Resource and vendor directory | Verified September 2026
Survivors of sexual abuse in Lackawanna County can turn to four kinds of help: confidential crisis support, agencies that take abuse reports, state programs that cover certain crime related costs and civil attorneys who can pursue compensation from abusers and the institutions that failed to stop them. This 2026 directory lists trusted resources in each category, with a focus on Scranton and Northeastern Pennsylvania.
It was prompted by the August 2026 conviction of Stephen J. Carroll, a former Scranton police officer and West Scranton High School resource officer. That case has led a lot of people in the region to ask where survivors, and the families who support them, should start.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.
What happened in the Stephen Carroll case?
On August 13, 2026, a Lackawanna County jury found Stephen J. Carroll guilty on 29 of 30 counts after a four day trial. Carroll served as a Scranton police officer and as the school resource officer at West Scranton High School, and investigators said the crimes took place between 2009 and 2017. The convictions include rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and statutory sexual assault. His bail was revoked after the verdict, and sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
Coverage from 28/22 News, the Times Leader and WNEP Newswatch 16 described days of emotional testimony from men who were students when the abuse happened. The charges followed a presentment from the 52nd Statewide Investigating Grand Jury in December 2024, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General prosecuted the case before Lackawanna County Judge Michael J. Barrasse.
Robert T. Moran, Esq., of The Moran Law Group represents survivors in the case. After the verdict, he told WNEP that through their courage the survivors “took a predator monster off the streets.” The firm has also published a confidential information page for anyone harmed by Carroll, titled Victims of Stephen Carroll.
What stands out is the timeline. The abuse ended years before charges were filed, and that’s common. Many survivors don’t come forward until adulthood, which is one reason Pennsylvania law gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse longer civil deadlines than most injury cases.
When is Stephen Carroll’s sentencing date?
As of September 21, 2026, a sentencing date for Stephen Carroll has not been publicly announced. The Office of Attorney General said after the August 13 verdict that he would be sentenced at a later date, and his bail was revoked after the verdict. Survivors in the case may have the right to submit victim impact statements before sentencing, and their attorneys or the prosecutors’ victim services staff can explain how that works.
What is statutory sexual assault in Pennsylvania?
Statutory sexual assault is one of the charges Carroll was convicted of, and it’s one of the most searched legal terms tied to the case. Under Pennsylvania law, statutory sexual assault generally means sexual intercourse with someone under 16 when the other person is four or more years older and the two aren’t married. Consent isn’t a defense, because the law treats someone that young as unable to consent.
The criminal charge and a civil claim are separate. A survivor of statutory sexual assault can pursue a civil case for compensation whether or not there’s a criminal conviction. The Moran Law Group explains the term in plain English in its guide, What is statutory sexual assault? A guide for survivors and families.
Where can survivors get confidential support right now?
- RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline, 800.656.4673. RAINN connects callers with trained staff at a local sexual assault service provider, and it also offers online chat.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988 for emotional support at any hour.
- Local sexual assault service providers. The RAINN hotline can route you to the provider that covers Lackawanna County, and these centers typically offer free counseling along with medical and legal accompaniment.
- Your own doctor or therapist. If you already have a provider you trust, they can help you find specialized trauma care.
How do you report child abuse in Pennsylvania?
If a child may be in danger now, call 911. To report suspected child abuse anywhere in Pennsylvania, call ChildLine at 800.932.0313, which the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services runs 24 hours a day.
Adults reporting abuse they experienced as children can contact local police or the Pennsylvania State Police. In the Carroll case, the Pennsylvania State Police investigated and the Office of Attorney General prosecuted.
Reporting to law enforcement and pursuing a civil claim are separate decisions. You can do one, both or neither, and a civil attorney can explain how the two affect each other.
What financial help is available to crime victims in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania’s Victims Compensation Assistance Program, run by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, can help eligible victims with certain out of pocket costs, such as counseling and medical care that insurance doesn’t cover. The Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office also provides victim and witness services for people involved in criminal cases in the county.
These programs matter, but they’re limited. They don’t hold abusers or institutions accountable in civil court, and they aren’t designed to compensate for the lifelong impact of abuse. That’s where a civil claim comes in.
When should an abuse survivor talk to a civil attorney?
Sooner than most people think. A criminal case punishes the abuser, while a civil case seeks compensation for the survivor, and it can reach further, including schools, employers, churches or government bodies whose negligence allowed the abuse to continue.
Pennsylvania generally allows survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil claims until they turn 55. Claims involving public schools or government employees can bring in additional rules, including federal civil rights claims, so early advice matters even if the abuse happened decades ago. The firm covers those rules in more depth in its guide to institutional abuse of a minor.
A first conversation should be private, free and pressure free. You shouldn’t have to decide anything on the spot.
What does a civil abuse lawsuit look like in Pennsylvania?
Most survivors have never been through a lawsuit, and not knowing what’s ahead is one of the biggest reasons people wait. The steps below are a general outline, and every case moves at its own pace.
