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1 800 686 9921
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1 800 686 9921
Father Robert E. Barrett was ordained in 1963 and served within the Archdiocese of Boston during the 1960s and beyond. Allegations against him first came to light in 1993, when he was accused of molesting a minor during a camping trip in the 1960s. That matter resulted in a settlement of $30,000 in 1994. In 1997, a separate lawsuit alleged that Barrett had abused a 15-year-old youth for nearly two years between 1967 and 1968, while serving as a priest and coach of a swim team connected to a Framingham, Massachusetts church.
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.
Father Robert E. Barrett’s record follows a pattern many survivors of institutional clergy sexual abuse will recognize — years of allegations, multiple victims, settlements handled quietly, and a church that waited decades to formally acknowledge what had occurred. For survivors who experienced harm at his hands, the path to justice does not end with a settlement reached decades ago or with the passage of time.
Civil litigation in Massachusetts has historically provided survivors with a meaningful forum for accountability, even in cases involving older allegations. Courts in the Commonwealth have recognized that the harm inflicted by clergy sexual abuse does not diminish with time, and that institutions bear responsibility when they fail to act on warning signs or place individuals with known risks in positions of authority over vulnerable young people.
The circumstances of Father Barrett’s case, including early settlements, his removal from active ministry, and his eventual placement on the archdiocesan list of credibly accused clergy, illustrate how institutional knowledge of abuse can exist long before survivors receive any public acknowledgment. For those who never came forward, or whose harm was never part of any proceeding, civil law may provide an avenue to seek accountability.
Every person harmed deserves the opportunity to have their experience acknowledged and to seek the accountability that was not provided at the time the abuse 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.
Client Reviews
Herman law saved my life. Plain and simple. I am forever grateful for my family at Herman law. They brought me and my family justice and then delivered accountability to a corrupt and broken system. They uncovered the agencies cover up and then confronted my perpetrator, holding him accountable. I am forever grateful and can now live a life enveloped in healing and hope. Thank you Herman law family. Love you guys!!
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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