Clergy Abuse in North Carolina

Sexual Assault Laws in North Carolina

North Carolina is one of many states across the country facing sexual abuse scandals in major organizations such as the Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts of America. As further experiences of systemic abuse come to light, many state lawmakers have taken legislative action to benefit victims. In North Carolina, lawmakers passed a bill with measures to protect and broaden the legal rights of survivors of sexual abuse.

North Carolina SAFE Child Act

On November 7, 2019, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed Senate Bill 199 (S199) into law. S199 is sometimes referred to as the SAFE Child Act. This bill significantly expanded the rights of survivors of child sexual abuse and sexual assault.

To benefit survivors of child sex abuse in the state of North Carolina, S199 includes the following provisions:

• S199 extends the legal deadline for civil lawsuits.
• S199 opens a 2-year “look back” window for a survivor of child sexual abuse to file a civil claim, regardless of when the abuse happened.
• S199 allows a survivor of abuse to file a civil claim within two years of a criminal felony conviction of a perpetrator. This provision is useful for survivors whose claim is filed past the legal deadline.
• S199 extends the legal deadline for certain misdemeanor crimes of abuse.
• S199 expands the duty to report child abuse.
• S199 increases the legal protections that guard children against online predators.
• S199 requires school personnel to undergo child sexual abuse and sex trafficking prevention training.

To benefit survivors of sexual assault in the state of North Carolina, S199 includes the following provisions:

• S199 makes it illegal to continue intercourse or a sexual act after the other person has revoked consent.
• S199 makes it illegal to drug someone’s beverage.
• S199 amends the definition of “mentally incapacitated” to ensure sexual assault laws apply to victims who were incapacitated through their own actions. This most commonly applies to victims incapacitated by recreational drug and alcohol use.

The majority of the provisions in S199 went into effect December 1, 2019.

North Carolina Clergy Abuse Lawsuits

Before S199 was passed, many survivors of clergy abuse were unable to file civil lawsuits against their abusers in the state of North Carolina. These survivors experienced abuse decades ago and their cases were legally expired. Several provisions in S199, including a 2-year “look back” window, allow survivors of abuse to file civil claims for abuse that occurred many years ago. Traditionally, these “look back” windows result in a significant rise in child sexual abuse lawsuits.

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Priest Sexual Abuse in North Carolina?

Victims of abuse must follow the state statutes of limitations when taking legal action against their abusers.

In North Carolina, a survivor of abuse must follow the appropriate statute of limitations for the specific crime and type of legal action they are pursuing. Criminal charges go by a different statute than civil claims.

Criminal Charges

In North Carolina, there is no time limit on any felony criminal charges. Most sexual offenses are felony offenses in North Carolina, including rape and the rape of a minor.

Civil Claims

In North Carolina, survivors of child sexual abuse may file a civil lawsuit against their abuser any time before they reach 28 years of age. Prior to the passing of the SAFE Child Act, the civil statute of limitations on sexual abuse in North Carolina was only three years. Similarly, survivors of child sex abuse had to file before they reached 21 years of age.

S199 also included another civil statute that affects survivors of childhood sexual abuse. If an abuser is criminally convicted, a survivor may file a civil suit against that abuser within two years of the conviction. This provision of the law may give some survivors, over the age of 28, a second chance at civil action.

North Carolina Legal “Look Back” Window

As part of S199, all survivors of child sexual abuse have a two-year window to file a civil claim regardless of the age of the case. This provision applies to survivors whose case will be time-barred by the new civil statute of limitations. This legal “look back” window opened on January 1, 2020. It will close on December 31, 2021.

Dioceses of North Carolina Settlements

In recent years, Catholic Dioceses across the United States have paid financial settlements to clergy abuse victims. In North Carolina, the Dioceses of Charlotte and Raleigh have reportedly paid millions of dollars to settle claims.

Over the course of seven decades, the Diocese of Raleigh reportedly paid $2,717,750 in settlements. According to an analysis of the diocese’s annual reports, the Diocese of Charlotte paid more than $2 million in settlements in just 15 years. The Catholic Diocese of Charlotte paid an additional $1.2 million in “safe environment measures” during this time as well.

List of Priests Accused of Abuse in North Carolina

This list includes North Carolina priests credibly accused of abuse. Some additional Catholic religious members facing abuse allegations can also be found on the list. However, this list of clergy members does not include church staff members, volunteers, or parishioners accused of sexual abuse. It also does not include members of other religious orders.

