Many survivors of clergy abuse spent years believing the person who harmed them deserved respect, obedience, and trust. When a pastor, priest, or youth minister uses that trust to abuse a child or a vulnerable adult, the damage can reach into faith, family, and every relationship that follows.
At Wagner Reese, LLP, we represent clergy abuse survivors in Indianapolis as part of our broader work for sexual abuse survivors. Our attorneys are recognized by Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America, and your first consultation is free and confidential. You owe no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
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.
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. Patterns like these can show that harm was preventable.
Records That Tell the Story
We look at personnel files, internal communications, earlier complaints, and review board records, along with the survivor’s medical and counseling records. Together, these documents help show what happened and who was in a position to stop it.
Filing Deadlines
Indiana sets different time limits for adults and for survivors of childhood abuse, and some situations can change when the clock starts. Our guide to the Indiana sexual assault statute of limitations explains the basics.
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:
- Approximate dates and locations where the abuse occurred
- Names of clergy members, staff, or volunteers involved
- Letters, messages, photographs, or other records you still have
- 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.
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. Our role is to provide clear information so you can make the decision that is right for you.
Speak With Wagner Reese, LLP in Indianapolis
Whether the abuse happened last year or decades ago, your experience matters. 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.
