Church and Clergy Sexual Abuse: Reporting It and Filing a Claim
Abuse by a priest, pastor, youth minister or church volunteer raises problems other cases do not: decades-old events, institutions that kept records private, and church bodies that have gone into bankruptcy, where a missed filing deadline can end a claim. This guide explains how to report, who can be responsible, how claims work when a diocese or church is in bankruptcy, and how time limits have changed.
What happens when you reach out
- You tell us what happenedSend the short form or call. It takes about a minute, and you share only what you are comfortable with.
- A claim specialist reviews itWe look at your deadlines, the insurer or agency involved, and the records your claim will need.
- We call you backUsually the same day, to explain your options. There is no cost and no obligation.
Prefer to talk now? Call (833) 333-0905 or text 954-933-5065.
Tell us what happened, in your own time
Share only what you are comfortable with. A claim specialist reviews it privately and calls you back, usually the same day.
Legal Lawsuit is not a law firm. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
On this page
Where to report
Reporting to the church is not the same as reporting to the authorities. You can do either, both or neither, and reporting is not required to bring a civil claim.
The only route that can lead to criminal charges. Some state attorneys general have also opened statewide investigations into church abuse and take reports directly.
Report when the person involved still has access to children, even if your own abuse was long ago.
Many dioceses and denominations have a reporting office or review board. These are run by the institution itself, so keep copies of anything you send or receive.
Whether clergy must report suspected child abuse depends on the state, and some states exempt information heard in confession or similar settings. That is one reason abuse in religious settings often went unreported for years.
Who can be responsible
The abuser is always responsible. Claims against the church usually focus on what leaders knew and did, for example when they:
- received complaints and moved the abuser to another parish, school or camp
- let clergy or volunteers have unsupervised access to children without screening
- kept records of allegations private instead of reporting them
- pressured a family or survivor not to go to the police
Depending on how a faith group is organized, responsibility can rest with a local congregation, a diocese or regional body, a religious order, or a school, camp or charity it runs. Identifying the right entity matters, because each may have its own insurance and, in some cases, its own bankruptcy case.
When the church is in bankruptcy
More than two dozen U.S. Catholic dioceses had completed or were in bankruptcy proceedings by 2023, most in response to abuse claims (EWTN News / CNA). Bankruptcy changes how a claim works:
- Lawsuits pause. Pending lawsuits against the debtor are generally stopped while the bankruptcy case runs.
- A bar date is set. The court sets a deadline for survivors to file a claim. In the Archdiocese of Baltimore case, for example, survivors had to submit claims by May 31, 2024 to be included in a potential settlement (Catholic Review).
- Claims are filed on a form. Survivors usually file a confidential proof of claim describing the abuse, rather than a public lawsuit.
- A trust pays claims. Settlements often create a trust funded by the church and its insurers, which reviews each claim and pays according to a set formula.
Bankruptcy notices are published, but many survivors never see them. If you think a diocese, order or church connected to your abuse may be in bankruptcy, have the claim reviewed promptly so a bar date does not pass.
Time limits have changed
Many church abuse claims involve abuse from the 1960s to the 1990s. Several states have since removed or extended their time limits for childhood sexual abuse:
| State | What changed | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | The Child Victims Act of 2023 eliminated the time limit for civil claims based on child sexual abuse, including abuse that happened decades ago. | Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-117 |
| California | Claims for childhood sexual assault occurring on or after January 1, 2024 have no time limit; earlier abuse is governed by prior rules. | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §340.1 |
| Florida | Claims involving sexual battery of a child under 16 have no time limit unless already barred by July 1, 2010. Other child abuse claims can be filed up to 7 years after age 18, or 4 years after discovering the link between the abuse and the injury, whichever is later. | Fla. Stat. §95.11(8), (10) |
A bankruptcy bar date can be earlier than the state time limit. When both apply, the earlier deadline is the one to watch.
Steps in a claim
Write down what you remember
The church, the years, the person's name and role, other people present, and anyone you told. Approximate dates are fine.
Gather records
Baptism, confirmation or school records, photos, yearbooks, bulletins, letters and old messages can place you and the abuser at the same parish or program.
Check for public lists and investigations
Many dioceses and some attorneys general have published lists of clergy with credible allegations. A name on a list can support a claim.
Check for a bankruptcy case
Find out whether the diocese, order or church is, or has been, in bankruptcy, and whether a bar date has been set.
File the claim or lawsuit
Depending on the situation, that means a proof of claim in bankruptcy, a lawsuit in state court, or a claim to a church compensation program.
Review any offer carefully
Church settlement programs and bankruptcy trusts usually require a release of claims. Understand what you give up before signing.
Common questions
The priest or pastor has died. Can I still make a claim?
Often, yes. The claim against the church or diocese is about what it knew and did, so it does not end when the abuser dies.
Can I make a claim if I am not Catholic?
Yes. These claims arise in every kind of faith community, including Protestant churches, Jehovah's Witness congregations, Mormon, Jewish, Muslim and other groups, and in camps and schools they run.
Will my name be made public?
Bankruptcy claim forms are generally kept confidential, and courts in many states let abuse survivors file lawsuits under a pseudonym.
Does the claim review cost anything?
No. It is free and confidential, and you decide what happens next.
Not sure whether a deadline has passed?
Call (833) 333-0905 any time, or send the short form. A claim specialist can check for bankruptcy cases and the time limit in your state.
Legal Lawsuit is an information and claim-review service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Time limits and bankruptcy deadlines vary and change over time; confirm what applies to you with a licensed attorney. Legal Lawsuit and TortAdvisor are under common ownership.
