Clergy Sexual Assault Lawyer Sacramento, CA

Attorneys Kelly D. Van Aken and Mikayla G. Kellogg know that survivors of sexual assault from clergy members may consider taking legal action to obtain justice. After being put through such a traumatizing act, you deserve to have your voice heard and seek monetary restitution for your suffering. You can rely on our Sacramento, CA clergy sexual assault lawyer to provide you with an empathetic environment to discuss your legal options. We believe in our client’s stories and can do everything in our power to see that you are heard. If you are trying to cope and need to speak with someone right away, please use the hotline for RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) that is available 24 hours a day by dialing 1-800-656 HOPE (4673). If you are thinking about filing a lawsuit against the clergy member who sexually assaulted you, contact us at Kellogg & Van Aken LLP today for more information.

How We Can Keep Your Case Confidential

Some survivors may be hesitant to come forward and initiate claims against a clergy member out of fear of public attention and community backlash. Please know that our team is aware of the sensitive nature of keeping these cases private if that is what you wish. Our Sacramento clergy sexual assault lawyer can take your case and file it under a pseudonym to safeguard your identity. We do everything we can to ensure that our clients are protected throughout the legal process. However, there are some survivors who want the offender to be publicly known for their abuse against them. Let us know what your preference is regarding privacy so we can respect your wishes either way.

Who Is Accountable For Sexual Assault

Of course, the offender who sexually assaulted you will be the one held accountable for their atrocious actions. But when it comes to cases that involve clergy or other public members, the institutions may share liability for failing to protect the survivor from harm. Examples of institutions that may be responsible for not protecting the person could be a school or university, medical practice or hospital, property owner, government entity, sports organization, church, company, corporation, or religious organization. If you have questions about this, we can investigate further into your situation and let you know who to list as additional liable parties for your case.

Kellogg & Van Aken LLP

Our team at Kellogg & Van Aken LLP specializes in providing legal assistance to sexual assault and abuse survivors. We have experience litigating high-stake and sensitive cases. We know who to talk to, what to demand is right for our clients, and how to get the best outcome possible. Religious leaders and members of clergy are supposed to exhibit high moral character and ethical standards. When they use their position to harm others, they should be held strictly accountable. Our Sacramento clergy sexual assault lawyer understands that you may be struggling mentally with everything you have been through. We are here to handle the legal side while you take care of yourself. We are prepared to offer support today.

Getting Mental Health Therapy After Clergy Sexual Assault

As our Sacramento, CA clergy sexual assault lawyer knows, experiencing sexual assault by a clergy member can have lasting emotional and psychological effects. The betrayal of trust involved in clergy sexual assault makes the healing process even more difficult. Therapy offers a structured and supportive environment where survivors can begin to process their experiences and work toward emotional recovery. Mental health therapy is not just about coping with trauma—it’s about reclaiming a sense of control and rebuilding confidence. We were rated by Super Lawyers as Rising Stars and want you to feel comfortable coming to us.

Survivors often struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, anger, and confusion. Therapy provides a space to address these emotions openly and without judgment. A trained therapist can help identify underlying issues related to the trauma and develop coping strategies that support long-term healing. While recovery takes time, therapy can make it possible to restore emotional balance and feel empowered again.

Types Of Therapy That Can Help

Our Sacramento clergy sexual assault lawyer knows that different therapeutic approaches can be beneficial for survivors of clergy sexual assault. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one common method that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns connected to trauma. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is another effective technique that allows survivors to process distressing memories and reduce their emotional impact.

Group therapy can also be valuable, providing a sense of community and understanding among others with similar experiences. Talking with others who have faced similar trauma can reduce feelings of isolation and provide valuable emotional support. Some survivors may prefer one-on-one therapy, where they can explore their emotions in a private setting.

Overcoming Barriers To Therapy

Seeking therapy after clergy sexual assault can feel overwhelming. Survivors may hesitate to reach out for help due to feelings of shame or fear of judgment. Religious pressure and social expectations can make it even harder to take that first step. It’s important to remember that therapy is a confidential and judgment-free space designed to support healing.

