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You trusted members of your church to help guide you in your faith. They exploited that trust and caused you a lifetime of trauma and pain. You deserve justice. A church sexual assault lawyer in New York, NY, can help you fight for it.
Call The Goldwater Law Firm today to get started. We can connect you with an abuse attorney in your area.
Getting Help is Easy
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A Trusted, Experienced Partner
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No Fees Unless We Win
No Win, No Fee. You Don’t Pay A Penny Unless We Win Your Case.
How The Goldwater Law Firm Can Help You During This Time
Your church had a duty to keep you safe, hiring only safe adults and taking swift, proper action after reports of abuse. They should have protected you; instead, they allowed the abuse to continue. Some churches ignored abuse allegations completely, while others transferred the alleged abuser to another church, covering up the crime and giving the abuser access to more vulnerable children.
We understand the gravity of the harm caused by sexual abuse within church institutions. Survivors often face not only personal trauma but also a deep betrayal by the very communities and leaders they once trusted. We are one of the most widely recognized law firms in the United States, and our mission is to stand with survivors and help them reclaim their voices, power, and future. Our history of results speaks to our relentless pursuit of justice and our belief that the client and their needs always come first.
Compassionate Advocacy for Survivors
Our co-counsels will hear your story and gather all necessary information and evidence to support it. We know that coming forward about abuse, especially at the hands of religious authorities, can be one of the most painful and isolating decisions a survivor makes.
That’s why we treat every client with the empathy, respect, and dedication they deserve. You may be scared, angry, or unsure of what comes next. You’re not alone. Our team is here to connect you with a compassionate law firm that will walk beside you every step of the way. We never forget that behind every case is a person, a family, and a community that deserves healing and accountability.
Need a Church Sexual Assault Attorney in New York?
Holding Churches Accountable
For far too long, churches and religious organizations have operated without transparency, often shielding abusers and failing to protect the vulnerable. We refuse to let powerful institutions use their influence to silence survivors. Our firm is built on the principle that no one should escape responsibility, no matter how influential. We will not allow those responsible to get away unpunished while survivors suffer in silence.
Resources to Support and Strengthen Your Case
With nationwide strategic partnerships and a vast network of legal and investigative experts, we can take on even the most complex cases against powerful religious institutions. We have law firm partners throughout New York and a vast pool of resources to build a strong case on your behalf.
We Can Hold Your Abuser and the Church Liable
In some cases, holding a specific abuser responsible isn’t possible, as they may have passed away since the abuse occurred. However, depending on your situation, your lawyer may be able to hold the abuser and the church itself liable. The church had a responsibility to keep you safe, and it failed to uphold that duty. It should be held responsible.
Our Practice Areas
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
People often forgo legal representation because they think they can’t afford it. However, we believe that everyone deserves access to legal help. Our law firm partners take cases on a contingency basis. You don’t pay a thing to get started and only pay for your lawyer’s time if they recover compensation for you.
Coming forward about childhood sexual abuse is often one of the bravest and most difficult things a survivor does. In some cases, it can take decades for survivors to come to terms with the abuse they suffered. New York law understands this. However, the state still limits how long survivors have to hold their abusers and the church responsible.
Per CVP § 213-C, survivors have up to 20 years after the abuse occurred to take action. We recommend that you contact us as soon as you can so we can protect your right to seek justice.
Every sexual assault and abuse case is unique. What you can recover is specific to you and the effects the abuse had and continues to have on you. Our co-counsels could seek compensation for the following on your behalf:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Miscellaneous expenses
- Pain and suffering
Yes. One recent settlement in the NYC area includes:
- A $323 million settlement in September 2024 between the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre and approximately 530 survivors of clergy sexual abuse, according to Reuters
Other settlements have been reached throughout New York State, including:
- A $246 million settlement with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, reached in July of 2025, according to ABC 13 WHAM
- A $150 million settlement between the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo and over 800 survivors of clergy sexual abuse, reached in April 2025, according to ABC 7 WKBW
Many plaintiffs have filed claims and lawsuits and remained anonymous. You can discuss this with your attorney if you wish to keep your name out of the court system and the media.
A Clergy Sexual Assault Lawyer in New York Is Ready to Help
You’ve already taken a courageous step by seeking help; please know you are not alone. We believe you, support you, and are ready to fight for the justice you deserve. Our law firm partners can hold your abuser and the church that enabled them accountable. Call The Goldwater Law Firm today to speak with someone who understands and can guide you forward. Your healing matters, and a sexual assault attorney is here to help you reclaim your voice.