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Father Victor C. LaVoie served within the Archdiocese of Boston, MA, including assignments at St. Thomas of Villanova Church in Wilmington and St. John Chrysostom Church in West Roxbury. In July 2002, he was placed on administrative leave following a recent allegation that he had sexually abused a 15-year-old boy approximately 20 years earlier while serving in Wilmington. A second allegation involving abuse during the same time period surfaced in 2003. Father LaVoie denied the allegations.
He remained unassigned according to the Archdiocese’s website as of May 4, 2009, and was still on administrative leave as of August 2011, based on the Archdiocese’s published list. In November 2011, a canonical court determined that the charges were “not proven,” and he was granted retirement status. Father LaVoie died on June 26, 2014.
In 2023, a civil lawsuit was filed alleging that Father LaVoie had sexually abused a 12-year-old boy in 1975 in the sacristy of St. John Chrysostom Church in West Roxbury. That lawsuit was settled.
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.
When allegations of clergy abuse arise, survivors often face lasting emotional and psychological harm that may persist for decades. Civil court provides a forum where survivors can seek accountability, even when criminal proceedings do not occur or church tribunals reach different conclusions.
In Massachusetts, civil claims involving childhood sexual abuse may address not only the conduct of the individual priest but also the role of the institution responsible for supervision and placement. These claims may examine whether appropriate safeguards were in place, whether prior complaints were addressed adequately, and whether children were protected from foreseeable harm.
A civil case may result in financial compensation, but it can also provide formal acknowledgment of harm and create a public record. For many survivors, this acknowledgment carries meaningful weight. Litigation can bring transparency to decisions made within diocesan leadership and help ensure that patterns of misconduct are not concealed.
The passage of time does not automatically prevent survivors from pursuing justice. Massachusetts law recognizes that disclosure of childhood sexual abuse is often delayed, and civil remedies remain available in certain circumstances. Legal deadlines may still apply, however, and survivors are encouraged to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to understand their 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.
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