Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Father Joseph Albert Fredette was an ordained priest and professed member of the Augustinians of the Assumption (the Assumptionist order), a Catholic religious order that operates independently of the local diocesan hierarchy. He was based in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he served as executive director of Come Alive, Inc., a halfway house for troubled youth operated under contract with the state Department of Youth Services.
In 1974, Fredette fled to Canada following allegations that he had sexually abused two to three boys, including claims of rape, at the halfway house. He was indicted by a Worcester County grand jury in 1992. Fredette was arrested in 1994 and extradited from Canada to face criminal charges in Massachusetts. Separately, a civil suit had been filed in 1993 in New Hampshire by another individual alleging sexual abuse by Fredette; that matter was settled for $100,000 in October 1994.
In 1995, Fredette was convicted on criminal sexual abuse charges and sentenced to three concurrent terms of four to five years in prison. He served his sentence and was released in 1999. In October 2002, the Massachusetts Appeals Court overturned the conviction, citing procedural errors at trial — including the trial judge’s failure to adequately address a juror’s exposure to media coverage and improper statements by the prosecutor during closing arguments. Fredette was subsequently named in a District Attorney’s report examining clergy sexual abuse in the Worcester Diocese. He died in Michigan on June 13, 2010.
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 abuse by Father Joseph Albert Fredette may face significant legal and emotional challenges in seeking acknowledgment and accountability for the harm they endured. Massachusetts law may allow survivors to pursue civil claims against religious institutions or religious orders — including claims involving negligent supervision, failure to act on prior warnings, or conduct that facilitated a clergy member’s continued access to children. Whether such claims are viable depends on the specific facts of each survivor’s experience and the institutional relationships involved. An attorney can help evaluate your potential options.
For many survivors, civil legal action can serve as a meaningful form of acknowledgment. It may create a formal record of what occurred, including evidence of what institutions knew and when — and what actions they failed to take. While outcomes vary, the legal process can be a powerful avenue for survivors seeking accountability for the harm they suffered.
Legal accountability also serves a broader protective function. By examining the role of institutions in overseeing clergy with histories of sexual abuse, civil litigation contributes to a culture of transparency, oversight, and responsibility that may help protect others in the future. Each case that moves forward — whether through settlement or trial — reinforces the importance of institutional accountability and the duty to protect vulnerable individuals.
If you or someone you know may have been sexually abused by Father Fredette or by the institutions responsible for his supervision, you may be able to pursue a civil claim. Contact Herman Law to speak confidentially with an attorney about your experience and your options.
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.
Attorney Advertising Disclaimer
This is an advertisement for legal services. The content provided is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect current legal developments. It is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Legal outcomes depend on numerous factors, including specific facts, applicable law, opposing parties, and other circumstances. Do not take action based solely on the information in this advertisement. Every case is different. Any discussion of past results is for illustrative purposes only and does not guarantee or predict similar outcomes in future cases. No statement in this advertisement should be interpreted as a promise or guarantee of results. In the absence of a recovery, no fee will be charged to you and you will not be liable for any litigation expenses.
Attorney-Client Relationship & Confidentiality
Viewing this advertisement, contacting our firm, or requesting a consultation does not create an attorney-client relationship. Such a relationship is only formed through a signed agreement with our firm. Any information shared between you and our firm before an attorney-client relationship is established is not confidential, privileged, or protected from disclosure. If you require immediate legal assistance, please contact our office directly.
Responsibility for Content
This advertisement is sponsored by Herman Law Firm.
Data Collection & Tracking
This advertisement may use tracking technology and allow third parties, including Meta, to collect data from user interactions for advertising and analytics purposes. These third parties may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies for targeted advertising. To learn more about data collection practices and opt-out options, visit: https://optout.aboutads.info/?c=2&lang=EN.
Call us: 1 866 850 3766 
call us: 1 866 850 3766 
Message Us 
Call Us