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Meet Shaunestte
Shaunestte N. Terrell is a personal injury attorney and focuses her practice on helping survivors of sexual abuse through the civil litigation process. She is also the host of the Support For Survivors podcast that provides resources for survivors of sexual abuse and interviews a variety of guests on topics related to ending sexual abuse and providing resources and justice to survivors of sexual abuse.
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For 10 years, Shaunestte has dedicated her legal career to advocating for vulnerable people. She served as the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office and was assigned to the Special Victims Unit (SVU). In her role in the SVU, Shaunestte prosecuted perpetrators of rape, child molesting, child abuse, human trafficking, and other crimes against protected persons. As the sole deputy prosecutor assigned to the Human Trafficking/Missing Persons Unit, Shaunestte frequently participated in undercover investigations and human-trafficking busts, which she then prosecuted in Marion County Superior Court or referred to the United States Attorney’s Office.
Meet Shaunestte Terrell | Experienced Sexual Abuse Attorney in IndianaHow We Help Sexual Abuse Survivors Through the Legal Process | Indiana Sex Abuse LawyerThe Difference Between Criminal and Civil Sexual Abuse Lawsuits in IndianaWhy Choose the Cohen & Malad Attorneys for Your Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in IndianaThe Attorney Client Relationship in Cases Involving Trauma | Indiana Sex Abuse LawyerAfter leaving the prosecutor’s office, Shaunestte worked as the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Resource Prosecutor for the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council (IPAC), providing legal research and aiding in trial preparation for Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys who requested assistance in investigating and prosecuting crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Shaunestte was considered the subject matter expert in these crimes for all 91 Prosecuting Attorneys’ Offices in Indiana. In this role, Shaunestte developed state-wide, prosecutor-based preventive law programs and developed the curriculum, for basic, intermediate, and advanced trial advocacy and substantive courses related to these subject matters.
Shaunestte also helped to lead the effort in development and implementation of a statewide Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System. Additionally, she aided in legislative efforts, helping to rewrite the Human Trafficking Code, and testified in support of Nonconsensual Dissemination of Intimate Images and a comprehensive Victims’ Rights Package, both of which were signed into law.
Prior to earning her law degree, Shaunestte served as an AmeriCorps Team Member. She worked as Community Outreach Leader for the National AIDS Fund in Charlotte, North Carolina. Additionally, Shaunestte developed and implemented the education outreach program at The Jemsek Project and provided client services to those living with HIV/AIDS.
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Education and Clerkships
Education
J.D., Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, 2009
- Moot Court Society
- Civil Practice Clinic
B.A., History and Psychology, Purdue University, 2004
- Full Academic Honors Graduate
Clerkships
Law Clerk, Hon. Mark D. Stoner, Marion Superior Court, Major Felony Division
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Indiana, 2009
United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, 2009
United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, 2009
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Professional Memberships and Community Involvement
SafeMinistry Solutions, Advisory Board Member, 2021
Indiana Coalition for Crime Victim’s Rights, Board of Directors, 2020
Indianapolis Bar Association
- Indianapolis Bar Foundation Distinguished Fellow
- Board of Directors, 2018-2020
- Criminal Justice Section Executive Committee, 2013-Present
- Chairperson, 2017
- Vice Chairperson, 2016
- Secretary, 2015
- Bar Leader Series, Class XII
Indiana Child Advocacy Center Coalition, Board of Directors, 2020
Governor’s Council on Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment, 2017-2019
- Appointed by Governor Eric Holcomb
- Chairperson 2017-2019
Indiana Supreme Court’s Domestic Violence Advisory Committee, 2017-2019
- Appointed by Indiana Supreme Court
Indiana Sexual Assault Response Team Advisory Council, 2017-2019
- Chairperson, 2017-2019
Indiana Protection for Abused and Trafficking Humans Task Force, 2015-2019
Indiana Supreme Court’s Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Working Group, 2016-2017
Indiana Sexual Assault Nurse Training Project Advisory Council, 2019-Present
Drug Free Marion County, Board of Directors, 2014-2020
- Board President, 2018-2020
Hoosier Women Forward, Inaugural Class Member, 2018-2019
Agape Alliance, Board of Directors, 2018-Present
United Way, Youth As Resources, Board of Directors, 2013-2016
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Presentations and Training Seminars
“Civil Justice: The Other Side of Sexual Abuse Litigation,” Academy of Forensic Nursing webinar, September 2022
“The Role of the Forensic Nurse In Criminal and Civil Cases,” The Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting article, Fall 2021
“Indiana Sex Crimes Statutes,” Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault, 2019
“The State of Domestic Violence in Indiana,” Scott County Government, 2019
“Intersection of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence,” Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2019
“Human Trafficking for Sexual Assault Nurses,” IU Health, 2019
“Domestic Violence Report Writing for Law Enforcement Officers,” Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, 2019
“Human Trafficking for Street Officers,” Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Recruit Academy, 2019
“Evidence-Based Prosecution,” Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, 2019
“Human Trafficking in Indiana,” Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, 2019
“Evidence Bootcamp,” Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, 2019
“Domestic Violence 101,” Albion Bacon Fellows Center, 2017
“Human Trafficking: The Basics,” Indiana Trafficking Victims Assistance Program, 2018
“Development and Implementation of Sexual Assault Response Teams,” Indiana Prosecuting Attorney’s Council, 2018
“Projecting Your Best Self,” Soroptimist International, 2018
“Human Trafficking Guidelines,” Indiana Sheriffs’ Association, 2017
“Cyber Safety for Teens,” Community Event, 2017
“Cyber Safety for Parents,” Community Event, 2017
“Sexual Assault 101,” Albion Bacon Fellows Center, 2017
“Domestic Violence Policymaking,” Domestic Violence Trial Advocacy Course, 2017
“Ethics in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Cases,” Summit on Domestic Violence, 2017
“Sex Trafficking Best Practices,” Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, 2017
“Fundamentals of Domestic Violence,” Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, 2017
“Human Trafficking for Community Leaders: A Multidisciplinary Effort,” Hamilton County Government, 2016
“Courtroom Civility,” Indianapolis Bar Association, 2015
“Criminal Code Overhaul: What You Need to Know,” Indianapolis Bar Association, 2014
“Sex Crimes Statute Reform,” Indianapolis Bar Association, 2014