San Diego & San Bernardino Sexual Abuse Case Status
- As of 2024, numerous sexual abuse claims have been filed across the Diocese of San Diego and surrounding areas, following California’s statute of limitations reforms that allow survivors of historical abuse to come forward.
- The Diocese of San Diego has released a list of credibly accused priests, acknowledging decades of abuse allegations involving clergy and educators.
- Courts in California are handling ongoing cases involving both clergy abuse and recent incidents with teachers and staff accused of child exploitation.
- Attorneys continue to investigate and file claims on behalf of survivors, including those impacted by institutional negligence, emotional trauma, and financial losses related to the abuse.
2024 San Diego & San Bernardino Sexual Abuse Legal Updates
May 2025 Update: Former “Teacher of the Year” Jacqueline Ma was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for sexually abusing two students and possessing child sexual abuse materials.
2024 Update: A teacher at St. Augustine Catholic High School in San Diego was federally charged with distributing child sexual abuse materials, highlighting continued risks within educational institutions.
Ongoing: Survivors of clergy abuse continue to file lawsuits under California’s expanded laws, seeking compensation for decades-old cases of molestation, cover-ups, and transfers of abusive priests within the Diocese.
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Historical San Diego Abuse Developments
2007 Settlement: The Diocese of San Diego agreed to pay nearly $200 million to hundreds of victims of clergy sexual abuse, one of the largest settlements of its kind in the U.S.
1990s–2000s: Internal documents revealed systemic cover-ups, with abusive priests moved between parishes rather than removed from ministry, echoing patterns seen nationwide.
San Diego & San Bernardino Sexual Abuse Settlement Updates
2007 Settlement: The Diocese of San Diego reached a $198.1 million settlement with 144 victims of clergy sexual abuse, one of the largest payouts by a Catholic diocese in the United States at the time. This settlement provided compensation for decades of abuse and institutional negligence.
2005 Settlement: Prior to the 2007 agreement, the diocese paid $30 million to 59 victims of clergy sexual abuse, acknowledging systemic failures in protecting children.
Ongoing: New lawsuits continue to be filed in California courts under the state’s extended statute of limitations, holding the Diocese of San Diego and affiliated institutions accountable for historic abuse and cover-ups.
San Diego & San Bernardino Sexual Abuse Litigation
With the passage of California’s Child Victims Act, which temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, hundreds of new cases have been filed against Catholic dioceses, schools, and other institutions across Southern California.
These cases are being consolidated for more efficient handling, with coordinated discovery and pretrial rulings aimed at addressing decades of abuse and institutional negligence. Judges are overseeing sensitive claims to balance survivor testimony, historical records, and institutional accountability.
As with other jurisdictions, bellwether trials may be used to test jury responses and guide future settlement discussions, though individual compensation varies significantly depending on the nature of the abuse and evidence presented.
Sexual Abuse Trauma and Institutional Negligence
Representative cases from San Diego and San Bernardino involve:
- Clergy abuse and cover-ups
- Institutional negligence in Catholic schools
- Delayed reporting by survivors
- Psychological and therapy-related damages
Survivor Mental Health and Long-Term Impacts
Many lawsuits emphasize the long-term consequences of sexual abuse, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Chronic depression and anxiety
- Substance abuse struggles
- Difficulty maintaining relationships and employment
San Diego & San Bernardino Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Frequently Asked Questions
Who Are The Defendants In These Cases?
Defendants include the Diocese of San Diego, individual clergy members, Catholic schools, and affiliated institutions accused of concealing or enabling abuse.
Who Qualifies To File A Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
Any individual who was sexually abused by clergy, teachers, or authority figures in San Diego or San Bernardino may qualify to file a lawsuit, regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred, under California’s revived statute of limitations.
What Is The Statute Of Limitations?
California law opened a window from 2020 to 2022 that allowed survivors of any age to bring forward claims of childhood sexual abuse. Many cases were filed during this period, and survivors are encouraged to act quickly as deadlines for certain claims approach.
What Settlement Amounts Can Be Expected?
Settlement amounts vary, but historical cases like the $198.1 million payout in 2007 demonstrate the potential for significant compensation, particularly in cases involving institutional negligence and systemic cover-ups.
Who Can File a San Diego or San Bernardino Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
Survivors of clergy abuse, teacher misconduct, or institutional negligence—as well as guardians filing on behalf of minors—can pursue lawsuits seeking justice, accountability, and financial compensation.
