clergy sexual abuse Archives -

Child Sexual Abuse Claims at Mount St. Joseph High School

Posted on March 25, 2025 by Loni Liss

Child sexual abuse is an unimaginable violation of trust that leaves lasting scars on survivors and their families.

In recent years, we’ve seen a growing number of allegations emerge, shedding light on the systemic failures that have allowed such abuse to persist in institutions meant to nurture and protect children.

One such troubling case involves allegations against Xaverian Brother Robert Flaherty, a former teacher at Mount St. Joseph High School in Baltimore, Maryland.

The case highlights the importance of accountability, survivor advocacy, and institutional reform in addressing the devastating impact of child sexual abuse.

Brother Robert Flaherty Case Highlights Need for Oversight

Brother Robert Flaherty, a member of the Xaverian Brothers religious order, has been accused of sexually abusing a minor in the mid-1980s.

The allegation, which was revealed in August 2024, has led to his removal from ministry pending an investigation by the Baltimore City police and the State’s Attorney’s Office.

While the allegation does not involve a current or former student of Mount St. Joseph High School, the case raises critical questions about the culture of silence and lack of oversight in institutions where such abuse has occurred.

Coming forward is an act of immense courage for survivors, and their voices must be met with unwavering support and action.

If you are a survivor of child sexual abuse at Mount St. Joseph High School in Baltimore, Maryland, contact The Yost Legal Group. Call our Maryland sex abuse lawyers at 1-800-967-8529 for a free and confidential consultation. A compassionate sexual abuse lawyer will listen to what happened and offer the help you need.

List of Priests and Brothers Accused of Child Sexual Assault

Abuse of a Minor Allegations and Institutional Response

Brother Robert Flaherty joined the Xaverian Brothers in 1979 and began teaching at Mount St. Joseph High School in 1980.

Over the years, he held teaching positions at several other schools across the country, including St. Xavier High School in Kentucky and St. John’s Preparatory School in Massachusetts.

Despite his long tenure in education, no prior allegations of abuse had been reported against him until 2024.

The Xaverian Brothers, in coordination with the State’s Attorney’s Office, have implemented protocols for handling allegations of abuse, including removing Brother Flaherty from ministry while the investigation is ongoing.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore has also reviewed its records and found no prior allegations against Brother Flaherty. However, as Sean Caine, the archdiocese’s communications director, pointed out, high-profile cases often encourage other survivors to come forward.

This case serves as a stark reminder that abuse is often hidden for decades, with survivors silenced by fear, shame, or institutional cover-ups.

The Yost Legal Group is urging anyone who was abused at Mount St. Joseph High School to come forward. If the abuse involves a church representative, a teacher, a guidance counselor, or an athletic coach, a sexual assault lawyer will fight to seek justice.

The Impact on Child Molestation Survivors and the Community

Child sexual abuse has profound and far-reaching consequences for survivors. Many experience long-term psychological, emotional, and physical effects, including:

– Depression

– Anxiety

– post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

– difficulty forming trusting relationships.

The trauma is often compounded by the betrayal of trust, particularly when the abuser is a respected figure within the community, such as a teacher, coach, or religious leader.

The allegations against Brother Flaherty have undoubtedly sparked feelings of shock, anger, and betrayal in the Mount St. Joseph High School community.

He was a teacher and an athletic coach credited with reviving the school’s ice hockey program. Such cases force communities to grapple with the painful reality that individuals they once admired have caused irreparable harm to others.

There are more likely many other sexual assault survivors out there suffering from the trauma of childhood sexual abuse.

Let a caring lawyer who works with molestation claims help fight for you. Your voice deserves to be heard. This was not your fault. We believe you.

Encouraging Survivors to Come Forward

One of the most critical steps in addressing child sexual abuse is creating an environment where survivors feel safe and supported in coming forward. The courage it takes to report abuse cannot be overstated, as survivors often face significant emotional and social barriers.

Institutions like the Xaverian Brothers and the Archdiocese of Baltimore must prioritize transparency, accountability, and survivor advocacy to ensure that all allegations are thoroughly investigated and addressed.

We encourage other survivors to break their silence.

When you work with The Yost Legal Group, we help survivors access counseling, legal support, and other resources to navigate the healing process.

How Institutions Can Break the Cycle of Silence on Abuse

The case of Brother Robert Flaherty underscores the urgent need for institutional reform to prevent future instances of abuse. This includes:

– implementing comprehensive background checks

– establishing clear reporting protocols

– providing ongoing training for staff and volunteers on recognizing and responding to signs of abuse.

