Rev. Mark Hatcher, Convicted of Child Sexual Abuse

The Rev. Mark Hatcher, the pastor of Holy Ghost Headquarters Revival Center in North Philadelphia, is convicted of sexually assaulting three children, including a congregant, between 2000 and 2008. The case played out in a courtroom in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, where all three victims testified about being preyed upon by Hatcher during their childhood.

Continued Ministry Amidst Scandal:

Even after his arrest in May 2022, Hatcher shockingly continued to preach at Holy Ghost, a congregation of several hundred members that worships inside the Met on Broad Street. This revelation raises questions about the church’s response to the allegations and potential liability for victims.

Timeline of Disturbing Allegations:

The investigation, initiated in January 2022, began when two relatives of Hatcher reported sexual abuse to Whitpain Township police. The victims, who were as young as six years old at the time of the assaults, described terrifying encounters. One victim reported the assault to Philadelphia police in 2008, though the case was not pursued by prosecutors there, underscoring the disturbing nature of the allegations.

How Can A Civil Lawsuit Help Victims Seek Justice For The Trauma They May Have Experienced By Rev. Mark Hatcher?

There are many misunderstandings about why a survivor of sexual abuse would choose to file a civil lawsuit.   Sexual abuse takes away so much from the survivors and families impacted. Our society still struggles to find ways to repair the harm done by individual perpetrators and institutions that have covered up sexual abuse.

Filing a civil case can be an essential step for survivors and their families in their journey to slowly rebuild their lives and create pathways to healing. Motivation for filing a civil suit is often questioned and unfairly stereotyped as “all about money.” This couldn’t be further from the truth for survivors of child sexual abuse. The civil justice system offers victims more than just monetary benefits. It gives survivors access to justice, validation, exposure, confrontation, and ultimately some resolution. The resolution allows survivors of sexual abuse to understand and process what happened and create a new path forward without confusion, questions, and fear.

Can I File A Lawsuit Against The Church?

Yes. You might have rights if you were a victim of Rev. Mark Hatcher.

Andreozzi + Foote is a leading sexual abuse law firm in Pennsylvania. We encourage any victims to contact us today.