Shawn Gooden has held many leadership positions, including as a former bishop with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Boy Scouts, and a lawyer in central Pennsylvania.

Shawn Gooden was charged with several counts of child sexual abuse, including rape, in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Gooden pleaded guilty just last week on charges in Virginia for child sexual assault dating back to the 1900s and early 2000. ABC27 News first reported on this story.

What we know to be true of child sexual offenders is where there is one victim, there usually are more. The police are urging other victims to come forward.

You are not alone.

Andreozzi + Foote lawyers offer experience and a trauma-informed approach when seeking justice for our clients.

How Can A Civil Lawsuit Help Victims Seek Justice For The Trauma They May Have Experienced By Shawn Gooden?

There are many misunderstandings about why a survivor of sexual abuse would choose to file a civil lawsuit.   Child 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 child sexual abuse.  Outdated statutes of limitations across our country leave far too many survivors denied access to our criminal or civil justice courts.

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 being “all about money. Filing a civil lawsuit can cast survivors as “money hungry” and is weaponized to shame and blame them even more. 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 Boy Scouts or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints?

Yes. You have rights if you were a victim of Shawn Gooden while he was employed at these organizations.

The skilled lawyers of Andreozzi + Foote have experience working with the law in Pennsylvania and nationwide.  Don’t hesitate to contact us today to discuss your possible legal rights.

We know it can be hard to talk about these experiences. Our compassionate sexual abuse lawyers are here to listen and provide knowledgeable legal guidance. We provide free, confidential case evaluations where you can learn more about your rights and options under your state’s laws, contact Andreozzi + Foote today.