Sadly, many institutions have not provided transparency and accountability. They have not ensured that allegations are handled seriously and that survivors receive the support they need.

The Xaverian Brothers and Mount St. Joseph High School must examine past practices and identify areas for improvement. While Brother Flaherty’s removal from ministry is a necessary step, it is only the beginning.

The institution must rebuild community trust by committing to protect children and holding wrongdoers accountable.

Seeking Justice Through Legal Action

Survivors of child sexual abuse often face significant barriers to seeking justice, including statutes of limitations that prevent them from filing lawsuits after a certain period.

However, recent legal reforms, such as Maryland’s Child Victims Act of 2023, have extended or eliminated these limitations.

Survivors can now come forward and hold their abusers accountable no matter how long ago the abuse happened. This legislative progress is critical in empowering survivors and ensuring that justice will be served.

Filing a Maryland sex abuse lawsuit against an abuser or the institution that enabled the abuse can be an important part of the healing process for survivors.

It allows sexual abuse survivors to reclaim their voices, seek accountability, and secure financial compensation for the harm they have endured.

Legal action also sends a powerful message that abuse will not be tolerated and that institutions must take their responsibility to protect children seriously.

The Role of Legal Advocates at The Yost Legal Group

For abuse survivors considering legal action, working with an experienced legal team can make all the difference. Firms like The Yost Legal Group handle cases of child sexual abuse and are dedicated to providing compassionate support and guidance throughout the legal process.

They understand the unique challenges survivors face and are committed to holding abusers and institutions accountable.

At The Yost Legal Group, survivors can expect a client-focused approach that prioritizes their well-being and seeks justice on their behalf.

The firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning survivors pay nothing upfront and only owe legal fees if their case is successfully resolved.

This ensures that financial barriers do not prevent survivors from seeking the justice they deserve.

Rising Above Silence: Addressing Abuse in Institutions

The allegations against Brother Robert Flaherty at Mount St. Joseph High School are a painful reminder of the pervasive issue of child sexual abuse and the urgent need for action.

While no amount of legal action or institutional reform can undo the harm caused, it is possible to create a future where children are better protected, survivors are supported, and abusers are held accountable.

For survivors, coming forward is an act of courage that can inspire others to do the same. The emotional distress you have been carrying around as a victim of sexual abuse needs to heal.

By sharing their stories, they play a vital role in breaking the cycle of abuse and driving meaningful change.

Call 1-800-967-8529 to see if we can help you. Seek the justice and the financial compensation you deserve. File your Baltimore sex abuse claim if you are a victim of sexual assault in an institution.

As a society, we must stand with survivors, listen to their voices, and work together to create a safer, more just world for all children.

Church Sexual Abuse – Clergy Sexual Abuse – Doctor Sexual Assault

Child Molestation – Child Sexual Abuse Cases – Sexual Assault at School

Baltimore Catholic High School Sexual Abuse Claims

Posted on June 25, 2023July 14, 2024 by YostLaw

for Sexual Abuse Survivors at Catholic High School in Baltimore

CNN recently ran a story about four real-life survivor’s accounts of rampant sexual abuse against young girls in Baltimore. Four survivors shared their stories more than 50 years after priests brutally, physically, and sexually assaulted them.

It happened repeatedly at an all-girls Catholic high school in Baltimore. Sexual abuse is a heinous crime that leaves lasting scars on survivors.

Such was the case with the abuses that happened for decades at Archbishop Keough High School in Baltimore, Maryland. Four survivors courageously shared their stories of physical and sexual assaults that they endured at the hands of priests.

Their accounts are harrowing and shed light on the rampant abuse that went on in the Catholic church unchecked for decades.

Uncovering the Truth of Archbishop Keough High School

Father Joseph Maskell, the school’s chaplain, was the ringmaster of the abuse at Archbishop Keough High School. In addition to Maskell, other priests, and a counselor were also involved in statutory rape and other atrocities.

They would lure the young girls into the school’s chapel, where they would physically molest and sexually assault them. They also used hot wax and bestiality, forcing the girls to participate in Satanic rituals.

The sex crimes and sexual offenses were not limited to the school. The child molestation also occurred at Maskell’s vacation home in Maryland and a church in another state. None of these young girls were at the age of consent.

Sexual assault by church leaders has left long-term emotional trauma and PTSD for hundreds of women.

A number of brave survivors who spoke to CNN gave graphic details of their abuse at the hands of these priests. One survivor said that Maskell told her he was exorcising demons from her, but instead, he was abusing her.

