Sexual Abuse Litigation and Resources for Victims
An index of news reporting on sexual abuse allegations, lawsuits, investigations and outcomes involving companies, schools, governments and religious organizations.
Ongoing trial
Russell Brand
The 2023 investigation into the comedian and broadcaster, the BBC and Channel 4 reviews that followed, and the criminal case in London, where he denies rape and sexual assault charges.
Full timeline, 36 developmentsOctober 2026
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Jury hears from sixth complainant as Brand trial turns to alleged assault at his home
Prosecutors began presenting the allegations of a sixth woman, playing parts of her police interview in which she says an encounter at Brand's home turned non-consensual a week after consensual contact. Brand denies all seven charges.
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Lawsuit accuses Alpha Delta Phi and University of Chicago of ignoring years of assault reports at chapter
An anonymous student's Cook County suit alleges she was assaulted at a February fraternity party and that the fraternity and university knew of sexual assault reports at the chapter dating to 2009 but required no safeguards. The fraternity says it suspended the member; police are still investigating.
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Seventeen Democratic attorneys general urge Congress to pass second Epstein files bill
In a letter to congressional leaders, state attorneys general backed Rep. Thomas Massie's bill requiring the Justice Department to share unredacted Epstein records with state and local prosecutors. The department says withheld files are duplicates, unrelated or privileged.
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Massachusetts AG meets clergy abuse survivors, renews push to end statute of limitations
Weeks after her report on three dioceses, Attorney General Andrea Campbell met privately with survivors and described her office's push to lift time limits, remove the charitable immunity cap and open a lookback window. Some survivors said investigators never contacted them.
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Amazon employee sues, saying company failed to protect her after she reported rape by a senior manager
An unnamed Amazon employee alleges in a new suit that the company kept her working alongside a senior manager she reported for raping her on a 2023 company-funded trip and ran an inadequate investigation. Amazon's internal review found insufficient evidence of a policy violation; police closed their inquiry without charges.
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Mercer Island School District claim over alleged teacher grooming settles for $1.5 million
A former Mercer Island High School student's $13.4 million claim, alleging administrators failed to stop a longtime English teacher's grooming and abuse about 15 years ago, was resolved before suit for $1.5 million. The district's insurance pool pays the full amount and there is no admission of liability.
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Woman sues Kansas priest, Diocese of Salina and Kansas City archdiocese alleging misconduct cover-up
An adult woman alleges Rev. Ryan McCandless, already facing unrelated child sex charges, used a spiritual-counseling relationship to coerce her into sexual contact in 2024, and that the Diocese of Salina, the Kansas City archdiocese and a Manhattan parish concealed her report. The archdiocese says he never served there; Salina declined comment.
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Ghana's Obuasi Senior High Technical headmaster arrested as police probe students' abuse allegations
Several female students have accused the school's headmaster of sexual misconduct; the education minister ordered him interdicted and police say he was arrested, with one rape docket sent to the Attorney-General for advice. Activists question whether earlier complaints were ignored by school and education authorities.
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Judge upholds Maryland Child Victims Act against WWE challenge, letting ring boys suit proceed
U.S. District Judge James Bredar rejected a due process challenge by WWE, TKO, Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon to applying Maryland's 2023 Child Victims Act to alleged abuse of ring crew boys in the 1980s and 1990s. The suit by seven anonymous plaintiffs now moves toward discovery; the defendants deny the allegations.
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Federal judge dismisses suit accusing Southern Baptist Convention of giving sex offender access to children
Judge Richard Gergel dismissed, for lack of jurisdiction, a lawsuit by parents of a Pawleys Island Christian Academy student alleging the SBC and its Executive Committee let a convicted sex offender keep access to children. The ruling did not decide the underlying allegations.
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Fourth complainant tells Brand trial of alleged assault at Choice FM studios
A former radio station worker testified that Brand sexually assaulted her at Choice FM's London studios in the mid-2000s and said the workplace culture deterred her from reporting it. Brand denies the charge.
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Channel 4 worker tells trial she reported Brand to the broadcaster in 2009
A woman who worked on a Channel 4 project in 2009 testified that she was pressured into massaging Brand, who then laid his head in her lap, and that she reported it to her line manager the next day. Brand denies the sexual assault charge; Channel 4 had earlier apologised for failing to investigate a 2009 complaint.
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Jury sees police interview of woman alleging rape at Brand's Hampstead home in 2009
Jurors watched the recorded police interview of a woman who met Brand after a Hammersmith Apollo show in 2009 and says consensual sex at his home became non-consensual when he did not stop; police photos of the house were shown. Brand denies the rape charge.
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Loyola University Chicago students protest as Title IX mishandling lawsuit heads toward 2027 trial
Students rallied on campus over a lawsuit by ten former students alleging the university mishandled and underreported sexual assault complaints dating back to 2011. The university has failed to get the case dismissed, and a trial is set for September 2027; Loyola declined to comment on pending litigation.
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Taunton State Hospital nurse sues Massachusetts agencies over alleged workplace assault and retaliation
A nurse alleges the state kept a coworker on the job despite two earlier complaints before he allegedly assaulted her in 2025, then tried to reassign her while colleagues retaliated. The coworker faces criminal charges and has pleaded not guilty; the department says it acted promptly and later fired him.
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Lawsuit says Horry County Schools ignored warning signs before Aynor High teacher's arrest
A family's suit alleges a former Aynor High School teacher groomed a student and sent explicit material, and that district staff knew or should have known and failed to intervene. The teacher was arrested in 2025 on related criminal charges and resigned; the district has not commented on the suit.
