Child Sexual Abuse

Dallas Attorney for Child Molestation and Abuse Victims

For more information about a practice area, click on the heading.

Catholic Church Child Sexual Abuse

One of the disturbing aspects of child sex abuse in the Catholic Church is its practice of transferring pedophile priests to different parishes, different states, different countries, and treatment centers. There is usually a paper trail of allegations that the church tries to keep secret. Attorney Tahira Khan Merritt and her legal team are relentless is pursuing these cases, even when the abuse occurred years ago and the priest has been transferred to another parish.

Protestant Child Sexual Abuse

Many Baptists are surprised to learn that the sexual abuse of children is not just a problem associated with the Catholic Church. According to an Associated Press article, three insurers of protestant churches received more than 260 reports of children being sexually abused by ministers and other church officials in a single year. This number compares to 228 "credible" accusations against Catholic clergy in a year, according to records produced by the Catholic Church.

Greek Orthodox Church Child Sexual Abuse

Tahira Khan Merritt is currently representing five men who were sexually abused as altar boys at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas by the Rev. Nicholas Katinas more than 30 years ago and one Catholic boy visiting his home. The same priest has been accused of sexually abusing an Illinois minor when he was pastor of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in the 70s. Defendants in the civil case against Katinas include the Greek Orthodox Dioceses of America and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver, which oversees Holy Trinity in Dallas.

Child Sexual Abuse in Schools

It is illegal in Texas for a public school teacher to have a sexual relationship with a student. Schools are also required to report incidents of sexual abuse of students by teachers, coaches, counselors, and other school district employees. If you are a victim of sexual abuse by any of these employees, you should contact a lawyer for information about your legal civil options. to preserve your rights to compensation, under Texas law, you must provide the employer with notice of a civil lawsuit without undue delay.

Child Sexual Abuse in Group Homes and Day Care Centers

Day care centers and group homes can be held responsible for child sexual abuse if they failed to properly screen or supervise employees or to provide an otherwise safe environment. By filing a civil lawsuit, you can hold these organizations responsible for allowing child sexual abuse to occur on their property.

Vulnerable Adult Sexual Abuse

Whenever you go to someone for professional mental health care, you expect there to be help, a legal and moral boundary the counselor is not supposed to cross. If, however, the counselor sexually abuses his or her position of trust with you, you have recourse under both criminal and civil law.

Guidelines for Reporting Child Sexual Abuse

If you suspect that your child or any one's child is a victim of sexual abuse, you have a responsibility to report it so that state authorities to take the steps necessary to put away the perpetrator and protect other children.

Support for Child Sexual Abuse Victims

The type of support and guidance you can get from a therapist who is trained to treat victims of child sexual abuse is particularly valuable, especially if you are considering coming forward and filing a legal case against the abuser. Visit the Support page for information about some of the many resources available to help survivors of child sexual abuse.

Consultation without obligation: Contact Dallas lawyer Tahira Khan Merritt today for consultation, gratis, about your child's molestation or sexual abuse case.