Southern Baptist - Law Offices of Owen, Patterson and Owen

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Owen, Patterson & Owen is Helping Sexual Abuse Survivors Hold Southern Baptist Convention Leaders Accountable

No one should EVER have the right to diminish and dismiss the trauma you experienced from sexual abuse. Not even your church or its leadership.

For nearly 20 years, sexual abuse survivors and others contacted the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee (EC) to report child molesters and other abusers who were in the church.

As a 2022 Report indicates: “They made phone calls, mailed letters, sent emails, appeared at SBC and EC meetings, held rallies, and contacted the press . . . only to be met, time and time again, with resistance, stonewalling, and even outright hostility from some within the EC.”

A Legacy of Sexual Abuse and Victim Condemnation

Senior Executive Committee leaders, along with their outside counsel, controlled the EC’s response to these abuse reports for many years. They held any information they had relating to allegations of abuse and related lawsuits close to the vest to avoid liability on the part of the Southern Baptist Convention. Not even an afterthought, survivors of the alleged abuse were simply ignored, accused of lying, or as cited by many, were told nothing could be done to address their reports of abuse.

Survivors Speak Out

In time, survivors began to come together and speak out about the sexual abuse. Ultimately, a Task Force was approved and put in place to supervise an investigation into how the EC handled and mishandled the sexual abuse allegations. The report covered actions and decisions (regarding, among other things, mistreatment of victims, routine intimidation of victims and advocates, and resistance to sexual abuse reform initiatives) of EC members and staff from January 2000 to June 2021.

The Executive Committee Chooses Sides – the Wrong Side

The investigation found many of the allegations to be credible and often mishandled. Moreover, despite the EC having collected reports of the abuse for over a decade, the investigation found no evidence that any action was taken to ensure that the accused ministers had been removed from their positions of power at the Southern Baptist Convention churches. An EC staff member maintained a list that contained the names of 703 abusers. Still, despite this list of abusers and countless reports of sexual abuse, the EC leaders chose to turn against the victims of sexual abuse instead of putting measures in place to help them and opted to support the alleged sex abusing ministers.

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Consultation




    Were you or a loved one a part of the Southern Baptist Convention?

    Were you or a loved one involved in an inappropriate relationship with any member of the Southern Baptist Convention?

    Were you or a loved one sexually abused by any member of the Southern Baptist Convention?

    Would you like to speak to an attorney about your possible case?

    How Did You Hear About Us?*

    The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.

    Disclaimer:

    No one should EVER have the right to diminish and dismiss the trauma you experienced from sexual abuse. Not even your church or its leadership.

    For nearly 20 years, sexual abuse survivors and others contacted the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee (EC) to report child molesters and other abusers who were in the church.

    As a 2022 Report indicates: “They made phone calls, mailed letters, sent emails, appeared at SBC and EC meetings, held rallies, and contacted the press . . . only to be met, time and time again, with resistance, stonewalling, and even outright hostility from some within the EC.”

    A Legacy of Sexual Abuse and Victim Condemnation

    Senior Executive Committee leaders, along with their outside counsel, controlled the EC’s response to these abuse reports for many years. They held any information they had relating to allegations of abuse and related lawsuits close to the vest to avoid liability on the part of the Southern Baptist Convention. Not even an afterthought, survivors of the alleged abuse were simply ignored, accused of lying, or as cited by many, were told nothing could be done to address their reports of abuse.

    Survivors Speak Out

    In time, survivors began to come together and speak out about the sexual abuse. Ultimately, a Task Force was approved and put in place to supervise an investigation into how the EC handled and mishandled the sexual abuse allegations. The report covered actions and decisions (regarding, among other things, mistreatment of victims, routine intimidation of victims and advocates, and resistance to sexual abuse reform initiatives) of EC members and staff from January 2000 to June 2021.

