Child Sexual Abuse Attorneys In Indiana, Ohio, & Michigan
Sexual Abuse Cases and Claims: We Believe Survivors. We Pursue Justice Relentlessly.
Sexual abuse is one of the most devastating violations a person can endure. When it happens to a child or vulnerable adult—especially at the hands of someone in a position of trust—the impact can last a lifetime. At Connell Michael, LLP, we stand with survivors of sexual abuse and assault. Whether the abuse occurred in a school, religious institution, youth organization, healthcare facility, or private setting, our mission is clear: to help you reclaim power, expose the truth, and hold every responsible party accountable under the law.
We understand that coming forward can feel overwhelming. You may be filled with fear, shame, grief, or even self-doubt. But please hear this: what happened to you was not your fault, and you are not alone. You have rights. You have strength. And we are here to help.
What Is Considered Sexual Abuse?
Sexual abuse can take many forms, and it does not always involve physical violence. In fact, most abuse is about manipulation, grooming, coercion, and exploitation. Legally, sexual abuse includes:
- Sexual contact or penetration without consent
- Abuse of a child, teen, or person unable to give legal consent
- Inappropriate touching or exposure
- Sexual conversations, requests, or messaging involving minors
- Sexual abuse by someone in a position of trust or authority (teacher, coach, priest, doctor, employer, etc.)
- Online exploitation, including sextortion and digital harassment
- Sex trafficking or forced sexual activity in exchange for housing, drugs, or other services
Whether the abuse happened one time or over the course of years, whether the perpetrator was prosecuted or not, you may have a valid civil claim—and a right to seek justice and compensation.
Institutions Can—and Should—Be Held Liable
Many sexual abuse cases don’t happen in isolation. They occur in environments where predators are protected, warning signs are ignored, and victims are silenced. These institutions must be held accountable when they allow abuse to occur under their watch. We have successfully pursued claims against:
- Schools, school districts, and after-school programs
- Churches, dioceses, and faith-based organizations
- Youth sports leagues, gyms, and athletic clubs
- Summer camps and residential programs
- Daycares, foster care providers, and group homes
- Hospitals, mental health providers, and addiction recovery centers
- Employers or supervisors who enabled workplace assault
These cases often involve institutional negligence: hiring dangerous individuals, failing to report abuse, ignoring complaints, or actively covering up misconduct. We dig deep to uncover the facts and expose those who allowed harm to continue unchecked.
Why Choose Connell Michael, LLP?
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Compassionate RepresentationWith compassion and understanding, our team supports you each step of your case.
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Decades of ExperienceWork with knowledgeable & dedicated attorneys backed by years of experience.
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We Prepare All Cases for TrialWe prepare each and every case as if it's headed for trial.
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Start With An Initial ConsultMeet with your lawyer during a virtual or in-office consultation!
Hear From Our Happy Clients
At Connell Michael, LLP, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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"I am forever grateful."Catherine and her legal assistants were so attentive. I was an overwhelmed, defeated mom, desperate to get her child the help he needed.- M.S.
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"Very responsive and knowledgeable."Catherine is an awesome lawyer. Very responsive and understands the needs of my child and I. I’m thankful to have her as my attorney- J.P.
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"Connell Michael is an amazing team."I honestly don’t know where we would be without the amazing help from the team at CM. They left no call unanswered and no stone unturned.- M.T.
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"I highly recommend them!"Catherine Michael is AMAZING! She represented us with our daughter's case when she needed long term care and our school corporation could not meet our daughter's educational needs.- K.C.
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"We are so thankful."I cannot thank Catherine Michael enough. I knew from my first phone call that she was a fighter. She fought for my son and got him the services he needed.- R.C.
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"I won't hesitate to use any of their attorneys."As the parent of a special education child, I had a wonderful experience with this firm. Their attorneys and paralegals are all extremely knowledgeable and helpful.- C.M.
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"They were dedicated to fighting for my son."They were thorough in looking into his case and helped us get the education he needed to continue to thrive and make progress.- S.C.
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"We can't thank them enough!"The rapport and guidance were outstanding at all times. We can't thank CM enough for caring and working closely to get the best outcome possible.- R.S.