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Vatican upholds Lafayette bishop's excommunication of deacon whose son was abused by a priest
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith rejected a former deacon's appeal of his excommunication, which followed his departure from the Church over the abuse of his son by Father Michael Guidry, who confessed and is serving a prison sentence. Critics note the bishop let Guidry remain a priest.
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Reformed Church of Zurich apologizes after review finds it mishandled abuse by a former vicar
An external report found at least ten women suffered sexual, physical and psychological abuse by a former vicar between 1992 and 2006, and that the church closed its 2007 inquiry without acknowledging the confirmed abuse. The church council apologized and pledged to handle future cases differently.
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eXp Realty settles one agent's sexual assault suit as trial against two ex-recruiters begins
eXp Realty and parent AGNT reached a confidential settlement with an agent who alleged she was sexually assaulted by company-affiliated recruiters, without admitting wrongdoing, as her federal trial against two former recruiters opened in Los Angeles. A separate suit by four other women naming eXp is still pending.
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Third complainant alleges Brand orally raped her in a Soho bar toilet in 2004
A former MTV worker told the jury Brand groped her within a minute of meeting at a London bar in 2004 and then pulled her into a toilet where she says he forced a sex act on her; her 2023 police interview was played. Brand denies the charges.
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Defence tells third complainant the alleged toilet assault was physically impossible
Under cross-examination, Ian Winter KC suggested the woman went willingly with Brand, that others would have seen any assault, and that she only called it rape after the 2023 coverage; she disputed his account. Brand denies the charges.
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Survivors ask New Hampshire Supreme Court to roll back YDC fund changes
Survivors' attorneys argued the state breached a binding agreement by giving the attorney general veto power over awards. The state contends no binding contract existed.
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Former student sues Evergreen Public Schools, alleging district failed to stop band teacher's abuse
A former Mountain View High School student filed suit in Clark County Superior Court alleging the district failed to protect her from years of grooming and sexual abuse by a band teacher in the early 2000s. The claims are allegations and have not been tested in court.
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Georgetown updates clerical abuse page after reporting on a Jesuit's alleged misconduct with students
After the student paper reported that a late Jesuit priest allegedly harassed at least four students and returned to campus after a 1998 complaint, Georgetown revised its Title IX page to acknowledge a 2010 finding of unwanted touching and disclosed new protocols for sharing Jesuit misconduct reports.
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Second complainant says Brand tried to drag her into toilets at MTV in 2001
A former MTV Europe worker testified that Brand grabbed her arm and tried to pull her into the men's toilets before she freed herself; the defence called it a brief, minor incident. Brand denies the indecent assault charge.
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Former flatmate tells trial sex was a preoccupation for Brand in the late 1990s
A former flatmate and member of Brand's cabaret troupe gave evidence about the 1999 Bournemouth trip, describing Brand as egotistical and recalling he did not return with the group one night. Brand denies all charges.
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First complainant tells jury Brand raped her after 1999 Labour conference event
The jury watched the police interview of the first complainant, who alleges Brand raped her in her hotel room in Bournemouth in 1999, before she gave evidence from behind screens. Brand denies the charge.
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Defence challenges first complainant's memory as jury is shown 1999 hotel photos
Defence barrister Ian Winter KC suggested the first complainant had reimagined a consensual encounter and questioned discrepancies in her account, using photos she took in the hotel room; she rejected his suggestions. Brand denies the charge.
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Englewood school district sued over alleged abuse by after-school program aide
A new lawsuit against the Englewood school board, the city and an elementary school alleges officials knew or should have known about the conduct of a former after-school program aide who was arrested in 2023 on multiple sexual assault charges. The suit claims negligence and failure to supervise; the district had not commented.
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Prosecution opens case, describing Brand as a calculated and manipulative predator
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC told jurors six women who did not know each other would describe alleged assaults at a hotel, workplaces including broadcasters, a bar and Brand's home. Brand denies all charges and has told police encounters were consensual or that he does not recall them.
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Lyft asks federal judge to narrow consolidated passenger sexual assault lawsuits
At a hearing in San Francisco, Lyft argued that negligence and product liability claims in roughly 136 consolidated federal suits by riders alleging assault by drivers should be dismissed. The judge voiced skepticism of some of Lyft's arguments but did not rule from the bench.
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Cornell president acknowledges he never followed up on 2024 fraternity gang-rape report
Cornell's president said he did not check the outcome of a student's 2024 report of a fraternity gang rape, as a lawsuit alleges the university mishandled her complaints and the faculty senate weighs a no-confidence resolution. New York's governor named the state attorney general special prosecutor and ordered an independent review of Cornell's handling of the case.
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Jury sworn in for Russell Brand rape and sexual assault trial
A jury was sworn in after the judge excluded potential jurors who had seen coverage of the allegations and told them not to research the case. Brand firmly denies all seven charges.
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Brand trial opens at Southwark Crown Court with jury selection
Jury selection began in Brand's trial on three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault involving six women between 1999 and 2009. Brand, who is on bail, denies all charges.
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Federal judge rejects Oakland Diocese bankruptcy plan covering about 330 abuse claims
A federal bankruptcy judge declined to confirm the Oakland Diocese's Chapter 11 plan meant to resolve roughly 330 clergy abuse claims, citing insufficient evidentiary support. The judge indicated a revised plan could still be approved.
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Former Menlo-Atherton student sues Sequoia Union High School District over alleged teacher abuse
A former student filed suit in San Mateo County alleging a former teacher sexually abused her between 2006 and 2010 and that the district failed to supervise, investigate, warn students or report the teacher to police. The district did not respond to requests for comment.
