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Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Rev. John H. Acres was a Jesuit priest ordained in 1983 who served at Boston College High School in the late 1980s. In 2002, a lawsuit was filed accusing Acres of sexually abusing students during his time at the school. The allegations were referred to the Suffolk District Attorney for investigation. Acres left the Jesuit order in 1995, years before the allegations became public.
On January 15, 2019, the Northeast Province of the Society of Jesus included Acres on its list of credibly accused priests, noting that he had admitted to the abuse. The Diocese of Fall River also added his name to its list of credibly accused clergy in January 2021, acknowledging the credible nature of the allegations against him. These admissions represent a significant acknowledgment of harm inflicted upon vulnerable young people who were under his pastoral care and authority.
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.
For survivors of abuse by Father John H. Acres, the path to justice involves both acknowledgment and accountability. Civil litigation provides survivors an avenue to hold religious institutions responsible for their failure to protect children under their care. Massachusetts law recognizes that religious organizations owe a duty of care to minors in their programs and parishes, and when they breach that duty through negligence in hiring, supervision, or retention of abusive clergy, they can be held liable.
Survivors who come forward not only seek personal healing but also help prevent future abuse by forcing institutions to confront systemic failures. The legal process allows survivors to obtain compensation for the profound psychological, emotional, and spiritual harm caused by clergy sexual abuse. Each case that reaches resolution contributes to a broader culture of accountability, demonstrating that institutions cannot shield themselves from consequences when they prioritize reputation over child safety.
By pursuing civil claims, survivors reclaim power that was taken from them and ensure that their voices are heard, their experiences validated, and their suffering acknowledged.
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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