Effective July 1, 2023, Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law P.C. acquired the Law Offices of Grieco & Petty, LLC.
Institutional Sexual Abuse

Institutional Sexual Abuse in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Sexual Abuse Injury Lawyers Fighting on Behalf of Victims

Sexual abuse is utterly devastating and life-changing for victims. Survivors will carry emotional and sometimes physical scars for the rest of their lives. And when the abuser could have—and should have—been stopped by the institution he or she represents, victims can have an even more difficult time healing and moving forward with their lives.

At Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC, we fight for the injured and the wronged. Since 2000, we have aggressively gone after sexual predators and the organizations that allowed this abuse to occur. We stand up for victims’ rights and work tirelessly to make sure that all responsible parties are held liable in a court of law. With our Pennsylvania sexual abuse injury lawyers by your side, you can rest assured that a powerful legal team is there to serve as your voice. We work to ensure that these actions do not happen again to others in the future while also seeking the justice you deserve.

If you or someone you love was the victim of institutional sexual abuse, contact Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC online or by phone at (877) 989-4878 for a free and private consultation.

What Is Institutional Sexual Abuse?

In Pennsylvania, the law recognizes different degrees of sexual assault depending on the nature of the sexual contact, the identities of the victim and alleged abuser, and other circumstances. Institutional sexual abuse applies to cases between two individuals who have an established relationship where the perpetrator has legal access to his or her victim, such as a doctor with a patient or a teacher with a student. The victim may even have developed some affection for the abuser, especially in the case of a child. Using this relationship to his or her advantage, the perpetrator will then prey on the vulnerability of the victim.

Sexual abuse is all about power, and many institutional sexual abusers are in a position of authority over their victims. This gives them ample opportunity to abuse their power and take advantage of the situation.

Institutional sexual assault is a third-degree felony in Pennsylvania with a punishment of up to seven years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines. In addition to criminal penalties, the abuser can face civil action in which the victim seeks retribution and compensation for the harm they have endured as a result of the abuse.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for Institutional Sexual Abuse?

When an act as heinous as sexual assault happens against a child, the perpetrator can not only be held responsible in criminal court but in civil court as well. But what many don’t realize is that if another party or organization had the power to prevent the abuse from occurring, that party may also be held accountable.

This includes but is not limited to:

When these institutions employ abusers, they can be held liable for the damages caused by the abuse. Such institutions are responsible for preventing abuse and investigating claims of abuse. Failure to do so is considered negligence.

Criminal vs. Civil Standards in Sexual Abuse Cases

It’s important to note that even if the criminal court fails to prosecute your abuser, that individual can still be held liable for your injuries in a civil suit. The standards between a civil and criminal case are very different. In a criminal matter, there needs to be enough evidence to prove that the crime was committed “beyond a reasonable doubt.” This means there must be a large amount of concrete evidence to show that the crimes were committed by the alleged abuser. This can be difficult to prove, especially if the crime had occurred years or even decades ago.

For a civil case, however, absolute certainty is not needed. All you need is a “preponderance of the evidence,” i.e. more than 50 percent of your evidence is accurate. So if a witness has a hazy memory of the events that occurred but you have photographs of the crime, you still are able to show fault.

But, as with any legal case, you need an aggressive, experienced sexual assault injury attorney by your side to fight for your rights.

How We Can Help

At Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC, our Pennsylvania institutional sexual abuse lawyers have been fighting for the rights of minors and adults for decades. We are committed to those who were victimized by not only a sexual predator but by those who could have stopped the abuse from happening in the first place.

We understand how difficult it is to discuss this topic. But it is not your fault. You deserve justice and compensation for the suffering you have endured. We strive to make sure your voice is not silenced. We will fight to make sure that no one will suffer this abuse from this institution again. We will fight for you and give you a voice inside the courtroom.

Contact one of our offices in Philadelphia, Scranton, or Wilkes-Barre now for a free consultation. Call (877) 989-4878 to get started.

  • $795 Thousand Car Accident

    confidential settlement in a crash.

  • $1.3 Million Car Accident

    A settlement was obtained in this uninsured motorist case on behalf of a 21-year-old man who was ejected from an SUV and subsequently died. The driver of the SUV had been cut off by another vehicle. The settlement was obtained from Mr. Sperlazzo’s uninsured motorist carrier.

  • $1.1 Million Car Accident

    The verdict was obtained for Mr. Smith against the defendant who was high on heroin at the time of the crash. This verdict was the Number #1 Motor Vehicle Collision verdict in Luzerne County in 2012.