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Uber settles third bellwether passenger assault case in Texas just before opening statements
Uber reached a confidential settlement with a Texas rider shortly after jury selection in the third bellwether trial of the federal passenger sexual assault litigation. Thousands of similar cases remain pending in the multidistrict litigation in California.
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Judge rules police searches of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's homes unlawful
A London judge found Thames Valley Police made significant errors obtaining warrants used to search the former prince's properties in its Epstein-related inquiry.
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Education Department opens probes into NYC schools and Jeffco over staff sexual misconduct handling
The U.S. Education Department's Office for Civil Rights launched investigations into how the New York City school system, Colorado's Jeffco Public Schools and unnamed districts in six other states handle sexual misconduct claims against employees, targeting so-called pass-the-trash practices. New York City schools said they take abuse allegations seriously and are reviewing the complaint.
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Second former student joins Child Victims Act suit against Montgomery County school board
An amended complaint adds a second former elementary student to a lawsuit alleging the school board negligently kept a teacher in roles with access to children despite complaints dating to 1993 and a 1995 child protective services finding. The suit relies on Maryland's Child Victims Act; the allegations are unproven.
September 2026
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Massachusetts AG report finds hundreds of clergy abused nearly 1,000 children in three dioceses
The Massachusetts attorney general released the state's first investigation into clergy abuse in three Catholic dioceses, finding that more than 270 clergy abused close to 1,000 children going back to the 1950s. The report notes Worcester remains the only diocese in the state without a public list of credibly accused priests.
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Scouting abuse trust has paid about $1.3 billion to 50,000 survivors as fees draw scrutiny
The Scouting Settlement Trust had distributed nearly $1.3 billion to just over 50,000 survivors, while about $40 million had gone to trustee and legal fees. Approved claimants were expected to receive only a small share of their claims' assessed value.
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Jury awards $164 million against College Park hotel operator in child sex trafficking case
A federal jury in Atlanta found the operator of a College Park Super 8 liable under federal trafficking law, concluding it knew or should have known of trafficking at the property and profited from it. The verdict totaled $164 million.
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Weinstein sentenced to 15 years in prison in New York retrial case
A Manhattan judge sentenced Weinstein to 15 years for the 2006 sexual assault of Miriam Haley; he maintains his innocence and still awaits resentencing in Los Angeles.
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New lawsuit seeks to block Epstein advisers from inheriting millions
Survivors sued to stop estate co-executors Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn from receiving bequests, alleging they enabled Epstein's abuse; the pair deny it.
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Family sues Savannah nursing home alleging cover-up of resident sexual assault
A lawsuit in Chatham County alleges a Savannah nursing facility failed to protect a nonverbal resident from sexual assault by another resident with a known history of misconduct and delayed informing her family. The facility had not responded to the allegations.
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House holds Leon Black in contempt of Congress
The House approved a resolution holding Black in contempt for defying its Epstein subpoena, referring the matter to federal prosecutors.
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Woman pleads guilty to defrauding Epstein victims' compensation fund
A Florida woman who received $750,000 from the estate-funded Epstein Victims' Compensation Program pleaded guilty to falsifying records in her claim.
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Former federal prison worker sentenced for sexual contact with inmates at FCI Thomson
Danny L. Spyker, a former corrections officer and cook supervisor convicted by a federal jury of sexual contact with inmates, was sentenced to three years and five months in prison. Prosecutors said he abused his position of authority over people in custody.
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Lawsuit alleges former Burnet County jail officer sexually abused a detainee
A former detainee filed a federal lawsuit against Burnet County and former detention officer Michael Jason Wilson alleging he sexually abused her in custody in 2024. The article notes Wilson was previously convicted on felony counts involving abuse of a different detainee; the new claims are allegations.
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Survivors' lawyers say Al Fayed claims could reach £150m as talks stall
KP Law, representing more than 275 alleged survivors, said settlement talks with Harrods and the Fayed estate had stalled pending litigation involving the estate.
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Appeals court tosses Dan Schneider's 'Quiet on Set' defamation suit
A California appellate panel unanimously ruled for the docuseries' makers under the anti-SLAPP law, finding the show did not defamatorily imply Schneider abused children.
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Lawsuit alleges Genesis Health Clubs trainer groomed and abused a teenage member
A former member alleges in a Jackson County, Missouri, lawsuit that a personal trainer at a Kansas City Genesis gym sexually abused her when she was a minor in 2021. The suit accuses the chain of negligent hiring, supervision and training.
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Sandusky forgoes recantation testimony as lawyers prepare federal bid
Appearing remotely from prison, Sandusky told a judge he agreed with his lawyers not to present the recanting accuser's testimony as they prepare to seek a new trial in federal court.
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Combs' projected prison release date moves again
Bureau of Prisons records listed a new projected release date of Feb. 5, 2028, for Combs, who is serving his sentence at Fort Dix.
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Leon Black skips Epstein deposition and sues House committee
The former Apollo CEO refused to appear for a sworn deposition about his $158 million in payments to Epstein and sued to block the subpoenas.
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Sandusky seeks to cancel recantation hearing and take case to federal court
Sandusky's lawyers asked to cancel the scheduled hearing, and Sandusky said in a prison recording that he wanted to pursue his claims in federal court.
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Former Cal softball player sues UC Regents, alleging coach pursued coercive sexual relationship
A former pitcher sued the University of California Regents and a former head softball coach, alleging a coercive sexual relationship and that the university was negligent in hiring, training and supervising staff who allegedly knew and did not intervene. The coach's tenure ended in 2025 shortly after the university received a report about the relationship.
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Diocese of Ogdensburg seeks to exit bankruptcy with $83 million abuse fund
The northern New York diocese proposed an $83 million survivor fund, including insurer contributions, to conclude its bankruptcy case.
