Deadline Set for Sexual Abuse Survivors in Diocese of San Diego Bankruptcy Case
Survivors Must Take Action by February 3, 2025
“This is the Bishop’s playbook designed to oppress survivors.” – Jeff Anderson, attorney
(San Diego, CA) – Today, in United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California, Judge Christopher Latham ruled that the claims bar date for survivors sexually abused in the Diocese of San Diego is February 3, 2025. This means survivors have until February 3rd to take legal action or their rights will be extinguished.
Over 450 survivors filed lawsuits in state court against the Diocese of San Diego for sexual abuse under the California Child Victims Act. It is very likely there are more survivors out there who have yet to take legal action.
“The Bishop’s choice to use bankruptcy is a choice to avoid accountability, transparency and hide assets.” – Jeff Anderson, attorney
The Diocese of San Diego filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on June 17, 2024, following the playbook of its fellow California dioceses. The Diocese of Sacramento (4.1.2024), the Diocese of Santa Rosa (3.13.2023), the Diocese of Oakland (5.8.2023), and the Archdiocese of San Francisco (8.21.23) have already filed for bankruptcy protection in the wake of child sexual abuse lawsuits. The Diocese of Fresno is expected to file for bankruptcy in the coming months.
“Trauma has no timeline, and survivors should not feel pressure to come forward,” said attorney Stacey Benson. “However, because the Diocese chose to file bankruptcy to evade truth and accountability, survivors now have less than three months to take legal action in bankruptcy court, and on February 3, 2025, their rights will expire.”