- A confidential consultation. You share as much or as little as you’re comfortable with, and the attorney explains your options, your deadline and who could be held responsible.
- Investigation. The legal team gathers records, such as school files, personnel records, prior complaints and any criminal case materials, to show what the institution knew and when it knew it.
- Filing the complaint. The lawsuit is filed in state or federal court, depending on the claims. Many courts allow survivors to proceed using initials or a pseudonym, so it’s worth asking about privacy protections early.
- Discovery and negotiation. Both sides exchange evidence and take depositions. Many abuse cases resolve through settlement during this stage, although some go to trial.
- Resolution. A settlement or verdict can pay for counseling, medical care, lost earnings and the harm itself, and it can push institutions to change how they protect children.
In our experience covering these cases, survivors say the hardest part is the first call. After that, a good legal team carries most of the weight.
How can families support a survivor who comes forward?
When someone discloses abuse, the first reaction they get matters a great deal. Believe them, thank them for telling you and let them set the pace. Avoid pushing for details, and don’t make decisions about reporting or lawyers on their behalf unless the survivor is a child who needs protection now.
Parents often feel guilt or anger, especially when the abuser was someone the family trusted, like a teacher, coach or officer. That’s normal, and counseling for family members can help everyone move forward.
Which law firm represents survivors in the Stephen Carroll case?
The Moran Law Group (Scranton, PA)
Description: The Moran Law Group is a Scranton personal injury and civil rights firm that reports more than $250 million recovered for injury victims across Northeastern Pennsylvania, including major results in school abuse cases. Robert T. Moran represents survivors in the Stephen Carroll case.
Attorneys: Robert T. Moran focuses on civil rights cases for adults and children seriously mistreated by school districts, government entities and their employees. He’s been selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars for 2024 through 2026, is a Life Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and was named a National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 civil plaintiff attorney in 2022. Luke P. Moran practices personal injury and civil rights law and has been selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars for 2023 through 2026.
Relevant results: The firm’s published results in abuse cases include the following.
- $10 million for autistic children abused in the classroom by their special needs teacher
- $5 million for special needs children abused in the classroom by their public school teacher
- $1.6 million settlement for a group of high school boys sexually harassed and groped by their teacher
How the firm works with survivors: The firm says consultations are free and confidential and that reaching out doesn’t commit a survivor to anything.
Best suited for: Survivors of abuse by teachers, school staff, police officers or other people in positions of authority in Lackawanna County and across Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Contact: 866.676.3890 (24/7) or 570.955.4516, [email protected], 116 North Washington Ave., Suite 400, Scranton, PA 18503.
Other civil attorneys in Northeastern Pennsylvania also handle abuse claims, and survivors should feel free to speak with more than one before choosing.
Which resources should survivors in Lackawanna County contact first?
| Resource | What it helps with | How to reach it |
| Emergency services | Immediate danger | Call 911 |
| RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline | Confidential support and referrals to local providers | 800.656.4673 |
| 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline | Emotional crisis support at any hour | Call or text 988 |
| Pennsylvania ChildLine | Reporting suspected child abuse | 800.932.0313 |
| Victims Compensation Assistance Program | Help with certain crime related costs | Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency |
| Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office | Victim and witness services during a criminal case | Victim services unit, Lackawanna County DA |
| The Moran Law Group | Confidential civil claims for abuse survivors | 866.676.3890 (24/7) |
Is talking to a lawyer about abuse confidential?
Generally, yes. Conversations with an attorney about possible representation are protected even if you don’t end up hiring that firm. Hotlines and agencies each have their own privacy policies, so it’s fair to ask about them when you call. You decide how much to share and when.
Frequently asked questions about abuse survivor rights in Pennsylvania
How long do abuse survivors have to file a lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse can generally file a civil lawsuit until age 55. Deadlines for abuse that happened in adulthood are shorter and depend on the facts, so talk with an attorney about your specific situation.
Can survivors sue a school district in Pennsylvania?
In some cases, yes. Pennsylvania changed its governmental immunity law in 2019 to allow certain claims involving sexual abuse, and federal civil rights law can also apply. These cases are complicated, so work with a lawyer who has handled them before.
Do I have to report abuse to police before filing a civil case?
No. A criminal conviction can help a civil case, but it isn’t required, and civil cases use a lower standard of proof than criminal trials.
What if I was harmed by Stephen Carroll but didn’t testify?
You still have rights. The Moran Law Group keeps a confidential page and a 24/7 line for anyone harmed by Carroll, and contacting the firm doesn’t commit you to anything.
Attorney advertising disclosure
Attorney advertising. This article is general information, not legal advice, and reading it doesn’t create an attorney client relationship. Prior results don’t guarantee a similar outcome, and every case depends on its own facts. Super Lawyers Rising Stars selections are made by Super Lawyers and are listed here with the years awarded. If you’re struggling, call or text 988. Information verified September 2026.
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