August 10, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
Following overwhelming support and being passed by the Louisiana Legislative Committee in May , the Louisiana Senate unanimously voted, 32-0, to remove the statute of limitations for child sex abuse victims to pursue civil claims in court. In addition, the passage of House Bill 492, also opens a 3-year revival window, allowing survivors with older child sex abuse claims that may have previously been time-barred, to bring a claim in court, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.
Read more
Maine Diocese Challenges Law Removing Statue of Limitations
February 2, 2023 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
The Diocese of Portland is challenging the constitutionality of the new law and trying to get the lawsuits dismissed.
Read more
Bill Seeking to Remove Statute of Limitations is Gaining Momentum in Maryland
January 26, 2023 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Now, with new potential legislation aimed at eliminating the statute of limitations gaining momentum, maybe Maryland clergy sex abuse survivors can feel some hope that they may receive some justice.
Read more
Revival Window Bill Moving Through State Senate in Pennsylvania
January 25, 2023 / by Christina Feeney / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
New House Speaker Mark Rozzi recently vowed that no other legislation would be taken up until the Senate approved a constitutional amendment allowing child sex abuse victims to file claims that were previously time-barred.
Read more
Diocese of Columbus Adds Priest to Credibly Accused List
January 24, 2023 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
The Diocese of Columbus added Rev. Dean A. Mathewson to its list of priests credibly accused of child sexual abuse who have served in the diocese.
Read more
Archdiocese of Santa Fe Bankruptcy Reorganization Plan Filed with Court
December 13, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
The Archdiocese of Santa Fe has finally filed its bankruptcy reorganization plan four years after filing for Chapter 11 protection.
Read more
Maryland AG Investigation Reports Over 600 Victims of Clergy Abuse
December 8, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh’s office finally produced a report over three years after his office first announced it would begin investigating clergy sex abuse within the Maryland dioceses.
Read more
Survivors Deliver List of Over 300 Abusive Priests to Archbishop
November 3, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), as well as other survivors of clergy sexual abuse , delivered a list of 312 clergy and lay people publicly accused of sexual abuse.
Read more
Bankruptcy Judge Says ‘No’ to Paying Accused Priests
November 1, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Grabill has ordered the Archdiocese of New Orleans to stop paying retirement benefits to five priests who have been accused of sexually abusing minors.
Read more
Revival Windows Don’t Bring Justice for Every Survivor
November 1, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
Clergy sexual abuse survivor Robert Kapal is out of legal options to file a civil claim against his abuser and the organization which allowed him to be sexually abused.
Read more
Former New Bedford Priest Sued for Sexual Abuse
September 29, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse, Default Category
Former altar boy Jason Medeiros filed a lawsuit claiming that Rev. Richard Degagne sexually abused him on multiple occasions when he was 12 and 13 years old at St. Anthony of Padua parish.
Read more
Albany Abuse Survivor Encourages Transparency from Diocese
September 21, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
In a lawsuit filed against the Diocese of Albany and former priest Mark Haight, clergy sex abuse survivor Stephen Mittler was known as John Doe 1988-1989.
Read more
Maryland Clergy Abuse Survivors Frustrated with Attorney General
September 20, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Three years after Maryland’s Attorney General, Brian Frosh, announced he was beginning an investigation into Catholic Church clergy sex abuse, survivors are still waiting to see results.
Read more
Albany Diocese Seeks to Pause Litigation with Sexual Abuse Survivors
September 16, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Attorneys for more than 400 clergy sexual abuse survivors in Albany, New York, denied the diocese’s request to pause litigation in order to set up a mediation program.
Read more
Massachusetts’ High Court Says Clergy Abuse Suit Accusing Former Bishop Can Move Forward
September 16, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the highest court in the commonwealth, upheld a lower court’s ruling which will allow a clergy sexual abuse claim to move forward.
Read more
FBI Opens Investigation into Catholic Church in New Orleans
August 25, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
The FBI has opened an investigation into the Catholic Church in New Orleans regarding allegations of sexual abuse of children going back decades.
Read more
Priest Believes Church Still Needs to Apologize for Sexual Abuse Scandal
August 23, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
It’s been 20 years since the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops adopted the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People”, which called for zero tolerance for priests who sexually abuse children. Jesuit Father Jerry McGlone is concerned about the psychological effects the anniversary could have on survivors. McGlone has a keen insight into […]
Read more
First Lawsuits Filed Against Portland Diocese Since Law Change
August 16, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
In July 2021, Governor Janet Mills signed a bill into law which eliminated Maine’s statute of limitations laws for child sexual abuse. A year later, the first child sexual abuse lawsuits to take advantage of the new law were filed against the Diocese of Portland.
Read more
New Phoenix Bishop Aims for Transparency with Sex Abuse Investigations
August 16, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
John P. Dolan, the new bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, said the diocese will attempt to be transparent when it comes to investigations of clergy sex abuse.