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Florida court enters judgment against prison health contractor over gynecologist abuse claims
A federal court entered a $100,000 judgment in a civil case brought by five women prisoners alleging sexual abuse by a contracted gynecologist at Lowell Correctional Institution. The suit also alleged the state prison health contractor tolerated the conduct despite complaints; the doctor denies the allegations.
August 2026
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Court filings say one Sandusky accuser signed affidavit recanting testimony
Sandusky's lawyers said one of the trial witnesses signed an affidavit recanting, and a judge set an evidentiary hearing; the attorney general's office called the recantation highly suspect.
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Appeals court orders new trial after $10 million verdict against Carnival in shipboard assault suit
The 11th Circuit vacated parts of a $10.3 million Miami jury award to a passenger who alleged a crew member sexually assaulted her aboard a Carnival ship in 2018. The court ruled the jury should have been allowed to hear evidence from an FBI report and ordered a new trial.
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Ireland's schools abuse commission invites survivors to share experiences in national survey
The state Commission of Investigation into historical sexual abuse in Irish schools is launching a survey of people abused in schools between 1927 and 2013 to identify patterns and guide its inquiry. A 2024 scoping inquiry had identified more than 2,300 allegations at 308 religious-run schools, and a redress scheme is expected to follow.
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Judge rejects Maxwell's habeas bid to overturn conviction
Judge Paul Engelmayer rejected Maxwell's claims that new evidence warranted vacating her conviction, calling them meritless.
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Former child actor sues Disney alleging company failed to protect her from on-set abuse
A negligence lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleges a Disney employee sexually abused a minor actor during a 2001 Disney Channel production and that the company failed to protect her or investigate. Disney could not be reached for comment.
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Pentagon survey finds unwanted sexual contact down, more troops reporting
The fiscal 2025 report found prevalence fell among active-duty women and men, while about a third of those affected reported, up from a quarter in 2023.
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Judge rules ex-Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries competent to stand trial on sex trafficking charges
A federal judge in Brooklyn found former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries mentally fit for trial on sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges, reversing a 2025 finding. Jeffries is accused of exploiting male models while leading the company; jury selection was set for late October 2026.
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Pentagon report shows estimated military sexual assaults fell for third straight year
The Pentagon's fiscal 2025 report estimated about 20,500 active-duty members experienced sexual assault, down from earlier surveys, while formal reports rose to nearly 8,000. Advocacy groups questioned whether the decline reflects actual conditions.
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Johnny Hunt appeals dismissal of defamation suit to Sixth Circuit
Hunt filed a notice of appeal after the district court dismissed all his claims against the SBC, Guidepost and Barber.
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Phillips Academy alumni report abuse by school's former medical director
Two alumni reported they were sexually abused as students by the boarding school's former medical director, who served from 1992 to 2011 and was later convicted on federal child pornography charges. School leaders invited others to come forward and said they are working with an outside nonprofit on a survivor-centered policy review.
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Pornhub owner Aylo agrees to pay $120 million to settle child sexual abuse material class actions
Aylo agreed to a $120 million settlement, pending court approval, of two U.S. class actions alleging that videos of minors were uploaded to Pornhub without consent. The company denies the allegations but agreed to identity verification, moderation measures and outside audits.
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Texas and Roblox clash over discovery in state child-safety lawsuit
Texas's attorney general, who accuses Roblox of marketing itself as safe while failing to protect children from predators, says the company has been slow to turn over documents. Roblox calls the requests overbroad; a tentative trial date is set for 2028.
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Judge dismisses Johnny Hunt's final defamation claim
The court rejected Hunt's last remaining claim against Bart Barber, ruling Hunt was a public figure who failed to show actual malice.
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Raleigh rider files $50 million lawsuit against Lyft over alleged assault by driver
A North Carolina rider sued Lyft in Durham County alleging a driver sexually assaulted her during a ride in March 2026; the driver has been criminally charged and indicted. Lyft said it does not comment on pending litigation.
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Louisiana family sues Roblox and Discord alleging platforms enabled sexual exploitation of a teen
A lawsuit filed in Northern California alleges an adult groomed a Louisiana minor on Roblox and moved the contact to Discord, where exploitation followed. The suit claims both companies misled parents about child safety on their platforms.
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Ex-Kentucky swim coach settles abuse suit; claims against University of Kentucky head to 2027 trial
A former University of Kentucky head swim coach, previously banned for life by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, settled claims brought by two former swimmers alleging sexual assault and a hostile environment. The lawsuit's claims against the university and its former athletic director remain active, with trial set for May 2027; both deny wrongdoing.
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Interlochen-commissioned report details decades of abuse allegations against nearly 50 adults
An outside investigation commissioned by the Michigan arts boarding school documented about 70 allegations of sexual abuse by nearly 50 affiliated adults from the 1950s to the 2010s, including Jeffrey Epstein, and cited gaps in oversight and a permissive environment. The school apologized, referred names to law enforcement and created a counseling fund, though some alumni say the response falls short.
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New Mexico judge orders Meta to pay $567 million and tighten protections for minors
A Santa Fe judge found Meta created a public nuisance and ordered $567 million for a teen mental health fund plus a five-year decree including tighter limits on adult contact with minors and enhanced review of child sexual abuse reports. Meta said it will appeal.
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Tribunal upholds complaint against priest who failed to report Smyth disclosure
A disciplinary tribunal found Canon Andrew Cornes neglected his duties by not reporting a 1982 disclosure and imposed a conditional discharge.