Financial concerns can also create obstacles to getting therapy. Many therapists work on a sliding scale or accept insurance, which can make therapy more accessible. There are also organizations and support groups that offer low-cost or free counseling specifically for survivors of sexual assault.

The Importance Of Taking The First Step

Healing from clergy sexual assault is a challenging process, but therapy can be a powerful tool for recovery. Taking the first step to seek help is often the hardest part, but it’s also the most important. With the right support, survivors can begin to regain control over their lives and move forward with confidence.

At Kellogg & Van Aken LLP, we understand the impact that clergy sexual assault can have on every part of your life. If you’re considering legal action or need guidance on the next steps, we’re here to help. It’s important to remember that you have rights. Our specialty is providing justice for survivors. Contact our Sacramento clergy sexual assault lawyer today to discuss how we can support you in this process.

Evidence After A Clergy Sexual Assault

Our trusted and compassionate Sacramento, CA clergy sexual assault lawyer knows that meeting with a lawyer after experiencing clergy sexual assault is an important step toward seeking justice. Having relevant evidence can help strengthen your case and provide a clearer picture of what happened. While your lawyer will guide you through the process, bringing as much information as possible to the first meeting can be helpful. It is important to learn more about who you are working with and what their values are. Know that we believe in justice for our clients. We offer free consultations, so call us today.

1. Written Account of What Happened. A written record of the abuse can help document important details while they are still fresh in your mind. This may include dates, locations, descriptions of incidents, and any interactions with the abuser before or after the assault. If you remember specific conversations, gestures, or threats, writing them down can be useful for your case.
2. Any Communications with the Abuser. If you have received emails, text messages, letters, or voicemails from the clergy member involved, these can serve as key evidence. Even if the messages do not explicitly mention the abuse, they may demonstrate inappropriate behavior, attempts to manipulate, or efforts to silence you. Screenshots, recordings, or printed copies of these communications should be kept in a safe place.
3. Medical or Psychological Records. If you sought medical attention or therapy as a result of the abuse, those records can help show the impact it has had on your physical and emotional well-being. Medical exams, counseling notes, and prescriptions related to trauma or stress can support your case. Your lawyer can discuss how to obtain these records if you do not already have them.
4. Reports Made to Church Officials or Authorities. If you reported the abuse to a church leader, law enforcement, or a support organization, any written reports or email correspondence can be helpful. Our Sacramento clergy sexual assault lawyer encourages you to bring notes from conversations, copies of complaint forms, or official responses from church officials or investigators can demonstrate how the situation was handled. If you were discouraged from coming forward or pressured to stay silent, any documentation of this is also important.
5. Statements from Witnesses. If anyone witnessed inappropriate behavior or was aware of the abuse, their statements could support your case. This might include other church members, staff, friends, or family who noticed concerning interactions or were present when certain events took place. Your lawyer can help you gather and record witness statements in a way that strengthens your case.
6. Evidence of Church or Institutional Knowledge. If there is reason to believe that church officials knew about the abuse and failed to act, any evidence of this can be valuable. This may include past allegations against the same clergy member, internal memos, or public records of similar cases within the same institution. News articles, legal documents, or testimony from others can help demonstrate a pattern of misconduct.
7. Personal Records or Journals. If you kept a journal or personal notes about the abuse or its effects, these can serve as a valuable record of your experiences. Daily or occasional entries describing emotional struggles, physical symptoms, or fear of encountering the abuser may help establish the long-term impact of the abuse.

Moving Forward With Legal Support

Gathering evidence can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to go through this process alone. At Kellogg & Van Aken LLP, we are here to provide the legal support you need and help build a strong case. If you or a loved one has experienced clergy sexual assault, contact us today to discuss your options in a confidential setting. We helped one group of sexual assault survivors win a settlement of $1,125,000. Advocacy on behalf of survivors is incredibly important. Speak with our Sacramento clergy sexual assault lawyer now.