Read more
Wisconsin Clergy Abuse Survivors Say AG Not Following Through on Promise to Investigate
July 8, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
A year ago, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said he would investigate the state’s Catholic dioceses regarding clergy sexual abuse of children. A year later, unlike the successful Pennsylvania Attorney General investigation, clergy sexual abuse survivors in Wisconsin are claiming Kaul’s office has failed them.
Read more
Archdiocese of Philadelphia has Paid Over $78 Million to Clergy Abuse Survivors
July 8, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Three and a half years ago, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia set up the Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program (IRRP). A final report released by the IRRP showed that the archdiocese paid out $78 million . . .
Read more
Ruling Allows Rochester Abuse Survivors to Sue Diocese
June 23, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
A ruling by a federal bankruptcy judge will allow clergy sexual abuse survivors to move forward with lawsuits against the Diocese of Rochester.
Read more
NY Governor Signs Adult Survivors Act into Law
June 17, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed into law the Adult Survivors Act. Similar to the state’s 2019 Child Victims Act, the law opens up a one-year revival window for adult survivors of sexual assault.
Read more
Clergy Sex Abuse Survivor Asking Ohio Lawmakers to Update Statute of Limitations Laws
June 15, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Neyer is seeking more accountability from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, as well as asking lawmakers to reform the state’s current child sex abuse statute of limitations laws.
Read more
Providence Diocese Accused of Victim Blaming in Lawsuit
June 2, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
A recently filed lawsuit by a clergy sexual abuse survivor accuses the leaders of the Rhode Island Catholic Church of “victim blaming” and ignoring multiple allegations of sexual abuse of children by clergy.
Read more
Nebraska Lawmaker’s Death May Halt Child Sex Abuse SOL Reform Bill
June 2, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
In late 2021, Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson’s office released the results of its investigation into clergy sex abuse and the Catholic dioceses in the state.
Read more
New Mexico Diocese Announces $121.5 Million Settlement
May 27, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
The Archdiocese of Santa Fe, one of the oldest dioceses in the United States, announced it had reached a settlement agreement with survivors of clergy sexual abuse in order to resolve its bankruptcy protection filing.
Read more
Diocese of Albany Adds Priest to Credibly Accused List
May 26, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
The Diocese of Albany recently added retired priest Father Gregory Weider for “reasonable cause” to its list of priests credibly accused of sexual abuse.
Read more
Investigation Finds Southern Baptist Leaders Covered Up Sex Abuse Claims
May 25, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Religious Institutions Sexual Abuse & Assault
A third-party investigation, done at the request of Southern Baptists, found that for almost twenty years, leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention were ignoring claims regarding a sexual abuse epidemic within the community.
Read more
Archdiocese of Chicago Settles Abuse Claim for $1.2 Million
May 24, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Abuse Claim Against Defrocked Priest Settled for $1.2 Million
Read more
Louisiana Opens Revival Window
May 17, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
Louisiana opened a three-year revival window which gives sexual abuse survivors with expired civil claims the ability to file them.
Read more
Over 800 Sex Abuse Lawsuits Filed in New Jersey Since Revival Window Opened
January 12, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
Since December 1, 2019, when New Jersey opened a two-year revival window for victims of sexual abuse, 820 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse against clerics, teachers, and nuns have been filed against Catholic dioceses and orders.
Read more
Sex Abuse SOL Reform Law Takes Effect Mid-October in Maine
October 19, 2021 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Maine sexual abuse survivor Robert Dupuis was only 12 years old in 1961 when Rev. John J. Curran began sexually abusing him.
Read more
Michigan Lawmakers Consider Extending Time for Child Sex Abuse Victims to Bring Lawsuits
September 30, 2021 / by Christina Feeney / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
The Michigan Legislature is considering bipartisan bills which, if passed, would give survivors of sexual abuse more time to bring their claims forward and file lawsuits against their abusers in the state of Michigan. The current law caps the civil statute of limitations for child sex abuse at age 28, which is on the lower end of the spectrum when compared to other states around the country.
Read more
Woman Sues Airbnb for 2016 Sexual Assault
September 30, 2021 / by Christina Feeney / Airbnb Sexual Assaults
In 2017, Leslie Lapayowker filed a lawsuit against Airbnb seeking to hold the company accountable for her sexual assault. The claim contends that the company was negligent in allowing her to rent a room from Carlos Del Olmo, a man who was previously accused of domestic violence.
Read more
Airbnb Will Not Enforce Arbitration Clause
September 28, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Airbnb Sexual Assaults
Airbnb recently announced it will no longer enforce the mandatory arbitration clause in its terms of service for claims of sexual assault and harassment. Previously, in order to register on the site, users had to agree to the terms of service which was over 40 pages long.
Read more
Airbnb Spends Millions to Keep Sexual Assault Allegations Out of Public Eye
September 15, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Airbnb Sexual Assaults
A recent report by Bloomberg stated the shocking news that Airbnb, the online marketplace for lodging and rentals, receives thousands of sexual assault allegations every year from both guests and hosts, but the public only becomes aware of very few of them.