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Arizona Supreme Court rules church leaders not bound to report abuse confessions
The court unanimously reinstated dismissal of the Bisbee lawsuit, holding the clergy exemption shielded bishops from reporting confessions.
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New Mexico sues Justice Department claiming it blocked state Epstein probe
New Mexico sued the Justice Department and acting Attorney General Blanche, alleging they withheld records needed for its investigation.
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Jury orders Harrisville Central School District to pay $3.5M over 1980s teacher abuse
A state Supreme Court jury ordered the Lewis County district to pay $3.5 million to a former student who alleged a teacher abused him in the early 1980s and that the district took no action after his parents reported it to the principal. The teacher died in 2018, and it is unclear whether the district will appeal.
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B.C. court approves $30M class-action settlement over abuse at two Vancouver Catholic schools
The B.C. Supreme Court approved a $30-million settlement of a class action by more than 200 former students alleging historical sexual, physical and psychological abuse at the two schools, including by Christian Brothers transferred from Newfoundland's Mount Cashel orphanage. The deal sets up a confidential claims process instead of a trial.
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Court approves $3M attorney fee deal in FCI Dublin sexual abuse class action
A federal court approved a $3 million settlement covering attorneys' fees in the class action over staff sexual abuse of women at the now-closed FCI Dublin. Related litigation has produced roughly $130 million in payouts to more than 130 former prisoners.
July 2026
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Federal appeals court says insurers may have to cover church's West Virginia abuse settlement
The 10th Circuit reversed a ruling for the church's insurers over settlements tied to abuse by Michael Jensen and sent the case back.
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Investigation finds misconduct reports at Michigan arts school Epstein funded
An outside investigation for the Interlochen school, where Epstein was a major donor, found two former attendees reported sexual conduct by him and uncovered allegations against nearly 50 others over decades.
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Nine more former detainees allege sexual abuse at Clark County juvenile detention center
Nine adults filed notices of intent to sue Clark County, alleging county employees sexually abused them as youths held at the juvenile center between 1990 and 2014. The claims bring the total number of claimants against the county to 17.
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Snohomish and Pierce counties ask court to make Washington state liable for juvenile abuse claims
Prosecutors for two Washington counties asked a judge to designate the state as the proper defendant in sexual abuse claims tied to county juvenile detention centers, arguing state-appointed judges controlled staffing. The counties estimate potential exposure in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
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Weill Cornell Medicine reaches compliance deal ending federal probe tied to convicted urologist
Weill Cornell agreed to fund a $30 million patient-safety institute and strengthen abuse prevention to resolve a federal criminal investigation over its handling of former urologist Darius Paduch, who was sentenced to life for abusing patients. The institution previously agreed to pay more than $1 billion to settle civil claims.
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Former WWE employee's suit against Vince McMahon and WWE moves to private arbitration
A former WWE employee who accused ex-chairman Vince McMahon of sex trafficking and abuse agreed with McMahon and WWE to resolve her federal lawsuit in private arbitration, with the court case to be dismissed. McMahon has denied the allegations.
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Eight more former detainees sue San Diego County over alleged abuse in juvenile facilities
Eight anonymous plaintiffs filed a federal lawsuit alleging guards sexually abused them while they were held in San Diego County juvenile facilities. The case adds to similar claims from hundreds of former residents.
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Acting AG Blanche meets Epstein survivors ahead of confirmation vote
Todd Blanche, nominated as attorney general, met with Epstein accusers after a Republican senator made it a condition of his support.
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Southwest Airlines sued over alleged in-flight sexual assault by intoxicated passenger
A passenger alleges Southwest allowed an intoxicated man to board a Seattle-to-Sacramento flight and served him more alcohol before he assaulted her; the man pleaded guilty in federal court to simple assault. The negligence suit claims the airline failed to train staff and follow its own policies.
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Education Secretary issues teacher sexual misconduct guidance, opens probes into 20 districts
Following reporting that California failed to revoke credentials of dozens of educators found to have committed sexual misconduct, the U.S. Education Department issued guidance threatening funding for schools that fail to protect students and opened investigations into 20 districts' handling of staff misconduct. It also opened an inquiry into LAUSD's reassignment policy for accused employees.
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UK to change law to allow deportation of Rochdale gang leader
The government said it would change the law to enable deportation of Shabir Ahmed after Pakistan refused to accept him.
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Former detainees file new suit alleging sexual abuse at Snohomish County's Denney juvenile center
Nine former detainees filed a negligence lawsuit alleging staff sexually abused them at the Denney juvenile facilities between the 1980s and 2012. The county said it is reviewing the complaint.
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Maryland claims immunity from some Child Victims Act suits; top court agrees to hear it
The state Supreme Court agreed to hear Maryland's argument that it is immune from some claims, a challenge that could end hundreds of suits.
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Lawsuit accuses Gillespie County of failing to supervise deputy accused of on-duty sexual assault
A woman filed a civil suit alleging a former sheriff's deputy sexually assaulted and harassed her while on duty in 2025, and that the county failed to properly screen and supervise him. The former deputy faces separate pending criminal charges unrelated to sexual assault; the civil claims are allegations.
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Executive Council approves $20 million more for YDC settlements
The council approved $20 million to continue settling claims from people abused at the former youth center, and the administrator said consultant rates would be cut.
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Burnham presses for deportation of Rochdale ringleader on release
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said nothing was off the table as concern grew over the release from prison of convicted Rochdale ringleader Shabir Ahmed, who could not be deported.
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Cook County jury awards $50 million against Peoria climbing camp over assault of young camper
A Cook County jury found the operators of a Peoria children's climbing camp negligent in supervision after a camper was sexually assaulted by another camper in 2022. The award totaled $50 million, including punitive damages.