If you do not see the name of the clergy member you are looking for on our list of abusive priests in North Carolina, you can also search for the name using our nationwide database of accused priests. However, you do not need to find the name of the priest on our list to file a lawsuit. Our list will change as new allegations surface.

If you were abused by a clergy member in North Carolina, we can help you seek justice. Taking an abuser to court is not an easy decision, but it can have positive repercussions for a survivor and prevent additional victimization. Legal action can result in financial compensation for survivors and potentially prevent further abuse from happening, by publicly exposing abusive priests. Consult our experienced legal team today and learn more about your rights as a survivor of abuse.

North Carolina Priest Abuse Victim Resources

There are organizations and programs all across the state of North Carolina that offer resources to victims of sexual abuse or sexual assault. If you are a survivor of abuse, you are not alone.

North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault

The North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA) is an “inclusive, statewide alliance working to end sexual violence.” The organization works through three main avenues to achieve its goals: education, advocacy and legislation.

NCCASA also works with rape crisis centers all across the state. These centers offer important resources and referrals to victims of sexual assault. To get help in your area, use the resource table below to find the center closest to you.

County	Facility Name	Phone Number(s)
Alamance	CrossRoads Sexual Assault Response & Resources Center, Inc.	Hotline: 336-228-0360 Office: 336-228-0813
Alexander	The Shelter Home of Caldwell County (SHCC)	Hotline: 828-758-0888
Alleghany	D.A.N.A (Domestic Abuse is NOT Acceptable) Services	Hotline: 336-372-DANA (3262) Office: 336-372-3462
Anson	Anson County Domestic Violence Coalition (ACDVC)	Hotline: 704-690-0362 Office: 704-694-4499
Ashe	A Safe Home for Everyone (A.S.H.E.)	Hotline: 336-246-5430 Office: 336-982-8851
Avery	OASIS, Inc. (Opposing Abuse with Service, Information, and Shelter)	Hotline: 828-504-0911 Office: 828-785-5249
Beaufort	REAL Crisis Intervention	Office: 252-758-4357
Bertie	Roanoke Chowan S.A.F.E. (Services for Abused Families with Emergencies)	Office: 252-332-1933
Bladen	Families First, Inc.	Hotline: 910-641-0444
Brunswick	Rape Crisis Center of Coastal Horizons Center, Inc.	Hotline: 910-392-7460 Office: 910-754-7949
Buncombe	Our VOICE, Inc.	Hotline: 828-255-7576 Office: 828-252-0562
Burke	Options of Burke County	Hotline: 828-438-9444
Cabarrus	Esther House of Stanly County, Inc	Hotline: 828-635-8850
Caldwell	The Shelter Home of Caldwell County (SHCC)	Hotline: 828-635-8850
Camden	Albemarle Hopeline	Hotline: 252-338-3011 Office: 252-338-5338
Carteret	Carteret County Rape Crisis Program	Hotline: 252-725-4040 Office: 252-504-3668
Caswell	CrossRoads Sexual Assault Response & Resources Center, Inc.	Hotline: 336-228-0360 Office: 336-694-4250
Catawba	Family Guidance Center	Hotline: 828-302-6952 Office: 828-322-1400
Chatham	Second Bloom of Chatham and Chatham Family Violence Prevention Services	Hotline: 919-545- STOP (7867)
Cherokee	REACH of Cherokee County	Hotline: 828-837-8064 Office: 828-837-9631
Chowan	Albemarle Hopeline	Hotline: 252-338-3011 Office: 252-482-9918
Clay	REACH of Clay County	Hotline: 1-828-389-0797
Cleveland	Cleveland County Abuse Prevention Council, Inc.	Hotline: 704-481-0043 Office: 704-487-9325
Cleveland	Phoenix Counseling Center	Hotline: 855-5-CRISIS (27-4747)
Columbus	Families First, Inc.	Hotline: 910-641-0444