Read more
Airbnb Pays Rape Victim $7 Million
September 14, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Airbnb Sexual Assaults
Airbnb paid an Australian woman, who was raped in a property rented via the site, $7 million as a settlement. The attack occurred in 2015 on New Year’s Eve in New York City. The victim and her friends picked up the keys to the property at a bodega near the apartment. It appears as though the attacker managed to make a copy of the keys at some point and hid in bathroom while the victim was out.
Read more
Boy Scouts of America Agrees to $850 Million Settlement for Child Sex Abuse Victims
August 16, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
After lawyers for sex abuse victims argued that the original offer from the Boy Scouts to settle child sex abuse claims was too low, the parties announced on July 1, 2021 that they reached an agreement.
Read more
Kentucky Governor Signs New Child Abuse Bills into Law but State Still Falls Short
August 12, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
In April of 2021, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 254 into law which enhances the penalties against predators who possess, view or distribute sexually exploitive material of a child younger than 12, making it a Class C felony and raising it to a Class B felony for subsequent offenses.
Read more
Iowa Governor Signs Bill to Remove the Criminal SOL for Child Sex Abuse Victims
August 11, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
In May, Governor Kim Reynolds of Iowa, signed Senate File 562 into law which removes the criminal statute of limitations for sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor. Previously the law required that criminal charges be filed within 15 years of the victim turning 18, or age 33.
Read more
Louisiana Legislature Passes Bill Providing Victims of Sexual Abuse Relief from Filing Deadlines
August 10, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
Following overwhelming support and being passed by the Louisiana Legislative Committee in May , the Louisiana Senate unanimously voted, 32-0, to remove the statute of limitations for child sex abuse victims to pursue civil claims in court. In addition, the passage of House Bill 492, also opens a 3-year revival window, allowing survivors with older child sex abuse claims that may have previously been time-barred, to bring a claim in court, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.
Read more
Maine Passes Child Sexual Abuse SOL Reform
July 20, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
Maine Governor Janet Mills recently signed into law a bill that will allow survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits against their perpetrators no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. While the state did eliminate the state of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims in 2000, that law was not retroactive so survivors whose claims were expired at that point could not bring them forward.
Read more
Diocese of Springfield Releases Updated Credibly Accused List
June 30, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
The Diocese of Springfield recently released an updated list of church officials and employees who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse. Bishop William Byrne said the new list is part of his commitment to “transparency and healing.” There are 61 names on the list, 21 more than the previous version.
Read more
Governor Signs Bill Eliminating Statute of Limitations for Childhood Sex Abuse Survivors
June 21, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 73 into law in April 2021 which eliminates the civil statute of limitations for sexual assault of minors and adults. One of the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, said of the new law, “Victims deserve justice whenever they choose to seek it. Outdated laws won’t be able to stop them anymore.”
Read more
Statute of Limitations Bill Stalled in PA Legislature
June 17, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
Pressure to change existing statute of limitations laws for survivors of sexual abuse began to emerge from the public after a 2018 grand jury report from the state’s Attorney General shed light on just how deep the Catholic Church’s cover-up of child sexual abuse ran in Pennsylvania. Three years later, efforts to change those laws are still getting bogged down in the state’s legislature.
Read more
Kansas Bureau of Investigation Opens over 100 Sexual Abuse Cases Against Dioceses
June 9, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Two years after launching an investigation into child sexual abuse claims against the state’s Catholic dioceses, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation has opened 120 cases and received 205 reports of clergy sexual abuse. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt requested the Bureau investigate reports of sexual abuse by clergy in the state as other Attorneys Generals have done in states around the country.
Read more
Kansas Court of Appeals Rules Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Can Move Forward
June 2, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
A ruling by the Kansas Court of Appeals holding that negligence claims against institutions are not barred by the statute of limitations will allow a sexual abuse lawsuit filed against the Archdiocese of Kansas City to move forward
Read more
Diocese of Oakland Priest Accused of Raping Boy Decades Ago
May 28, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
A recent lawsuit filed against the Diocese of Oakland accuses deceased priest Monsignor John T. McCracken of raping a young boy on multiple occasions between 1972 and 1974. It is the first time McCracken has been accused of sexual abuse of a child and his name is not on the Dioceses’ 2019 list of priests credibly accused of sexually abusing children.
Read more
Older Survivors of Sexual Abuse Will Have to Wait for Statute Changes
May 26, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
Connecticut’s current civil statute of limitations law (SOL) for childhood sexual abuse leaves older victims of abuse without an avenue to pursue justice because their claims are time-barred by the law. Unfortunately, those survivors will have to wait at least another year to see if any impactful changes will be made to those statute of limitations laws since no bill to change the SOL was introduced to the state legislature in the 2020 session.
Read more
Wisconsin AG to Investigate State’s Catholic Dioceses
May 25, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul sent a letter to the state’s five Catholic dioceses notifying them that his office will begin an investigation into sexual abuse allegations against clergy and other faith leaders. In the letter, Kaul asked the dioceses to preserve any relevant documents or information regarding sexual abuse by clergy
Read more