June 2026
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Archdiocese of San Francisco reaches $395 million abuse settlement
A mediated $395 million deal in the archdiocese's bankruptcy would resolve more than 500 claims and require publication of a list of credibly accused priests.
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San Francisco Archdiocese reaches $395 million deal with abuse survivors in bankruptcy
The Archdiocese of San Francisco agreed to pay $395 million to resolve about 530 childhood clergy abuse claims as part of its Chapter 11 case. The deal requires claimant and bankruptcy court approval and includes non-monetary child-protection commitments.
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Judge rejects D.A.'s bid to pause L.A. County abuse settlement payments
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge denied the district attorney's request to halt payments on the settlement covering more than 11,000 claims. Survivors' lawyers had argued that delays would harm ill or financially struggling claimants.
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California appeals court upholds Weinstein's Los Angeles conviction but orders resentencing
A California appellate court affirmed Weinstein's 2022 rape conviction but vacated his 16-year sentence and sent the case back for resentencing.
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Prosecutors drop unresolved rape charge against Weinstein, avoiding fourth trial
Manhattan prosecutors dropped the remaining rape charge after Jessica Mann said she would not proceed with a fourth trial; the judge dismissed the count while Weinstein's other convictions stand.
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Maryland Supreme Court rules public schools immune from pre-1971 abuse claims
The court held that victims cannot sue public school systems for abuse that occurred before mid-1971, when governmental immunity applied.
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Michigan AG report reviews abuse allegations against 38 clergy in Diocese of Saginaw
Michigan's attorney general released a report of more than 250 pages on sexual misconduct allegations involving 37 priests and a deacon in the Diocese of Saginaw, the sixth in a series of statewide reports. No criminal charges resulted, as most incidents predated 2002.
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New Hampshire YDC abuse fund gets $20 million as new administrator aims to clear 1,700 claims
Lawmakers allocated $20 million, well below the requested $55 million, to pay claims from people abused at the state's former youth detention center. The fund's new administrator plans to resolve about 1,700 pending claims within three years.
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UK national grooming gangs inquiry names first areas for investigation
The national statutory inquiry into child sexual exploitation by grooming gangs named London, Bradford, Keighley and Oldham as its first local investigation areas. It will examine how police, councils, health and social services responded.
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Rhode Island opens two-year window for revived child sexual abuse lawsuits
Governor Dan McKee signed legislation changing the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims and creating a window through June 2028 for previously time-barred suits against institutions. The law followed a state attorney general report on the Diocese of Providence.
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Judge dismisses Dawn Richard's lawsuit against Combs as time-barred
A federal judge dismissed former Bad Boy artist Dawn Richard's 2024 abuse suit against Combs because the claims were filed after New York's limitations periods expired.
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D.A. seeks court order halting $4 billion settlement payouts, estimates most claims may be fraudulent
Hochman asked a Superior Court judge to freeze juvenile hall claim payouts through Dec. 31, 2026, estimating up to 81% of claims could be fraudulent. Plaintiffs' attorneys disputed the estimate.
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Bill Gates testifies to House panel about Epstein ties
Gates told the House Oversight Committee that Epstein tried to use knowledge of an extramarital affair to pressure him.
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SBC annual meeting turns to other issues as abuse reforms stall
Ahead of the 2026 meeting, reporting found SBC leaders seeking to move past the abuse crisis with key reforms unfinished.
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Records show South Jersey district paid $3.1M to settle teacher abuse suits
Previously undisclosed settlements released after a public records case show the district and its insurers paid at least $3.125 million over lawsuits alleging a former teacher, who later pleaded guilty, abused boys over more than a decade. Deposition testimony indicated officials had raised boundary concerns years before his arrest, and two suits remain pending.
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Ohio State agrees to roughly $100 million settlement with remaining Strauss plaintiffs
Ohio State trustees approved a preliminary agreement of about $100 million with all but one of 280 survivors still in litigation.
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Ohio State trustees approve about $100M settlement with former athletes over team doctor abuse
Ohio State's board approved a preliminary settlement of roughly $100 million covering nearly all of the 280 remaining claimants who said a late university doctor abused them, adding to more than $61 million paid earlier. An independent report previously found university staff knew of complaints as early as 1979 but failed to act.
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New Mexico Epstein 'Truth Commission' issues first subpoenas
A bipartisan state commission investigating Epstein's activities in New Mexico issued 14 subpoenas at its first meeting.
May 2026
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Judge denies Cosby a new trial, upholding $59 million verdict
A Los Angeles County judge rejected Cosby's bid for a new trial, leaving the roughly $59 million civil judgment in place.
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Complaint filed over alleged sexual abuse of children in Western Australia youth detention
Lawyers lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission on behalf of about 100 people alleging sexual abuse in WA's youth detention system, including by custodial staff. A class action may follow if conciliation fails.
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Crime and Policing Act 2026 creates mandatory duty to report child sexual abuse
The Crime and Policing Act, which received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026, introduced a statutory duty for people in child-facing roles in England to report child sexual abuse, one of IICSA's main recommendations.
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UK police open inquiries into historic child abuse allegations from Epstein files
Surrey Police said they were investigating two decades-old child sexual abuse allegations identified in the U.S. Justice Department's Epstein records.
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Weinstein's third New York trial ends in mistrial after jury deadlock
A Manhattan judge declared a mistrial after jurors said they were hopelessly deadlocked on the rape charge involving Jessica Mann.
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Special magistrate appointed for Child Victims Act cases against Maryland
The Maryland Supreme Court appointed a special magistrate to manage common issues in the thousands of suits against the state.
