Lehigh County Child Sexual Abuse Survivor Rights and Legal Options

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse by clergy or another person connected to a religious organization in Lehigh County may have civil legal options. This guide focuses on local support and court resources in Allentown, the county seat. Your rights and any filing deadline depend on your age, the facts, and current Pennsylvania law.

Local survivor and child protection resources

Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley provides confidential support for sexual assault survivors, including adults who experienced childhood sexual abuse. Its 24-hour hotline is 610-437-6611. The service can discuss support and referrals; it does not determine whether a civil lawsuit is timely.

Lehigh County Office of Children & Youth Services is located at 17 South 7th Street, Allentown, PA 18101, and lists its main number as 610-782-3064. For suspected child abuse or a child currently at risk, contact Pennsylvania ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313, available 24 hours a day, or law enforcement in an emergency.

The Diocese of Allentown lists a victim assistance line, 1-800-791-9209, for pastoral support for people reporting abuse as minors by priests or deacons. A church report is separate from a report to public authorities or a civil legal consultation.

Lehigh County courthouse

The Lehigh County Courthouse is at 455 West Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101. The Clerk of Judicial Records Civil Division (Prothonotary) lists 610-782-3148. Court filing procedures and addresses can change; confirm current requirements with the court before filing.

Pennsylvania filing deadlines

42 Pa.C.S. § 5533 provides special time rules for certain civil claims involving childhood sexual abuse. The applicable rule depends on statutory requirements and the circumstances of a case. This page cannot decide whether a claim is timely or whether a specific exception applies. Ask a Pennsylvania attorney promptly about deadlines, possible claims, and who may be legally responsible.

Preparing for a confidential consultation

• Note approximate dates, locations, institutions, and names, if known.
• Preserve relevant letters, emails, photographs, and other records.
• Ask about confidentiality, time limits, potential defendants, and available support.

This information is general education, not legal advice. Contacting this firm does not create an attorney-client relationship unless both you and the firm agree to one.