    The Executive Committee Chooses Sides – the Wrong Side

    The investigation found many of the allegations to be credible and often mishandled. Moreover, despite the EC having collected reports of the abuse for over a decade, the investigation found no evidence that any action was taken to ensure that the accused ministers had been removed from their positions of power at the Southern Baptist Convention churches. An EC staff member maintained a list that contained the names of 703 abusers. Still, despite this list of abusers and countless reports of sexual abuse, the EC leaders chose to turn against the victims of sexual abuse instead of putting measures in place to help them and opted to support the alleged sex abusing ministers.

    Contact Us Today

    Request a Free
    Consultation




      Were you or a loved one a part of the Southern Baptist Convention?

      Were you or a loved one involved in an inappropriate relationship with any member of the Southern Baptist Convention?

      Were you or a loved one sexually abused by any member of the Southern Baptist Convention?

      Would you like to speak to an attorney about your possible case?

      How Did You Hear About Us?*

      The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.

      Disclaimer:

      STANDING UP FOR WHAT’S RIGHT

      Schedule a Free Consultation with our experienced attorneys today.

      Toll Free 800-676-5295

      The Legal Team That Has Helped Make History

      Nationally recognized for pursuing high-profile cases against people in positions of authority – – and bringing truth to power, Owen, Patterson & Owen will stand up for SBC/EC survivors and legally represent them in their fight against:

      • the church’s culture of silence and secrecy that intimidated survivors from speaking up about abuse
      • abusers who use scripture and your faith as a weapon to control you
      • a pattern of intimidation of sexual abuse advocates
      • the mishandling of abuse allegations
      • the wide-ranging mistreatment of child sex abuse victims

       

      A Reputation for Results

      $30 Million Global Settlement:
      Re: 14 of the victims in the Miramonte Child Sexual Abuse case, helping them receive compensation for the abuse they suffered.

      $12.5 Million Jury Verdict:
      Re: An Elder Sexual Abuse victim

      $3.5 million settlement:
      Re: A 16-year-old boy molested by his baseball coach for 3 years.

      $1 million settlement:
      Re: Female stroke victim in residential care facility molested by a maintenance staff.

      $780,000 settlement:
      Re: Leader of Boy Scout Troop sponsored by local Catholic Church took 12-year-old boy on “special” camping trips where he would “snuggle” in the same sleeping bag.

      Here’s How You Know You Have the Right Law Firm in Your Corner

      Owen, Patterson & Owen is a safe community for survivors who’ve suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Southern Baptist Convention.

      In our decades of experience, we’ve seen how sexual abuse is handled in many church communities and what justice looks like for the victims. This expertise guides our work. You can rest assured that your case will be handled as it should be.

      Experienced Sexual Abuse Lawyers Prepared to Pave the Way for Justice and Healing

      There’s a reason survivors of sexual abuse routinely tell other sexual abuse survivors about Owen, Patterson & Owen’s lawyers.

      They share this insight because sexual abuse survivors know that getting justice for our clients doesn’t come to an abrupt end just because we’ve won them a multimillion-dollar settlement or verdict.

      It ends when you’re on your way to feeling whole.
      It ends when you have the mechanisms in place to help you heal.
      It ends when you show signs you’re able to move on and lead a productive life.

      We know many law firms say, “you’re family.” But, at OPO, you’re actually treated and supported like a respected family member. That’s because our interest in your case’s success is not merely legal. It’s personal.

      We have children. We have siblings. We have parents.

      And we never let each other forget that. So, for us . . . it’s always personal.

      Call Owen, Patterson & Owen at 888-OPO-WINS or submit the FREE consultation form to discuss your Southern Baptist Convention sexual abuse case with an experienced attorney. Your story and any other information you share with our office is kept in the strictest of confidence.

      Speak to a
      Sexual Abuse
      Lawsuit Attorney
      Today for Free

      Learn About Your Rights and Legal Options

      If you or a family member have been the victimized by the Southern Baptist Church, contact Owen, Patterson & Owen at 800-676-5295 or contact us for a consultation. During this free evaluation, an experienced attorney will review your case and advise your best options for a successful outcome.
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