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Epstein survivors testify at congressional Democrats' hearing in West Palm Beach
Survivors spoke at a shadow hearing held by House Oversight Democrats in Palm Beach County, pressing for accountability from the Justice Department.
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Harrods redress scheme has fully compensated more than 75 Al Fayed abuse survivors
Harrods' compensation scheme for people abused by former owner Mohamed Al Fayed reports 259 survivors in the process, with more than 75 fully compensated and nearly 200 claims pending. Police and the IOPC continue separate inquiries into enablers and past police handling.
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Dozens compensated under Harrods scheme as watchdog probes five officers
More than 75 claimants had been fully compensated with about 200 claims still pending, while the police watchdog investigated five current and former Met officers over past handling of complaints.
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Judge releases note Epstein's cellmate says he found after 2019 incident
A federal judge made public a note that Epstein's former cellmate said he found after Epstein's first suspected suicide attempt in jail in July 2019.
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Final FCI Dublin officer sentenced, closing largest federal prison sex abuse prosecution
Former prison medic Jeffrey Wilson was sentenced to about 4.3 years for sexually abusing an incarcerated woman, the last sentencing among the 10 charged.
April 2026
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Calgary judge approves payouts in John Ware School abuse class action against CBE
A judge approved tiered payouts totaling about $15.8 million from the Calgary Board of Education to more than 50 former students who alleged abuse at John Ware School between 1988 and 2004. The board apologized, and the settlement gives survivors a role in shaping policy and training.
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State drops charges against former YDC worker after two hung juries
Prosecutors dropped sexual assault charges against Victor Malavet after two trials ended in deadlocked juries, deciding against a third trial.
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Justice Department inspector general audits handling of Epstein files
The department's internal watchdog launched an audit of how it handled and released Epstein-related records.
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Weinstein's third New York trial opens on remaining rape charge
Opening statements were set in Manhattan in a third trial on the rape charge involving Jessica Mann, with Weinstein held at Rikers Island amid reports of declining health.
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Uber found liable in second federal bellwether trial over driver misconduct
A federal jury in a North Carolina case found Uber liable for a driver's battery of a rider and awarded $5,000, after the judge ruled Uber is a common carrier under state law. Uber noted jurors found battery rather than sexual assault.
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Lawsuit against Massage Envy follows sexual abuse charge against Lexington therapist
A client sued Massage Envy in Fayette Circuit Court alleging it failed to supervise staff and implement safeguards after a therapist at its Lexington location was charged with first-degree sexual abuse. The suit also alleges the franchise concealed known risks across its locations.
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Bankruptcy judge sets claims deadline in El Paso Diocese abuse case
A federal bankruptcy judge set a September deadline for survivors to file abuse claims against the Diocese of El Paso after its Chapter 11 filing. The claims will shape a payment plan that survivors must vote on.
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Former IU basketball players appeal dismissal of suit over team doctor exams
Five former Indiana University men's basketball players are appealing a federal judge's ruling that their lawsuit, alleging the university and a former head trainer failed to stop abusive exams by a late team doctor, was filed too late. The plaintiffs argue the limitations period should run from when they recognized the conduct as abuse.
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Ohio State settles with 13 Strauss survivors for $1.8 million
New agreements with 13 survivors brought Ohio State's total to 317 survivors and more than $61 million.
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Heaps pleads guilty to 13 counts and is resentenced to 11 years
After his conviction was overturned, Heaps pleaded guilty to 13 felony counts involving five patients and was again sentenced to 11 years.
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Cosby seeks new trial, calls $40 million punitive award excessive
Cosby's lawyers moved for a new trial in the 1972 assault case, arguing the punitive damages were excessive and that the judge wrongly excluded certain evidence.
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Appeals judges question severity of Combs' four-year sentence
At oral argument, members of a 2nd Circuit panel questioned whether Combs' sentence for prostitution-related convictions was excessive; prosecutors defended it.
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Maryland faces potential $60 billion liability from child sex abuse claims against state
More than 12,000 claims have been filed against Maryland government entities under the Child Victims Act, with some lawmakers estimating exposure could reach $60 billion. Questions remain over which damages cap applies and how the state would pay.
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11th Circuit revives three sex trafficking lawsuits against metro Atlanta hotels
A federal appeals court reinstated three previously dismissed lawsuits alleging Atlanta-area hotels facilitated trafficking of minors, sending them toward trial. The precedential ruling applies across Georgia, Florida and Alabama.
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Trump fires Attorney General Pam Bondi
Trump removed Bondi, whose tenure was dogged by the Epstein files controversy; Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche became acting attorney general.
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Bank of America to pay $72.5 million to Epstein survivors
A federal judge preliminarily approved Bank of America's $72.5 million settlement of claims that it enabled Epstein's sex trafficking finances.
March 2026
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Final terms of reference published for national grooming gangs inquiry
The home secretary accepted Baroness Longfield's changes to the inquiry's remit, including attention to ethnicity and culture and coverage back to 1996, with statutory powers from 13 April 2026.
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BBC ends contract with Radio 2 host Scott Mills amid reports of closed historical police probe
The BBC said presenter Scott Mills is no longer contracted to it, following media reports linking him to a past police investigation into historical sexual offence allegations. Prosecutors found insufficient evidence to bring charges and the case was closed in 2019; Mills did not comment.
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Judge moves Brand trial to October 2026 so all seven charges can be heard together
Mr Justice Bennathan moved the trial from June to 12 October 2026, citing time pressures and juror availability, with all seven charges to be tried together over an estimated two months. Brand denies all the charges.
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Albany diocese strikes $148 million deal with abuse survivors
About three years into its bankruptcy, the Diocese of Albany reached a $148 million settlement with a committee of survivors, its parishes and affiliates.
