawyer
Michael Rehm - (415) 230-2346
Free Consultations
While responsible parents warn their children about stranger danger, sexual molestation in San Francisco is more often committed by people who are in a position of trust. Members of the clergy, teachers, coaches, and day care providers are among the perpetrators who use their position to take sexual advantage of children and adults.
The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office has been criticized for failing to make an effective response to complaints of clergy abuse. Teachers in San Francisco and elsewhere in the Bay Area have been arrested for entering into sexual relationships with students.
Coaches in the San Francisco area have gained the trust of youthful athletes, only to molest them in showers and locker rooms. Thousands of Boy Scout leaders around the nation, including more than two dozen in the Bay Area, have been accused of sexually abusing minors.
California's civil justice system recognizes that institutions, not just individuals, are responsible for abuses of authority. Churches have an obligation to monitor the behavior of priests and pastors. Schools should never allow teachers to become intimate with students. Day care companies are responsible for their negligence when they fail to supervise staff members who molest children.
San Francisco sexual molestation and clergy abuse Lawyer Michael Rehm can help victims of abuse, including parents of minor victims. We understand those who have been abused may need long-term therapy to recover from victimization. We help our clients obtain the compensation they need to move forward with their lives. By seeking punitive damages, we also hope to send a message that residents of San Francisco will not tolerate sexual abuse.
Clergy Abuse in San Francisco
The Database of Publicly Accused Priests lists 37 clergy members in the Dioceses of San Francisco who have been accused of molesting altar boys or parishioners. Since many allegations are settled privately and many other acts of abuse are never reported, the true extent of the problem is impossible to quantify.
The problem of clergy abuse is not confined to any single religion. The betrayal of trust held by clergy members has a devastating impact. Victims often struggle with their faith and blame themselves for acts of molestation. Holding clergy accountable helps victims come to terms with the abuse while protecting other members of the church from similar harm.
Sexual Molestation in San Francisco
Any person who occupies a position of authority and respect is ideally situated to groom children as victims of sexual misconduct. Fortunately, most adults who supervise children behave responsibly. Sadly, people who are sexually attracted to children tend to seek out jobs that will give them access to their victims.
Day care workers, teachers, youth league coaches, babysitters, and camp counselors are among those who parents trust with their children. When they abuse that trust by molesting victims, families suffer.
Attorney Michael Rehm help families of children who have been sexually molested. We bring legal claims against the perpetrators of abuse and their employers. We fight for the compensation that families need to pay for therapeutic services that help children heal. Just as importantly, we bring legal claims that convince organizations to monitor the actions of their employees so that other children will not endure the same abuse.
San Francisco Sexual Abuse Attorney - Michael Rehm - (415) 230-2346
San Francisco Child Victim Advocate - School/Teacher Abuse Lawyer - Priest/Clergy/Boy Scout Abuse Attorney
Resources: