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
