Berks County Clergy Abuse Survivor Rights and Legal Options

If you experienced sexual abuse connected to a church, clergy member, or religious organization in Berks County, you may have questions about support, reporting, and legal options. This page provides general information, not legal advice. The facts of each situation can affect available claims and deadlines.

Confidential survivor support

Safe Berks offers free, confidential crisis services for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Its 24-hour hotline is 1-844-789-SAFE (7233); you can also text SAFE BERKS to 20121. Services include counseling, legal support, safety planning, and medical advocacy.

The Berks County Victim/Witness Assistance Unit provides free case-related support, court accompaniment, case information, and referrals. Call 610-478-6000. Its office is at 633 Court Street, 5th Floor, Reading, PA 19601.

For immediate danger, call 911. To report suspected child abuse, contact Pennsylvania ChildLine at 800-932-0313 or local law enforcement.

Reporting abuse connected to a church

Berks County is within the Diocese of Allentown. The diocese lists Wendy Krisak-Kalamar as Victim Assistance Coordinator. Call her direct line at 1-800-791-9209. The diocese asks people to report incidents of abuse to ChildLine or local law enforcement; if a child is in imminent danger, call 911.

Contacting a church organization is a personal choice and does not replace reporting to civil authorities. Survivors may first speak with a confidential support provider or an attorney about options for sharing information.

Berks County civil court contact

The Berks County Prothonotary’s Office is on the second floor of the Berks County Courthouse, 633 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601. The phone number is 610-478-6970. The Prothonotary is the chief clerk for civil case filings. Contact the office to confirm filing procedures and fees; court staff cannot provide legal advice.

Pennsylvania civil filing deadlines

Pennsylvania law generally allows a person whose civil action arises from sexual abuse that occurred before age 18 to file a qualifying damages claim until age 55. A separate provision may allow a person abused between ages 18 and 24 to file certain claims until age 30. The statute’s application depends on the claim and circumstances; an attorney should assess any potential deadline promptly.

As of November 7, 2026, House Bills 462 and 464 had not become law. Their latest recorded action was June 23, 2026, when discharge motions were dropped from the Senate calendar. Proposed legislation does not itself create a new filing window.

Getting legal guidance

An attorney can review the circumstances, identify potentially responsible parties, and explain possible claims and deadlines. Sean Logue has represented hundreds of survivors of abuse connected to the Boy Scouts of America and children abused in Pennsylvania detention centers. Learn more about Pennsylvania sexual abuse legal resources.

This information is educational and is not a substitute for legal advice about your circumstances.