Holding Religious Institutions Accountable
For decades, religious organizations across the country concealed abuse by clergy members, transferring offenders between parishes rather than reporting them to authorities. This systemic cover-up allowed predators to harm countless children and vulnerable adults. At Babin Law, we pursue civil claims not only against individual abusers but against the dioceses, churches, and organizations that enabled the abuse through deliberate concealment and institutional negligence.
Ohio law recognizes that institutions owe a duty of care to those under their supervision, particularly children. When religious organizations breach that duty by failing to screen, supervise, or report abusive clergy, they can be held financially accountable. Our attorneys work to uncover internal records, disciplinary files, and transfer histories that expose the full scope of institutional complicity.
Holding religious institutions accountable for abuse
Understanding Your Legal Rights in Ohio
Ohio has taken meaningful steps to expand access to justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Under Ohio Revised Code § 2305.111, survivors now have until age 30 to file civil claims for childhood sexual abuse, and recent legislative reforms have opened temporary look-back windows allowing older claims to proceed. These changes recognize that many survivors need years — sometimes decades — before they are ready to come forward.
Babin Law stays at the forefront of these evolving legal protections. We help survivors understand the specific deadlines and options available to them, and we work to file claims within applicable windows. Time-sensitive opportunities under look-back provisions make it essential to consult with an attorney as soon as you are ready.
75+
Years of combined legal experience
$0
Upfront cost to you — we work on contingency
Our attorneys have the trial experience and resources to take on insurance companies and corporate defendants. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
A Compassionate Path Forward
We understand that pursuing a legal claim can feel overwhelming, especially when the trauma involves a figure of religious authority. Our team practices trauma-informed representation, meaning we meet you where you are, move at your pace, and prioritize your well-being throughout the legal process. Everything you share with us is held in strict confidence.
Survivors deserve more than compensation — they deserve to be believed and supported. We connect clients with counseling resources and support organizations, and we advocate fiercely so that the institutions responsible face real consequences. Your courage in coming forward not only seeks justice for yourself but helps protect others from future harm.
Steps to Take If You Were Abused by Clergy
If you or someone you love experienced sexual abuse by a member of the clergy, know that what happened was not your fault. Taking action can feel overwhelming, but each step moves you closer to healing and accountability.
Prioritize Your Safety and Well-Being
Remove yourself from any ongoing contact with the abuser. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Your physical and emotional safety comes first.
Seek Support from a Trusted Person
Confide in someone you trust — a family member, friend, or counselor. Breaking the silence is one of the hardest and most important steps. You do not have to carry this alone.
Connect with a Trauma-Informed Therapist
Professional counseling helps survivors process the emotional impact of clergy abuse. Organizations like SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) can connect you with specialized support resources.
Document What You Remember
Write down details about the abuse — dates, locations, names, and any witnesses — when you feel ready. Even partial memories can be valuable. Store this information in a safe, private location.
Consult an Experienced Attorney
An attorney experienced in clergy abuse cases can explain your legal options under Ohio law, including the extended statute of limitations under Ohio Revised Code § 2305.111. Babin Law offers free, confidential consultations with no obligation.
Preserve Any Evidence
Save communications, letters, emails, photographs, or any records related to the abuse or the institution's response. Do not contact the religious institution directly — let your legal team handle those interactions.
Understanding Compensation in Clergy Abuse Cases
Every clergy abuse case is unique, and compensation reflects the specific harm you experienced and the institutional failures that enabled it.
Severity and Duration of Abuse
Cases involving prolonged or repeated abuse by clergy members typically result in higher compensation. Courts recognize that sustained abuse by a trusted authority figure causes compounding psychological harm.
Institutional Cover-Up
When a diocese, church, or religious organization actively concealed the abuse — transferring offenders, destroying records, or silencing survivors — courts may award punitive damages to punish this deliberate misconduct.
Psychological and Emotional Impact
Clergy abuse often causes lasting trauma including PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and difficulty forming trusting relationships. Expert testimony from psychologists and therapists helps establish the full scope of emotional damages.
Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity
Many survivors experience disruptions to their education and career as a result of untreated trauma. Compensation can cover both past lost income and future reduced earning potential.
Medical and Therapy Costs
Survivors are entitled to compensation for past and future counseling, psychiatric care, and any medical treatment related to the abuse. Long-term therapeutic needs are carefully documented and included in the claim.
Impact on Quality of Life
Damages may reflect the loss of childhood experiences, the erosion of faith and community, and the broader effect the abuse had on your relationships, personal development, and daily life.
No amount of money can undo the harm caused by clergy sexual abuse, but financial compensation provides survivors with resources for therapy, stability, and the freedom to move forward on their own terms.
Contact Babin Law for a free, confidential case evaluation. We can help you understand what your claim may be worth and pursue the accountability you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clergy Sex Abuse
Get answers to the questions our Columbus attorneys hear most from clients in clergy sex abuse cases.
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