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Father Stephen F. Dawber was a Jesuit priest who served in multiple educational institutions in Massachusetts and Maine. Along with two other Jesuits at Boston College High School, Dawber was accused of molesting several students during the 1970s and early 1980s. He is also alleged to have arranged to have one of the other accused Jesuits, James Talbot, transferred to Cheverus High School in Maine — where Dawber was serving as principal at the time — and where Talbot went on to abuse again. Dawber himself is not known to have sexually abused at Cheverus before returning to Boston College High School.
Dawber was suspended from his position at Boston College High School in March 2002, at which time his name became public through media reporting. He died on April 29, 2010. In January 2019, the Jesuits Northeast Province formally added Dawber to its list of credibly accused clergy. The Diocese of Fall River included his name on its publicly accused list in January 2021, noting that he had worked at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River from 1985 to 1990.
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 Father Stephen F. Dawber are confronting an institutional record that shows how Jesuit officials transferred known or suspected abusers between assignments without warning receiving institutions. For survivors of sexual abuse by Father Dawber, civil litigation may offer the opportunity to compel the Jesuits Northeast Province to answer questions about what its officials knew during his years of ministry, when concerns about his conduct first arose, and what role Dawber played in facilitating Talbot’s placement at Cheverus.
That Dawber was publicly suspended and named in 2002, yet not formally acknowledged by the Jesuits Northeast Province on its own credibly accused list until nearly two decades later, raises questions about the pace and scope of institutional disclosure. Massachusetts law may permit survivors to hold religious orders accountable for negligent supervision, assignment, and retention of their members, and for any role they may have played in facilitating the transfer of known abusers to new locations. Whether a civil claim is available depends on the specific facts and circumstances of each survivor’s experience.
Survivors who come forward today contribute to ensuring that Dawber’s name remains part of the permanent record and that the Jesuits are held to account for what occurred.
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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