Just noticed a television ad from Saunders & Walker claiming to help child sexual abuse victims hurt by priests. Here is a brief synopsis of my experience with them.
I hired this firm in 2016. They failed to help me, even made things worse. They seemed to be working for the church.
The church admitted responsibility for the actions of the priest involved, at first. There are other victims. They attempted to force me to sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) where they would write me a tiny check if I swear to keep quiet about the violent sexual attack I suffered at only 13 years of age. I refused to keep quiet and sign their NDA document.
Not only did the lawyers at Saunders & Walker immediately and without merit drop me as a client but the therapist I had just reached an important milestone with was vindictively denied me. I was in a taxi on the way to my next therapy appointment when the therapist rang me to say "payment has been stopped. No more therapy".
I still have nightmares involving the priest who raped me. My marriage of 28 years ended.
I suffer from PTSD due to being raped. Fear of intimacy, plus. I live in poverty because of the clever situation paedophiles within the church and the judicial system have created to protect them, not the children who fall victim to them everyday.
I was destroyed by a priest at 13 years of age. Then hurt again as an adult by their refusal to accept responsibility for the perverse actions of their own. Statute of Limitations laws and a culture of fear and secrecy protect the abusers. This must be changed!
Furthermore, Mr. Saunders failed to report the sex crime to the proper authorities. I did that all on my own. No help from my attorneys at Saunders and Walker. They left me high and dry.
If you have been sexually assaulted by a priest, report it to the proper authorities immediately.
By posting this it could place me in peril, put me under unfair scrutiny. That is the nature of this beast, blame the victim/protect the paedophile. I have received menacing phone calls from members of the Diocese involved.
I no longer care. My safety is less important than the safety of future victims the church may be targeting right now. My safety pales in comparison to future victims who fall prey to Sanders and Walker.
Do not rely on Joe Saunders to help you, he may be working for the church. read more