News

05 Aug: Court Hearing on Boy Scouts’ Attempts to Hide Identification of Offenders in Perversion Files

(St. Paul, MN) – Lawyers representing a survivor of childhood sexual abuse by a Boy Scout leader are seeking the public release of 1,538 secret Boy Scouts files on leaders with allegations of sexual misconduct against children. Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has refused to make public the perpetrator names and documents contained in these files, known as Perversion Files.

17 Jul: Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors Reach Settlement With Diocese of Crookston

Fifteen survivors of child sexual abuse by priests in the Diocese of Crookston have settled their lawsuits against the Diocese. In addition to receiving compensation, the 15 survivors compelled the Diocese of Crookston to be more transparent through non-economic settlement provisions. As part of the settlement, the names and secret files of clergy accused of sexually abusing children in the Diocese of Crookston will be made public at a later date. In addition, depositions taken in the litigation of clergy child sex abuse cases against the Diocese will be made public.

26 Jun: Settlement Reached in the Diocese of New Ulm Bankruptcy Case

(New Ulm, MN) – A settlement has been reached in the Diocese of New Ulm bankruptcy case, which involves 93 claimants who were sexually abused as children by clergy and others in the Diocese.The Diocese and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (“Creditors Committee”), comprised of clergy sexual abuse survivors, have reached an agreement in principle toward a resolution of the bankruptcy. The settlement calls for payment of approximately $34 million to the 93 sexual abuse claimants. The Diocese previously agreed to the release of names of credibly accused priests.

02 May: California Bishops Seek to Overturn Court’s Ruling Granting Abuse Survivor’s Right to Proceed with Nuisance Case

(Los Angeles, CA) – Notices of Appeal have been filed by Defendants The California Catholic Conference, Inc., The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles, and The Roman Catholic Bishop of San Diego seeking to overturn Honorable Michelle Williams Court’s April 17, 2019 order allowing a sexual abuse survivor’s nuisance lawsuit to proceed. This attempt to stifle the courageous action brought by Tom Emens, on behalf of children and survivors of abuse across the State, to eliminate the ongoing harm and threat of childhood sexual abuse by clerics is a blatant attempt to silence survivors and keep …

01 May: Settlement Reached in Diocese of Duluth Bankruptcy Case

(Duluth, MN) – A settlement has been reached in the Diocese of Duluth bankruptcy case, which involves 125 claimants who were sexually abused as children by clergy and others in the Diocese.The Diocese and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (“Creditors Committee”), comprised of clergy sexual abuse survivors, have reached an agreement in principle toward a resolution of the bankruptcy. The settlement calls for payment of approximately $40 million to the 125 sexual abuse claimants. The Diocese will also be required to release secret files on 37 priests it has classified as credibly…