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1 800 686 9921
Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Deacon Joseph I. Crowley, Jr. was ordained to the permanent diaconate in 1980 and served in the Archdiocese of Boston, Massachusetts, including assignments at St. Anne’s in Readville.
In August 1998, Crowley was arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty in February 1999 to multiple counts of rape and indecent assault and battery on a child younger than 14, involving two family members as victims.
He was sentenced to three consecutive 2½‑year prison terms and 10 years of probation. Crowley was later voluntarily laicized in March 2006.
His name also appears on the Archdiocese of Boston’s list of clergy accused of sexual abuse of a child, first released in August 2011. These criminal admissions reflect documented harm inflicted upon children known to Crowley.
With decades of dedicated advocacy, we have held abusers and institutions accountable, helping survivors secure justice and the resources to move forward.
For over two decades, we have focused solely on advocating for survivors, combining legal skill with compassion to guide them toward justice and healing.
We are honored to have guided thousands of survivors through the legal process, offering support, advocacy, and the resources they need to reclaim their lives.
Survivors of sexual abuse by Deacon Joseph I. Crowley, Jr. may be able to pursue civil claims against the Archdiocese of Boston. Such claims may examine what the Archdiocese knew about Crowley’s conduct, what supervision was provided during his assignments, and whether the institution met its duty of care. Crowley’s 1999 guilty plea to multiple counts of rape and indecent assault and battery on a child younger than 14 represents a documented criminal acknowledgment of abuse, and the Archdiocese’s inclusion of his name on its 2011 disclosure list reflects institutional recognition of the harm connected to his ministry.
The criminal conviction establishes a factual foundation that is directly relevant to civil claims examining what the Archdiocese knew about Crowley’s conduct during his years as a permanent deacon and what supervision was provided. Civil litigation may provide a means to seek access to internal records and personnel files that could address the Archdiocese’s oversight of Crowley across his assignments.
Civil proceedings may provide a forum in which the Archdiocese’s supervisory responsibilities during Crowley’s ministry can be formally examined, producing a record that holds the institution accountable for the oversight it provided to a deacon whose criminal conduct was ultimately documented through guilty plea and conviction. Civil claims may also seek compensation for therapy costs, long-term psychological harm, and emotional distress.
Every survivor deserves compassion and acknowledgment. This video explains how civil law empowers individuals harmed by clergy abuse to pursue accountability and closure. Justice extends beyond courtrooms; it allows survivors to reclaim their voice and aids them on their healing journey. Survivors across Massachusetts continue proving that truth carries strength and healing begins with being heard.
Our experienced and compassionate team of attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and support staff have extensive training in working with sexual abuse victims.
These cases are complex; however, our team are experts in these types of cases and will diligently ensure our clients are compensated for full and fair value. We always do our best to help our clients heal by giving them a voice
and helping them seek a measure of justice.
Massachusetts Disclaimer:Herman Law has a multistate practice representing victims of sexual abuse in civil cases. A Herman Law attorney is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts. Each case is different, and results in prior cases do not assure a similar outcome in future cases. If there is no recovery, no fees or expenses will be charged. Attorney Advertising by Jenny Rossman.
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