Craven	Promise Place	Hotline: 252-635-7096 Office: 252-636-3381
Cumberland	Rape Crisis of Cumberland County	Hotline: 910-485-7273
Currituck	Albemarle Hopeline	Hotline: 252-338-3011 Office: 252-453-8116
Dare	Outer Banks Hotline	Hotline: 252-473-3366 Office: 252-473-5121
Davidson	Family Services of Davidson County, Inc.	Hotline: 336-243-1934 Office: 336-249-0237
Davie	Davie Center for Violence Prevention	Hotline: 336-751-HELP (4357) Office: 336-751-3450
Duplin	Rape Crisis Center of Coastal Horizons Center, Inc.	Hotline: 910-392-7460 Office: 910-392-7185
Durham	Durham Crisis Response Center	Hotline: 919-403-6562 Office: 919-403-9425
Eastern Band of Cherokee	The Ernestine Walkingstick Domestic Violence Shelter	Hotline: 828-359-6830
Edgecombe	My Sister’s House	Hotline: 252-459-3094
Forsyth	Family Services Inc.	Hotline: 336-722-4457 Office: 336-722-8173
Franklin	Safe Space	Hotline: 919-497-5444
Gaston	Phoenix Counseling Center	Hotline: 855-5-CRISIS (27-4747)
Gates	Roanoke Chowan S.A.F.E. (Services for Abused Families with Emergencies)	Office: 252-332-1933
Gates	Albemarle Hopeline	Hotline: 252-338-3011 Office: 252-338-5338
Graham	N/A*	N/A*
Granville	Families Living Violence Free	Office: 919-693-3579
Greene	REAL Crisis Intervention	Office: 252-758-4357
Guilford	Family Service of the Piedmont	Hotline: 336-273-7273 (Greensboro) Hotline: 336-889-7273 (High Point) Office: 336-387-6161
Halifax	Hannah’s Place	Hotline: 252-541-2064 Office: 252-541-2037
Harnett	SAFE of Harnett County, Inc.	Hotline: 910-893-7233
Haywood	REACH of Haywood County	Hotline: 828-456-7898
Henderson	Safelight	Hotline: 828-693-3840
Hertford	Roanoke Chowan S.A.F.E. (Services for Abused Families with Emergencies)	Office: 252-332-1933
Hoke	Hoke County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center, Inc.	Hotline: 910-875-4494 Office: 910-878-0118
Hyde	Hyde County Hotline	Hotline: 1-252-925-2500 Office: 252-925-2502
Iredell	Fifth Street MinistriesDiakonos, Inc.	Office: 704-872-4045
Jackson	REACH of Macon County	Hotline: 828-586-8969
Johnston	Harbor, Inc.	Hotline: 919-631-5478 Office: 919-938-3566
Jones	Promise Place	Hotline: 252-635-7096 Office: 252-448-1069
Lee	HAVEN in Lee County	Hotline: 919-774-8923
Lenoir	REAL Crisis Intervention	Office: 252-758-4357
Lincoln	Phoenix Counseling Center	Hotline: 855-5-CRISIS (27-4747)
McDowell	New HOPE of McDowell	Hotline: 828-652-6150 Office: 828-652-8538
Macon	REACH of Macon County	Hotline: 828-369-5544
Madison	My Sister’s Place	Hotline: 828-649-2446 Office: 828-649-2582
Martin	REAL Crisis Intervention	Office: 252-758-4357
Mecklenburg	Safe Alliance, Inc.	Hotline: 980-771-4673 Office: 704-332-9034
Mitchell	Mitchell County SafePlace, Inc.	Hotline: 828-765-4044 Office: 828-765-4015
Montgomery	Esther House of Stanly County, Inc	Hotline: 704-961-7500
Moore	Friend to Friend	Hotline: 910-947-3333
Nash	My Sister’s House	Hotline: 252-459-3094
New Hanover	Rape Crisis Center of Coastal Horizons Center, Inc.	Hotline: 910-392-7460 Office: 910-392-7185
Northampton	Roanoke Chowan S.A.F.E. (Services for Abused Families with Emergencies)	Office: 252-332-1933
Onslow	Onslow Women’s Center, Inc.	Hotline: 910-347-4000 Office: 910-238-2941
Orange	Orange County Rape Crisis Center	Hotline: 919-967-7273 Office: 919-968-4647
Pamlico	Promise Place	Hotline: 252-635-7096 Office: 252-745-9439
Pasquotank	Albemarle Hopeline	Hotline: 252-338-3011 Office: 252-338-5338
Pender	Rape Crisis Center of Coastal Horizons Center, Inc.	Hotline: 910-392-7460 Office: 910-803-2111
Perquimans	Albemarle Hopeline	Hotline: 252-338-3011 Office: 252-338-5338
Person	Safe Haven of Person County	Hotline: 336-599-7233 Office: 336-330-0331
Pitt	REAL Crisis Intervention	Office: 252-758-4357
