In a new video, HGD attorney Erik Heninger discusses a case our firm handled involving more than 20 minor boys who were abused by a youth pastor over the course of a decade. It's a difficult but important watch for any parent, church leader, or survivor trying to understand how institutional abuse takes root — and what can be done about it.
Watch the full video: What Is Institutional Abuse? Church Sexual Abuse Explained | Real Client Story
Note: this video discusses child sexual abuse. Viewer discretion is advised.
What Makes Abuse "Institutional"
Institutional abuse isn't just about one person's actions — it's about the conditions an organization allows to exist. In the case Erik describes, a youth pastor was given unsupervised, unlimited access to children: private trips, unmonitored visits to family homes, and gifts that built trust with both kids and parents. Those are common grooming patterns, and they're easier to spot in hindsight than in the moment.
Warning Signs That Get Overlooked
Some of the most telling details in this case were the small ones — the kind that individually seem explainable, but together point to a serious problem.
A rule requiring two adults to be present during any interaction with a minor that wasn't being followed. Staff or bystanders who noticed unusual behavior — a locked office door, a covered window — but didn't report it. Physical affection that lingered a little too long, dismissed as "that's just how he is with the kids."
Individually, people can talk themselves out of raising a concern. Collectively, these are the signs that oversight has broken down.
Why These Cases Are So Difficult
Survivors of institutional abuse often carry more than the abuse itself — they carry the burden of having trusted someone they were told to trust, and of institutions that, even unintentionally, looked the other way. As Erik discusses in the video, pursuing accountability means survivors have to revisit painful details, often while facing questions about why they didn't come forward sooner.
That's why this kind of case requires a legal team that understands both the legal complexity of institutional liability and the emotional weight these cases carry for survivors and their families.
If This Raises Questions for You or Your Family
If you or someone you know has experienced abuse within a church, school, youth organization, or workplace, you don't have to sort through it alone. Watch the full video to hear Erik's perspective directly, and reach out to our firm if you'd like to talk through your situation confidentially.
If you or someone you know needs immediate support, the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-656-4673.
