Investigation Uncovers Decades of Ignored Child Sexual Abuse in Tucson Church

Allegations of sexual abuse at Golden Dawn Tabernacle in Tucson went ignored or swept aside for decades, according to an investigation into the apparent culture of silence at the Arizona church.

An investigation led by Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team and Arizona Daily Star has uncovered some troubling information about a Tucson, Arizona church. The inquiry revealed multiple allegations of child sexual abuse by members of Golden Dawn Tabernacle over several decades. These claims were ignored, covered up, and swept aside by the members of church leadership, including the pastor.

Pastor Isaac Noriega admitted that he was aware of alleged sexual abuse of an 11-year old boy, but did not report the abuse to the police. The survivor’s perpetrator is a congregant who currently remains in good standing in the church, according to Tucson.com. Nine former church members who were interviewed during the investigation suggested that there was a “culture of silence” surrounding child sexual abuse—which was pervasive in the church since the 1980s. Other survivors indicated that they were cast out from the church and shunned, while their alleged perpetrators were forgiven and welcomed back openly. As many as twenty former church members described Golden Dawn as a “cult,” the investigation found.

In the early 2000s, a 25-year old male church member allegedly “groomed” and “preyed upon” a teenage girl attending Golden Dawn. She says he raped her. “I didn’t even know how to say no,” she said. “I just didn’t know what to do.” The perpetrator denied the allegations, however multiple people corroborated the girl’s story. Still, Pastor Noriega ignored the claims and denied responsibility—the perpetrator was the son of the top church deacon, at the time.

According to several former Golden Dawn congregates, women who lose their virginity before marriage—like the young survivor—are shunned from the church. She hasn’t spoken to her family, who remain members of the church, in two decades.

Multiple other allegations of sexual assault and abuse—and the pervasive silence over it—have permeated the culture at Golden Dawn, leaving survivors feeling hopeless and dejected. All sexual abuse survivors deserve justice for what they endured. Contact the attorneys at Grant & Eisenhofer today if you are ready to take your first step toward seeking accountability from those who harmed you.

Grant & Eisenhofer P.A. Takes Clergy Child Sexual Abuse Cases Nationwide. Contact Our Law Firm Today.

Our attorneys represent survivors of child sexual abuse by members of religious institutions. We help survivors seek damages for the harm they suffered, even if the abuse occurred decades ago.

If you or a loved one are a sexual abuse survivor, speak with our attorneys as soon as possible. Our legal team can help you determine if you have a viable clergy sexual assault claim and answer your legal questions.