Polk	Steps to H.O.P.E., Inc.	Hotline: 828-894-2340
Randolph	Randolph County Family Crisis Center	Hotline: 336-629-4159 (Asheboro) Hotline: 336-434-5579 (Archdale) Office: 336-610-1750
Richmond	New Horizons: Life and Family Services	Hotline: 910-997-4840 Office: 910-997-4448
Robeson	Rape Crisis Center of Robeson County	Hotline: 910-739-6278
Rockingham	Help Inc. Center Against Violence	Hotline: 336-342-3332 Office: 336-342-3331
Rowan	Family Crisis Council of Rowan, Inc.	Hotline: 704-636-4718 ext. 1
Rutherford	Family Resources of Rutherford County	Office: 828-247-1440
Sampson	U Care, Inc.	Hotline: 910-596-0931
Scotland	Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Center of Scotland County	Hotline: 910-276-6268 Office: 910-276-5505
Stanly	Esther House of Stanly County, Inc	Hotline: 704-961-7500
Stokes	Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault ProgramsYadkin Valley Economic Development District, Inc. (YVEDDI)	Hotline: 336-593-9323 Office: 336-593-7011
Surry	Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault ProgramsYadkin Valley Economic Development District, Inc. (YVEDDI)	Hotline: 336-356-2014 Office: 336-443-4030
Swain	Swain-Qualla Safe Inc.	Office: 828-488-9038
Transylvania	SAFE, Inc. of Transylvania County	Office: 828-885-7233
Tyrrell	Tyrrell County Inner Banks Hotline	Hotline: 1-877-429-5526 Office: 252-796-5526
Union	Turning Point, Inc.	Hotline: 704-283-7770 Office: 704-283-9150
Vance	Infinite Possibilities, Inc.	Hotline: 252-425-2492 Office: 252-431-1926
Wake	Interact	Hotline: 919-828-3005 Office: 919-828-7501
Warren	Infinite Possibilities, Inc.	Hotline: 252-425-2492 Office: 252-431-1926
Washington	REAL Crisis Intervention	Office: 252-758-4357
Watauga	OASIS, Inc. (Opposing Abuse with Service, Information, and Shelter)	Hotline: 828-262-5035 Office: 828-264-1532
Wayne	Wayne Uplift Resource Association, Inc.	Office: 919-736-1313
Wilkes	N/A*	N/A*
Wilson	Wesley Shelter, Inc.	Hotline: 252-291-2344
Yadkin	Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault ProgramsYadkin Valley Economic Development District, Inc. (YVEDDI)	Hotline: 336-679-2072 Office: 336-849-4070
Yancey	Family Violence Coalition of Yancey County	Hotline: 828-682-0056 Office: 828-678-3436
Source:	North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault

North Carolina Clergy Abuse FAQs

How Do I Report Sexual Abuse by a Priest in North Carolina?

To report any sexual abuse:

Contact your local law enforcement agency to report sexual abuse.

To report sexual abuse of a minor:

You can report child abuse, child sexual abuse or neglect to your local law enforcement or to your county Department of Social Services.

To report sexual abuse to the Charlotte Diocese:

The Diocese of Charlotte contracted the third-party reporting organization — Red Flag Reporting — to launch a reporting hotline for victims of abuse. You can reach the hotline at 1-888-630-5929 or you can file an online allegation here.

To report sexual abuse to the Raleigh Diocese:

If you were abused by a clergy member or church personnel in the Raleigh Diocese, you can report your claim to the Office of Child and Youth Protection. You can make the report by calling 1-866-535-SAFE (7233) or by emailing [email protected].

Do I Have to Currently Live in North Carolina to File a North Carolina Priest Abuse Lawsuit?

No. You do not need to live in the state of North Carolina to file a clergy abuse lawsuit there. But, there must be some legal connection between the case and the state of North Carolina. Some examples of legal connections include:

• The abuse occurred in North Carolina.
• The responsible organization is headquartered in North Carolina.