The girls subjected to this abuse had no one to turn to. Their parents and teachers never listened when they tried to tell them what was happening. They were often threatened with dire consequences if they dared to speak up.

Only years later, these survivors found the courage to come forward and share their stories. Sadly, by then, many of the abusers had died, and it was almost impossible to prosecute those still alive.

One of the most shocking aspects of the abuse at Archbishop Keough High School is how the Catholic Church enabled it. The church authorities knew of the abuse but covered it up for years. They would transfer the abusive priests to other dioceses instead of taking action against them.

The Child Victims Act – How the Recent Baltimore Law Affects You

A recent report by the Baltimore Attorney General’s office documents more than 600 accounts of sexual abuse against children. The abuses happened while under the care of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

The survivors who have come forward with their stories of abuse at Archbishop Keough High School are brave. They shine a light on the dark history of the Catholic Church.

Their bravery in speaking up is commendable. We owe it to them to demand accountability from the church. No institution is above the law.

Take a Stand and Seek Justice with The Yost Legal Group

The recent passing of the Child Victims Act in Baltimore is a significant win for abuse survivors. This act allows survivors to seek justice for crimes committed against them even after decades have passed.

Many survivors of church abuse in Baltimore have lived in silence and pain for years, unable to pursue legal action. This landmark law allows individuals to seek redress and hold abusers accountable for their actions.

If you were sexually abused by the church or religious school in Baltimore, call our sexual assault lawyers. The new Child Victims Act is an opportunity to reclaim your power and seek justice for the wrongs committed against you.

Our sexual abuse lawyers know that taking legal action may be challenging. It’s worth considering what justice might look like and how it could improve your life.

Together, our child abuse attorneys can bring healing and justice to survivors of child sexual abuse.

How the Child Victims Act works and what you must do to access justice.

Now, sexual abuse claims against churches and other institutions can be filed for years, even decades, after the abuse occurred. By exposing these crimes, you can help prevent future abuses.

If you, a friend, or a family member were sexually assaulted between 1973 to 2023 by clergy, a teacher, or a guidance counselor, contact us for help.

The Yost Legal Group can help protect you and go after the system that allowed the abuse.

We’ll fight for you, and we’ll stand up for you. We want to make sure you get the justice you deserve, as well as financial compensation to help make your life a little bit easier. You may receive compensation for the damages suffered from the abuse.

This includes money for medical expenses, lost wages, therapy and treatment, and for years of pain and suffering.

If you were sexually assaulted at Archbishop Keough High School, call The Yost Legal Group. We are filing claims against the Archdiocese of Baltimore on behalf of women.

Don’t hesitate to contact us today at 1-800-Yost-Law for a free initial consultation. We will explain how you can pursue justice and financial compensation. Let us help you get the closure you deserve.

You never have to pay any fees upfront when hiring The Yost Legal Group. No money is due while we build your case and file your claim. We only get paid after we settle your case successfully. And if there is no recovery, no fees or expenses are due.

Sexual Abuse Helpline and Definitions of rape and sexual assault

Help for Sexual Assault: Hotline for sexual assault: 1-800-656-4673

Sexual Assault Definition: Sexual assault is an act in which one intentionally sexually touches another person without that person’s consent or coerces or physically forces a person to engage in a sexual act against their will.[1] It is a form of sexual violence that includes child sexual abuse, groping, rape (forced sexual penetration, no matter how slight), drug-facilitated sexual assault), and the torture of the person in a sexual manner.[1][2][3] (The work is released under CC-BY-SA )

Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_assault

Rape Definition: Rape is a type of sexual assault involving sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual penetration carried out against a person without their consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority, or against a person who is incapable of giving valid consent, such as one who is unconscious, incapacitated, has an intellectual disability, or is below the legal age of consent.[1][2] The term rape is sometimes used interchangeably with the term sexual assault.[3] (The work is released under CC-BY-SA )

Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape

Help for Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse in Baltimore

Posted on May 18, 2023May 20, 2023 by YostLaw

Sexual abuse is a terrible crime. It not only violates a person in a physical sense but also robs them of their innocence and dignity. There is help available for Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse in Baltimore. This is especially heartbreaking when those in positions of morality, such as members of the Catholic Church, are behind the abuses.

Sadly, this has been the case in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. A report was recently released. It revealed that over 600 children were sexually abused by 150 priests and other church affiliates over the past 80 years.

In this blog, we delve deeper into the report’s findings, the church’s response, and how victim-survivors can seek justice.

The Maryland Attorney General’s Office released the report. It accused the archdiocese of decades of cover-ups. It also painted a damning picture of the church’s failure to protect vulnerable children.

