Lawsuits like this are often filed not only to seek justice for individual survivors, but also to bring attention to ongoing risks to public safety when information about abusers is kept secret from the community. Survivor advocates frequently argue that transparency is critical to protecting children and preventing future abuse. When institutions started to inform the public about accused individuals, people would be safer and abuse could be prevented.
Civil lawsuits are sometimes used as a tool to force institutions to release records, identify known offenders, and change policies related to abuse reporting and transparency. These legal actions can help expose patterns of concealment and encourage organizations to prioritize child safety over institutional reputation. Many survivors, like Matthew Golden, come forward not only to address past abuse, but also to help ensure that others are protected in the future through greater transparency and accountability.