St. Anthony’s Catholic Church—Clergy Sexual Abuse in El Segundo, CA
Survivors worldwide have reported child and adult sexual abuse by priests and other Catholic Clergy members. Due to decades of secrecy in the Roman Catholic Church and the reluctance of some survivors to come forward, it is impossible to identify every abuser.
Even when survivors do come forward, it may be difficult to recall the exact name of the abuser. This could be because so much time has elapsed, because of intentional efforts to repress memories of the event, or because of the brain’s protective coping mechanisms in response to significant trauma. Despite this missing detail, many will never forget the name of the church where the church sexual abuse occurred. If you have experienced clergy sexual abuse at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in El Segundo, California, or any other California place of worship, we are here to support you in your efforts to heal from the trauma you have endured. You have suffered long enough.
Clergy Sexual Abuse at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in El Segundo
Father George Neville Rucker was accused of sexually abusing approximately 40 girls as far back as 1947, a year after he was ordained. Rucker served at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church from 1962 through 1966. Although the church received reports of his inappropriate/abusive behavior, he was transferred through a series of other churches in the Los Angeles area, where he continued abusing congregation youth for another 20 years. He retired in 1987.
Rucker is believed to be one of the most prolific abusers in the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Though there are few more infamous, Rucker was not the only perpetrator of clergy sexual abuse at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in El Segundo. If you experienced church sexual abuse at this or any other place of worship, we encourage you to speak your truth and seek justice for yourself and other survivors.
St. Anthony’s Catholic Church is located at 720 E Grand Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245.
What Constitutes Church Sexual Abuse?
Sexual misconduct at the hands of Catholic Church leadership is not new but has been brought to light in a more meaningful way over the past few decades.
It is not only the perpetrator that is responsible for these crimes. As with Rucker, church leadership frequently moved accused molesters from parish to parish when their misdeeds came to light. The Archdiocese can be held responsible for its role in enabling abusers.
Not only does sexual abuse violate personal boundaries, but it also destroys trust and creates life-long mental health issues for survivors. Church sexual abuse at any age can impact the survivor’s confidence, and can impact their ability to have healthy relationships, express themselves, and make life decisions. In the case of children, it can be particularly damaging to their development.
The injustice also violates the trust of the entire religious community. This trust takes time to rebuild and many in the congregation may feel spiritually betrayed.
How to Seek Justice for Church Sexual Abuse Through the Legal System
Your first step toward bringing your abuser, and the institutions that enabled them, to justice is to seek legal counsel. The attorneys at Boucher LLP have substantial and meaningful experience with church sexual abuse cases in California. We understand how difficult it is to come forward after experiencing sexual trauma of any kind and that no two experiences are the same. We are committed to providing the individualized and compassionate service you deserve.
We are here to provide a listening ear and guidance for the best strategy to make those who committed or permitted your abuse, and the abuse of others, to pay. Whether you are bringing a case against a single clergy member, a specific church, or an entire Archdiocese, we can support your church abuse claim through negotiations, settlements, and trials.
Monetary compensation will never reverse the abuse you have endured. What it does is put the power into the hands of survivors like you and serve as an example, so that someone else may not have to experience what you have been through. Contact us for your free consultation.