Trust is the first thing clergy abuse survivors lose, and it is often the hardest thing to get back. When a priest, pastor, or youth minister turns spiritual authority into a weapon against a child or a vulnerable adult, the harm reaches far beyond that one encounter, into faith, family, and every relationship that follows.

At Wagner Reese, LLP, we represent sexual abuse survivors in Indianapolis, including clergy abuse cases. Our attorneys have more than 28 years of combined experience and are recognized by Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America. Your first consultation is free and confidential, and you owe no fee unless we recover compensation for you.

⏱ Time-Sensitive Filing Window for Indiana Clergy Abuse Claims

Indiana survivors of childhood sexual abuse generally have until age 25 to file a civil claim.

28+ years representing Indiana survivors, no fee unless we recover compensation, and a free, confidential case review.

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Clergy Abuse Claims in Indianapolis

Cases in Indianapolis can involve parishes, schools, youth groups, camps, retreats, and counseling relationships. Much of the public attention has focused on Catholic institutions, but abuse can occur in any faith community where an adult holds spiritual authority over a child or a vulnerable person.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis is one of Indiana’s five Catholic dioceses. In October 2018, it released a list of clergy it considered credibly accused of sexually abusing minors or young people, and it said it would update the list if new credible claims surfaced. A public list can give a survivor a starting point for understanding what an institution may have known.

The scale of child sexual abuse is far wider than any single institution. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that at least one in four girls and one in 20 boys in the United States experience child sexual abuse, and about 90 percent of it is committed by someone the child or family knows and trusts.

How Institutions May Be Held Responsible

A civil claim can examine what church leaders knew and how they responded, not only what one individual did. Two patterns come up again and again in clergy abuse cases.

Failure to Act on Warnings

Institutions may face liability when they ignore reports, move a person to a new assignment instead of addressing a concern, or fail to supervise people who have regular access to children.

Records That Tell the Story

We look at personnel files, internal communications, earlier complaints, and review board records, along with medical and counseling records, to show what happened and who was in a position to stop it.

Patterns like these can show that harm was preventable, and they often form the foundation of a strong civil claim against the institution involved.

Statute of Limitations for Clergy Abuse Claims in Indianapolis

Indiana survivors of childhood sexual abuse generally have until their 25th birthday to file a civil claim, though the clock can start differently depending on when the abuse occurred and who is named in the claim. Survivors who were abused as adults face a shorter window, so confirming your deadline early protects your options.

State lawmakers have also opened narrow exceptions for survivors pursuing claims against institutions in bankruptcy proceedings. In 2024, Indiana passed House Enrolled Act 1047, which allowed certain previously expired claims against specified entities in bankruptcy to proceed through mid-2025. Our guide to the Indiana sexual assault statute of limitations explains how these deadlines and exceptions can apply to your situation.

Indiana Filing Deadline at a Glance

Most childhood sexual abuse survivors must file by age 25. Waiting can mean losing the right to hold an institution accountable, so speak with an attorney as soon as you are ready.

Steps to Take Right Now

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. Anyone who suspects a child is being abused should also report it to Indiana’s Child Abuse Hotline and to local law enforcement so the concern is officially recorded and can be investigated. If your child is being harmed in a church setting, keep your child away from that person and that place while the report is handled.

Avoid confronting the clergy member yourself, because a confrontation can put a child at risk or affect an investigation. Once the immediate steps are taken, an attorney can explain your civil options, including how to preserve records and whether a claim against an institution may be possible.

Preparing for Your First Meeting

You do not need proof in hand to speak with us, and you do not need to remember every detail. If you would like to bring information, these items can help:

  • Dates and locations: approximate dates and locations where the abuse occurred
  • Names: clergy members, staff, or volunteers involved
  • Records: letters, messages, photographs, or other documentation you still have
  • Prior reports: any report you or your family made to church leaders

If you are missing some of these items, we can still help you understand your options. Many records are held by institutions, and we know how to seek them.

Photo of Abuse Victim

Related Settings Where Abuse Occurs

Clergy are not the only trusted adults who can abuse their position. Adults in authority over children appear in many settings, including schools and universities, youth sports leagues, and daycares and preschools.

The same questions often apply in each setting. Who had access, who was supervising, and who received warning signs? Our attorneys ask those questions carefully, whatever the organization.

Our Sexual Abuse Team

Our sexual abuse team, including Stephanie L. Cassman and Jeff S. Gibson, treats each survivor as a person first and a client second. We listen without judgment, protect your privacy, and explain each stage of the process in plain language.

We understand that trauma can affect memory and the ability to speak about what happened. We never rush a survivor, and we will not pressure you to file a claim. You can learn more about our firm’s history and approach on our about us page, and our role here is to provide clear information so you can make the decision that is right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Clergy Abuse Claims in Indianapolis

Clergy abuse cases raise difficult questions, and these are the ones we hear most often from survivors and families in Indianapolis.

Do I have a valid clergy abuse claim in Indianapolis? +
Many clergy abuse claims are strengthened by records showing an institution knew about or ignored warning signs. If you were abused by clergy, a staff member, or a volunteer in a church, school, camp, or counseling setting in Indianapolis, our attorneys can review what happened and explain whether a civil claim may be possible.
What is the deadline to file a clergy abuse claim in Indiana? +
Indiana survivors of childhood sexual abuse generally have until age 25 to file a civil claim, though certain institutional bankruptcy proceedings have opened narrow, time-limited exceptions. Because deadlines vary by circumstance, the safest step is to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
How much does it cost to hire a clergy abuse attorney in Indianapolis? +
We handle clergy abuse cases on a contingency basis, so there is no upfront cost and no fee unless we recover compensation for you. Your first consultation is always free and confidential.
Can family members file a claim if a survivor has passed away? +
In many situations, family members can pursue a claim on behalf of a survivor who has died, particularly when the abuse contributed to the circumstances of their death. We can review the details of your family member’s case and explain the options available.
Which Indianapolis institutions have faced clergy abuse claims? +
Claims in the Indianapolis area have involved parishes, schools, youth groups, and counseling programs connected to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and other faith communities. Abuse can occur in any organization where an adult holds spiritual authority over a child or vulnerable adult.
What if I am not sure whether what happened counts as clergy abuse? +
You do not need to have every detail figured out before reaching out. Our attorneys can listen to what you experienced and help you understand whether it may support a civil claim, without judgment or pressure.

Speak With Wagner Reese, LLP in Indianapolis

Whether the abuse happened last year or decades ago, your experience matters, and our attorneys bring more than 28 years of combined experience holding individuals and institutions accountable for survivors across Indiana. We are recognized by Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America, and we are ready to listen, answer your questions, and pursue accountability from the people and institutions responsible.

To talk with our team in confidence, contact our office and schedule a free consultation. You do not have to face this alone.