Victor Manuel Hernandez, pastor of Iglesia Pentecostes Movimiento de Gloria in Richmond, California, was arrested on charges kidnapping and “aggravated sexual assault of a child under the age of 14.” Allegations concerning Hernandez surfaced several months ago, which launched an investigation by Richmond police. Then, on Friday, December 1, 2023, Hernandez was placed under arrest.
Were you or someone you know sexually abused by Pastor Victor Manuel Hernandez or another religious official at Iglesia Pentecostes Movimiento de Gloria? Has the impact of sexual abuse devastated your personal relationships, career aspirations, and other areas of your life? The sexual abuse lawyers of Normandie are here to fight for you and the justice you deserve by law. For a free consultation on your rights as a childhood sex abuse victim, contact us today.
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Sexual Abuse Allegations against Victor Manuel Hernandez
Sadly, the victim that led to Hernandez’s arrest was far from the only one that suffered at the hands of this predatory church leader. This is an all too familiar pattern we run into, especially in cases of child sexual assault.
One heartbreaking story involves Karen Cifuentes, who was 13 years old when she was raped by Hernandez. According to Karen, the pastor coerced her into a sexual relationship over the span of 3 years. He convinced her that it was God’s will, but deep inside, she felt disgusted and ashamed because he was married, her pastor, and much older than her.
She kept the incidents to herself for the next 8 years, but “It changed my life totally…It killed me. I did not think the same, my grades went down…I acted out. I could not tell my parents anything and I was always angry.”
Karen’ts father, Pablo Cifuentes, talked about his guilt and anger when she finally told him the truth. Her mother, Sonia Gonzales was devastated as well and told ABC 7 News, “I couldn’t believe it…I thought it was my fault for confiding in him. We went to that church searching for love, searching for help, and we found it, but in the end we were damaged.”
As you can see, the impact of sexual abuse has far-reaching consequences for many people. The abusers, as well as the people and organizations that enable them, must be held accountable for their negligence and misconduct.
Can I Sue the Church if I was Sexually Abused by a Pastor?
Yes, you can sue Iglesia Pentecostes Movimiento de Gloria or any other church for the sexual abuse of a minor. In order to go through with a lawsuit, you must prove:
- The church had a duty of care to you.
- They church breached their duty of care through one or more acts of negligence.
- Due to their negligence, you suffered physical and/or emotional injuries
- The harm you’ve suffered entitles you to monetary damages, like emotional distress, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
Negligent behavior by a church can take place in many forms, ranging from failing to contact the authorities to concealing evidence that a child was abused by one of their members. Keep in mind that even the suspicion of sexual abuse must be reported under California’s mandatory reporting laws. Thus, the argument that there was no physical evidence to support that victim’s claims is not a valid reason to stay silent when there are accusations of child abuse.
Unfortunately, deliberate misconduct and ignorance is far too common with these cases. The result is that sexual predators are enabled, while innocent children are left with the permanent scars of sexual exploitation. Figuring out who is responsible and bringing them to account is our primary goal here at Normandie Law Firm. Please contact us to discuss your case with a child sexual assault lawsuit lawyer.
Average Value of a Lawsuit for Sexual Abuse of a Child
On average, cases for sexual abuse of an underage individual are worth $1,000,000 to $5,000,000. Many people contact us to ask what their lawsuit is worth, but this is something we will need to figure out together after learning many details about your case. The degree of injury you’ve suffered, acts of negligent conduct by the church, and many other issues are used to calculate the settlement value of a church sexual abuse case. For some abuse victims, a settlement of $500,000 or less is adequate, but other lawsuits may be settled for over $10,000,000.
Length of Time to Settle a Sexual Assault Lawsuit
A lawsuit for sexual assault against a minor takes around 12 to 24 months to settle. We know that this timeline may be longer than you expected, and frankly, there’s no way to know for sure how long it will take to reach a settlement. There are times when a sex abuse claim is settled within 6 months, but the vast majority of these cases take 12 to 18 months. The trial process can add 1 or more years to the settlement process, but it’s important to note that over 95% of child abuse lawsuits are settled out of court.
How Long Do I have to File a Lawsuit against Iglesia Pentecostes Movimiento de Gloria?
How much time you have sue for acts of sexual assault while you were a child is based on either of these guidelines
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Up to 22 years from turning 18 years old (your 40th birthday)
- 5 years of discovering a sexual abuse-related injury, either of a physical or psychological nature
Under California laws, you can base the statute of limitations for a church sexual abuse claim on the date that comes later. Thus, even if you are over 40, you may be eligible for a lawsuit if you can prove the discovery of an injury from being abused while you were under the age of consent.
For example, you go to a therapist after many years of dealing with mental health issues that compromise your professional life and personal relationships. At some point, you reveal that you were sexually assaulted by a pastor at your church, but you were too ashamed to tell anyone. Your therapist helps you understand the link between your current suffering and the abuse that took place when you were a teenager.
Now that you’ve discovered a mental health injury resulting from sexual assault, you have 5 years to demand compensation from the people that failed you. However, making a solid case for a lawsuit is challenging when you are past the normal statute of limitations. For advice and guidance from an experienced attorney, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Contact Normandie Law Firm
Taking advantage of a child’s innocence is one of the worst crimes anyone can commit. But sexual abuse by a religious leader is particularly harmful, as in the case of Karen Cifuentes, who was told by her abuser that sex between them was “God’s will.”
The sexual assault lawyers of Normandie are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. We can help you, whether you are debating the possibility of filing a lawsuit or need a free second opinion on an active case. No matter what, you pay $0 out of pocket under the Zero Fee Guarantee, since the only way we get paid is by winning your case.
Contact us immediately to schedule a free case review if you or your loved one was sexually abused by a pastor, priest, or any other religious leader.
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