Sex Abuse Survivors To File Lawsuits Against Baltimore Archdiocese

BALTIMORE, MD — Two prominent attorneys plan to file a series of lawsuits against the Baltimore Archdiocese on behalf of survivors after the release of a damning grand jury report detailing allegations of sexual abuse within the institution and the cover-up of that abuse by the leadership of the Catholic Church.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is known for often representing victims in police brutality cases, announced the lawsuits during a Tuesday news conference streamed on Instagram. He appeared alongside attorney Adam Slater, who has partnered with Crump on other high-profile child sex abuse cases in the past, according to an Associated Press report.

• RELATED: Baltimore Archdiocese Sex Abuse Report Released: 'A Depraved Failure'

The announcement came after Gov. Wes Moore recently signed a bill eliminating the statute of limitations for child sex abuse lawsuits.

The law takes effect Oct. 1. The lawsuits, which accuse the Archdiocese of failing to take action against the rampant sexual abuse, will be filed after that date, according to reports.

"Finally, (the victims) can get some measure of justice," Crump said during the news conference.

He continued, "You are victims no more. You are heroes for others who have suffered abuse by clergy of the Catholics of this city and this state. We are going to continue to stand with you."

The redacted report, released by Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown on April 4, detailed "a long history of widespread abuse and systemic cover-up by clergy," according to a statement to Brown.

The report also identified nearly 160 former and current priests and other church members accused of sexually abusing more than 600 children over eight decades.

In 2019, the Archdiocese of Baltimore released the names of priests accused of sexual abuse but disclosed few details despite an extensive investigation. During the process, authorities subpoenaed hundreds of thousands of documents and interviewed former priests, church employees, witnesses, and survivors of sexual abuse. Authorities then compiled a report titled "Clergy Abuse in Maryland."

In November, former Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh filed a motion to release the report to the public. A judge ordered the release of the report in February.

According to an AP report, the Baltimore Archdiocese has paid over $13.2 million for care and compensation for 301 abuse victims, including $6.8 million toward 105 voluntary settlements in the past four decades. The recent law change could allow for numerous additional lawsuits.

Crump's announcement came a day after abuse survivors called for the resignation of Archbishop William Lori after the names of 15 priests and other church members were left out of the report, CBS Baltimore reported.

"We have to go after not only the perpetrators but those who are protecting the perpetrators," survivor Frank Schindler said.

In April, before the report's release, Lori posted a letter and video online asking Catholics to join him in praying for survivors of sexual abuse.

"The report is likely to evoke many emotions: anger, disgust, disillusionment, and sadness among them," Lori wrote. "On behalf of the Archdiocese, I offer my heartfelt apology to the victim-survivors and their families once again today, as I will tomorrow and every day that an expression of regret and atonement is meaningful to those who have suffered.