Shockingly, some parishes, schools, and congregations had more than one abuser at the same time. Several instances of multiple abusers were identified at St. Mark Parish in Catonsville. Between 1964 and 2004, 11 abusers lived and worked in the area.

This level of abuse and cover-up is hard to imagine and demands immediate action.

Even if your clergy sexual abuse occurred over 50 years ago, we can seek justice on your behalf.

Making the Church Accountable for Its Crimes

Based on the report’s findings, the church hierarchy has been held culpable for the staggering pervasiveness of the abuse.

The number of abusers and victims is alarming, and so is the severity of the abuser’s behavior. Shockingly, known abusers were often allowed to keep victimizing children.

The report identified 156 individuals who abused over 600 children, but the actual number of victims may be much higher than that.

The report’s disclosure sparked outrage and renewed calls for justice. Victim-survivors deserve justice, restitution, and the opportunity to heal. The Catholic Church must be held accountable for the abuse it allowed to persist for decades.

The church’s response has been a mixed bag so far. Several officials have expressed regret over the abuse, while others have remained silent.

Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore apologized publicly. In his statement, he promised to be part of the solution. He also admitted to the church’s complicity.

He asked believers to use the report’s findings to strengthen their faith. However, many survivors, advocates, and their families are not convinced.

They feel betrayed and have lost all faith in a system that allowed the abuse to go on unchecked.

Getting Justice for Those Sexually Abused by the Baltimore Archdiocese

The revelations of sexual abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore are shocking. They reveal the corruption that is ingrained in the Catholic Church. We must stand with the survivors of the abuse and demand accountability from church officials.

The Catholic Church must prioritize protecting the innocent and the vulnerable, not its image or reputation. Victims deserve not just apologies but justice – an end to these heinous abuses and the assurance of never again being victimized.

The release of this report is a step in the right direction, and it’s our hope that justice will be served. Together, let us fight for victims’ rights and stamp out sexual abuse in all its forms.

First and foremost, there is no shame in being a victim of sexual abuse. At the Yost Legal Group, we recognize the bravery of those who speak out about their experiences. We are committed to advocating for their rights.

Seeking Financial Justice for Baltimore’s Sexual Abuse Survivors

Every abuse case is unique, and that is why our child sexual abuse lawyers will discuss your situation for free.

The impact of sexual abuse can endure for many years and manifest in different ways. You may suffer from emotional, psychological, and physical trauma that requires treatment and support.

If you or a loved one has been impacted by such an ordeal, you are not alone. The Yost Legal Group can provide the help, support, and guidance you are looking for.

There are ways in which we can seek financial compensation for you as one way to fight back against your abuser.

– If you have incurred expenses relating to therapy, medical care, and lost income.

– You may seek compensation for pain and suffering.

– Other related expenses throughout your life related to your mental and physical well-being.

– Unable to build your career or advance in job opportunities.

We know that no monetary compensation can right the wrongs that were done to you. It can, however, help you regain some control over your life and help you move forward.

Seeking restitution from the institution that enabled the abuse to occur should not be confused with seeking financial gain. Our sexual abuse attorney division will stand up for you with dignity and respect.

Punishment for those who contributed to the trauma should include economic and legal repercussions. There is now a new law that removes the statute of limitations for adult survivors in the state of Maryland.

The Yost Legal Group is helping survivors of Catholic Church Sexual Abuse claims.

The Yost Legal Group Is Here to Help

At the Yost Legal Group, we have experience representing men and women who are sexual abuse survivors by the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

We understand that each case is unique and requires a high level of sensitivity, discretion, and compassion. A clergy sexual abuse lawyer will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the justice and compensation that you rightfully deserve.

No amount of money can give back what was taken from you. However, holding accountable those who contributed to your trauma can provide a path to healing and recovery. It is your right to take legal action against the catholic priests and their sexual offenses.

The road to recovery can be challenging, but with the right team of professionals by your side, it can be made easier. Contact the Yost Legal Group today and let us help you take the first step towards finding peace of mind.

For too long, vulnerable targets of sexual abuse have been silenced and their trauma ignored. At the Yost Legal Group, a sexual abuse lawyer will fight for your rights while maintaining your privacy. If you have been molested by someone in the church, there is help for sexual abuse survivors.

If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual abuse by the Archdiocese of Baltimore, don’t suffer in silence. Call a sexual assault lawyer today at 1-800-Yost-Law. Let us help you seek the justice and compensation that you deserve.

Together, we can work towards you taking your power back.

Tag: clergy sexual abuse