Indiana Sexual Abuse Lawyer
You deserve to be believed and to be heard. Connect privately with an Indiana attorney who represents survivors of sexual abuse across the state — at your pace, on your terms.
Your local attorneyJeff Gibson, Esq.
Pursuing justice in Indiana
You can hold an abuser — and the institution that enabled them — accountable in Indiana
If you were sexually abused in Indiana, you may be able to bring a civil claim for the harm you suffered, whether the abuse happened in a school, a church, a sports program, a residential facility, a doctor's office, or a home. A civil case is separate from any criminal case. It is about your recovery, your accountability, and your right to answers — and it can move forward even if no one was ever criminally charged.
Indiana survivors often carry the weight of abuse for years before they are ready to speak. That is normal, and it does not make what happened any less real or any less actionable. When you are ready, an Indiana attorney can explain your options quietly and clearly, review your filing deadlines, and tell you honestly where you stand — with no pressure to do anything before you decide it is right for you.
Time limits do apply, and they vary by state. Many states have recently expanded or reopened the window to file. A free, confidential call simply tells you where you stand — no pressure, no obligation.
Your local attorney
Jeff S. Gibson, Esq.
Wagner Reese, LLP
- 11939 North Meridian Street, Suite 100, Carmel, IN 46032
- Admitted: Indiana, 2000
- Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law (J.D., 2000); Indiana University (B.A., 1997)
Jeff S. Gibson is an Indiana trial attorney who represents survivors of sexual abuse and assault. Admitted to the Indiana bar in 2000, he has spent more than two decades in courtrooms across the state and in federal courts throughout the Midwest, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
His abuse practice includes survivors of clergy abuse, abuse by athletic and Olympic-level programs, and abuse of patients in residential treatment facilities. He is a member of the National Crime Victim Bar Association, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice, and he has been recognized as an Indiana Super Lawyer every year since 2014. As the designated Indiana Abuse Guardian, Jeff handles each survivor's case with discretion, patience, and respect.
Handles: Child sexual abuse, Clergy abuse, Sexual assault, Sex trafficking, Abuse in residential treatment facilities, Athlete and youth-sports abuse
Why survivors trust us
Real attorneys. Proven results. Quiet strength.
Indiana statute of limitations
How long do you have to file a sexual abuse claim in Indiana?
Indiana sets time limits, called statutes of limitations, on civil claims — but those deadlines work differently for sexual abuse than for an ordinary injury, especially when the survivor was a child. The only way to know your real deadline is to have an Indiana attorney review the specific facts. Here is the general framework:
- Civil claims have a filing window. Indiana's general civil deadline for personal injury is short, so it is important to ask about your specific timeline early rather than assume it has passed.
- Childhood abuse is treated differently. Indiana law recognizes that survivors of child sexual abuse may not connect their injuries to the abuse until much later. Courts apply a discovery-based approach in these cases, which can affect when the clock starts.
- Criminal and civil deadlines are not the same. The time limits for the state to file criminal charges are separate from your right to bring a civil claim. One can be available even when the other is not.
- Claims against institutions may involve extra steps. Suing a public school, university, or government entity can carry additional notice requirements and shorter windows, so those cases should be reviewed promptly.
- Indiana has not adopted a broad revival window. Unlike some states that have opened temporary look-back periods for old claims, Indiana has not enacted a wide revival law — which makes acting within your available window important.
Because these rules turn on small details — your age at the time, when you understood the harm, and who is responsible — never assume you are too late without a confidential review. This is general information, not legal advice; deadlines depend on the facts of each case.
Cases handled in Indiana
The Indiana abuse cases we help survivors pursue
If your situation isn't listed here, it does not mean you don't have a case. Reach out and ask.
Clergy & religious institution abuse
Abuse connected to churches, dioceses, youth ministries, and faith-based programs, including cases where leaders failed to act.
School & youth-program abuse
Abuse by teachers, coaches, staff, or volunteers in Indiana schools, universities, daycares, and after-school programs.
Facility & treatment abuse
Abuse of patients and residents in hospitals, residential treatment centers, group homes, and care facilities.
Sports & trafficking cases
Abuse within athletic and Olympic-level programs, along with sexual assault and sex-trafficking survivor claims.
Simple & safe
How it works
Reach out privately
Call or fill out a short, confidential form. Tell us only what you’re comfortable sharing.
We listen & match you
We connect you with an attorney licensed in your state who handles your type of case.
You decide what’s next
Your free consultation is no-obligation. If you move forward, there’s no fee unless you win.
Indiana questions
Common questions from Indiana survivors
Can I still file a sexual abuse claim in Indiana if the abuse happened years ago?
Possibly yes. Indiana treats childhood sexual abuse claims with a discovery-based approach, and civil deadlines differ from criminal ones, so older cases are sometimes still actionable. The only way to know is a confidential review of your specific facts with an Indiana attorney — please don't assume you're too late.
Can I sue a church, school, or institution in Indiana — not just the abuser?
Often, yes. If an Indiana organization hired, supervised, or enabled an abuser and ignored warning signs, it may share legal responsibility. Claims against public schools or government entities can involve added notice rules and tighter timelines, so it helps to have those cases reviewed promptly.
Do I have to report to the police first to bring a civil case?
No. A civil claim is independent of the criminal system. You can pursue accountability and compensation in civil court whether or not the abuse was ever reported and whether or not anyone was charged or convicted.
What does it cost to talk to an Indiana sexual abuse lawyer?
The first conversation is free and confidential. Survivor cases are typically handled on a contingency basis, which means you pay no attorney fee unless your case results in a recovery. You can ask exactly how fees work before you decide anything.
Will my case be kept private in Indiana?
Your initial contact goes privately to the Indiana intake team. Survivors' privacy is protected throughout, and many cases are resolved through confidential settlements. Your attorney will explain what is public, what is not, and the steps used to safeguard your identity.
Will I have to testify or go to court?
Many Indiana cases resolve through settlement without a trial. If your case does proceed, your attorney prepares you fully and supports you at every step. Your comfort and safety guide the pace, and you are never pushed into anything you are not ready for.
What compensation can an Indiana civil claim provide?
A civil claim can seek recovery for therapy and medical care, lost income and earning capacity, and the emotional harm you have carried. Beyond money, it can compel accountability and answers. Your attorney will explain what is realistic for your situation.
How do I start, and am I obligated to move forward?
You start by reaching out for a free, confidential conversation — nothing more. There is no obligation to file. You can ask questions, learn your options and deadlines, and decide in your own time whether pursuing a claim is right for you.
Free & confidential
Talk to an Indiana sexual abuse lawyer
Your message goes privately to our Indiana intake team. There is no cost and no obligation — just a confidential conversation when you are ready.
- 100% confidential — your privacy is protected
- No fee unless we win your case
- You stay in control of every step
Prefer to talk now? (877) 421-9608
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