Westmoreland County Clergy Abuse Survivor Rights and Legal Options

This guide summarizes local support, reporting options, court contacts, and general Pennsylvania filing rules for survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Westmoreland County. Each survivor’s circumstances are different. A confidential consultation with an attorney can help evaluate possible claims and deadlines; this page is general information, not legal advice.

Confidential survivor support

The Blackburn Center serves survivors of sexual and domestic violence and other crimes in Westmoreland County. Its 24-hour hotline is 1-888-832-2272 (724-836-1122 locally). The center offers confidential crisis support, advocacy, and referrals. Its advocates can help explain options; contacting a crisis center does not require you to report to police or file a lawsuit.

Reporting church-related abuse

Westmoreland County is within the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. The diocese’s Victim Assistance Coordinator can be reached at 412-456-3093, extension 3712, or toll-free at 1-888-808-1235. The toll-free number is also listed for reporting church-related abuse. Survivors can also report to law enforcement or contact an attorney of their choosing. To report suspected child abuse, call Pennsylvania ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313, available 24/7. Call 911 if a child is in immediate danger.

Westmoreland County court contact

The Westmoreland County Prothonotary is the civil clerk of the Court of Common Pleas. The office is at 2 North Main Street, Suite 501, Greensburg, PA 15601. Call 724-830-3502 to confirm filing procedures, fees, and document requirements. The Prothonotary handles civil and family court records and filings. The courthouse complex is in downtown Greensburg, the county seat.

Pennsylvania civil filing deadlines

Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5533(b)(2), certain civil damages actions arising from sexual abuse that occurred when the survivor was under 18 may be brought within 37 years after turning 18, generally through age 55. The statute also covers specified sexual activity involving a person age 23 or younger and an adult when the legal coercion requirements are met; the deadline for those claims generally extends to age 30. Definitions and exceptions apply, and the deadlines vary with the claim and facts.

Many personal injury claims are subject to a two-year limitation under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524. Claims involving government entities can carry additional requirements, including written notice under § 5522, subject to exceptions. Do not rely on a general overview to decide if a deadline has passed. Get an individualized review promptly, because different claims can have different time limits.

Legislative status

As of November 7, 2026, Pennsylvania House Bills 462 and 464, which proposed changes related to civil claims for childhood sexual abuse, have not become law. The General Assembly lists both bills in the Senate, with the latest action shown as June 23, 2026. They do not create an open lookback window. Survivors should check current law and obtain advice about their specific circumstances.

Sean Logue has represented hundreds of survivors of abuse connected to the Boy Scouts of America and children abused in Pennsylvania detention centers. For statewide information, read our Pennsylvania sexual abuse survivor rights and filing deadlines guide.