  • $900 Thousand Car Accident

    Our client was struck by a vehicle that was racing.

  • $750 Thousand Car Accident

    Our client sustained a significant injury, including, post-traumatic stress disorder.

  • $275 Thousand Car Accident

    The settlement was on an insurance policy of $15,000. The settlement was both for compensatory and bad faith damages.

    “I highly recommend Attorney Molly & the firm to anyone seeking reliable & compassionate assistance during challenging times.”

    I have a friend who sought help from Fellerman & Ciarimboli and said they were very nice and helpful. So when I needed assistance, they were the first ones I thought of, and gave them a call. I was connected to Attorney Molly Clark, who made a significant impact. Her comforting personality created a welcoming environment during our interactions, turning what could have been a somber experience into one filled with positivity. Our upbeat conversations, in contrast to the challenging situation, improved my well-being.

    What truly won me over was Molly's commitment to keeping me informed about the progress of my situation. Whenever I called her with questions, she promptly provided answers, ensuring I had the information I needed when I needed it. Working with Fellerman & Ciarimboli was a positive experience given the circumstances I was facing. I highly recommend Attorney Molly and the firm to anyone seeking reliable and compassionate assistance during challenging times.

    - Frank K.
    “You are like family to us & will always love you!”
    Molly thank you for everything you’ve done for Terry and me. You went above and beyond. You are like family to us and will always love you!
    - Arlene P.
    “I can't express how GREAT my first experience with an attorney has been!”
    I can't express how GREAT my first experience with an attorney has been! I'm not kidding when I say that both you and the entire firm are I think the best around. Once get things settled around here, I would like to make an appointment to come up to talk about some other issues, but I have been doing nothing, but singing the praises of you The entire organization to everyone that I speak with.
    - R.R.
    “The compassion shown to us by not only the three of you, but everyone to whom we encountered at Fellerman & Ciarimboli was off the charts and so sincere.”

    There are no adequate words to convey to you, Mike, and Ed how grateful our family is for all of your hard work in helping us through the most difficult time of our lives. Your commitment to justice is unlike anything we have ever witnessed. Our tragedy became your tragedy. The three of you have become part of our family.

    Harry, you explained everything necessary in terms which were comprehensible and helpful to us to better understand all that was presented. We are so grateful for that.

    The compassion shown to us by not only the three of you, but everyone to whom we encountered at Fellerman & Ciarimboli was off the charts and so sincere.

    We will grieve our profound loss for the rest of our lives, but all of you helped to make it a bit easier, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

    God's Blessings to you and your family.

    - Client
    “Happy that I chose you to take my case. Your team is amazing, too!”
    Molly, Thank you so much! I can't tell you how much you mean to me, throughout this process, you have always been there and helped me through. I am glad it all came to a good ending and that it is over. But, I will miss you and you will always be referred to anyone that ever asks me for an amazing lawyer! Keep fighting for the people who need you! You are amazing at what you do, you're professional and genuine! I wish you all the best in your career and am happy that I chose you to take my case. Your team is amazing, too!
    - Nicole W.
    “I was in a bad accident and I had my daughter in the car with me. I highly recommend this firm.”
    I was in a bad accident and I had my daughter in the car with me. I highly recommend this firm. My attorney Myer Messinger was very compassionate and offered empathy with helping me and my daughter with the mental agony we experienced after the accident. Mr Messinger is very professional and knowledgeable. We sat for hours for the mediation and he fought to get me the best settlement
    - Enide Jerome
    “Very Informative & Helpful”
    “Corey Suda was our attorney as well as Ed Ciarimboli and they were both great, very informative, helpful, stayed in contact with us throughout our case. Very happy with the outcome of the case!!”
    - Debbie C.
    “Highly Recommend!”
    Called Greg Fellerman for a legal issue. He immediately took my call and helped me resolve the issue. Big thanks!
    - Brandon Z.

Contact Us Today

At Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law, PC, we're always ready to take your calls! Give us a call or fill out the form below to contact one of our team members.

  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.
  • By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your request & other information using automated technology. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Acceptable Use Policy
  • Our Clients Time is Valuable
    Every case is unique and we spend the time working hard on your case, so you can focus on everything else.
  • Experienced Trial Attorneys
    For 20 years our attorney's haven fought hard for clients and will not back away from a trial.
  • Ready and Available to Help You
    Schedule a free initial consultation with our team.
  • Our Results Make a Difference
    We've recovered hundreds of millions for our clients.