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Executive Council confirms new YDC settlement fund administrator
The Executive Council unanimously confirmed Gov. Ayotte's choice to run the YDC settlement fund following the 2025 restructuring.
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Woman sues Planet Fitness alleging assault by known problem patron at South Carolina gym
A member alleges in a negligence suit that another patron sexually assaulted her in a West Ashley Planet Fitness and that staff later described him as a known problem. The company had not responded to requests for comment.
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New lawsuit accuses Paramus Catholic and Archdiocese of Newark of ignoring coach's abuse
A former student filed a civil suit alleging a former hockey coach abused him on campus and on school trips, and that the school, the Archdiocese of Newark and the Christian Brothers knew and failed to act. It is one of dozens of suits involving the late coach; the archdiocese declined to comment.
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Santa Fe jury orders Meta to pay New Mexico $375 million in child exploitation case
A jury found Meta willfully violated New Mexico's consumer protection law by misrepresenting platform safety, including the extent of child sexual exploitation, and awarded the state $375 million. Meta said it would appeal.
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Jury finds Cosby sexually assaulted woman in 1972, awards nearly $60 million
A Santa Monica civil jury found Cosby liable for drugging and assaulting a former restaurant worker in 1972, awarding $19.25 million in compensatory damages and $40 million in punitive damages.
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Maryland faces about 12,000 juvenile justice abuse claims with no payout plan
Roughly 12,000 people allege abuse in the state's juvenile justice system, with potential liability in the billions and disputes over which cap applies.
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California AG finds systemic failures at El Monte Union High School District, imposes court-supervised reforms
An 18-month state investigation prompted by reporting on misconduct at Rosemead High found systemic shortfalls in how the district responded to sexual abuse and harassment complaints, including discarded disciplinary records. A settlement requires a compliance coordinator, centralized records and four years of court oversight.
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Judge orders former Ohio State president Gordon Gee to sit for deposition
A federal judge granted plaintiffs' motion to compel former president E. Gordon Gee to be deposed in the Strauss litigation.
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Federal guard at Brooklyn's MDC indicted on sexual abuse charge
Correctional officer James Johnson was charged in a federal indictment with sexually abusing a detainee in 2025 and lying to federal agents. He was released on bail and has not been convicted.
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House committee subpoenas Attorney General Bondi over Epstein files
The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Bondi to testify about the Justice Department's handling and release of the Epstein files.
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External report confirms Columbia failures; OB-GYN chair and ex-dean step down
A 156-page external report described a culture of silence that let Hadden's abuse continue; OB-GYN chair Mary D'Alton stepped down and former dean Lee Goldman is retiring.
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Former students file federal suit alleging Oconto Falls schools ignored staff abuse for years
Three former students sued the Oconto Falls Board of Education in federal court, alleging at least nine staff members groomed or abused at least 14 students between 2005 and 2025 and that the district enabled it. The district says prior allegations were investigated and referred to police; the claims are unproven.
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New Mexico authorities search Epstein's former Zorro Ranch
State authorities searched the ranch Epstein once owned as part of a renewed criminal investigation.
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Police question three women as suspects in Al Fayed enabling investigation
The Met questioned three women under caution over alleged trafficking and facilitating offences linked to Al Fayed; no arrests were made and 154 people had come forward.
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Former student files $13.4M claim against Mercer Island School District over alleged teacher abuse
A former student's tort claim alleges administrators received reports about an English teacher's relationship with her in 2012 but conducted a cursory review and did not contact police until 2024. The district declined to comment, citing pending legal proceedings.
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McDonald's franchisee to pay $80,000 to resolve EEOC harassment suit involving teen worker
An Oklahoma McDonald's franchisee agreed to a consent decree paying $80,000 and adopting anti-harassment policies and training to settle an EEOC suit over harassment of a minor employee. The franchisee denies the allegations.
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Rhode Island AG report details decades of clergy abuse in Diocese of Providence
Attorney General Peter Neronha released a multi-year investigation into clergy abuse and the diocese's handling of it, summarizing 72 clergy deemed credibly accused. The report recommended reforms including extending certain limitations periods.
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New York attorney general investigates Columbia's handling of Hadden
The state attorney general's office opened an investigation into how Columbia handled warnings about Hadden.
February 2026
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L.A. County counsel investigates law firm over possibly fraudulent AB 218 abuse claims
County counsel launched an investigation into DTLA Law Group and others over potentially fraudulent claims, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger voicing support. The firm has denied wrongdoing.
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Bill Clinton questioned by House investigators about Epstein
The former president sat for a deposition in the House Oversight inquiry, saying he did nothing wrong in his association with Epstein.
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Syracuse diocese receives final court approval of $176 million settlement
The bankruptcy court issued a final decree allowing the Diocese of Syracuse to emerge from Chapter 11 after its $176 million survivor settlement.
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Harvard places Martin Nowak on leave amid renewed Epstein investigation
Harvard put the mathematics professor on paid administrative leave as it reopened scrutiny of his Epstein ties after the federal files release.
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Larry Summers to resign from Harvard after Epstein revelations
Summers said he would resign his Harvard professorship following disclosures about his relationship with Epstein.
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New Hanover County school board approves settlement tied to convicted former teacher
The board unanimously approved a settlement, reported at $640,000, with three more former students of a science teacher who pleaded guilty in 2019 to dozens of child exploitation charges. Plaintiffs alleged a principal's failure to act allowed the abuse to continue; an earlier case settled for $5.75 million without admission of wrongdoing.
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Brand pleads not guilty to additional rape and sexual assault charges
At Southwark Crown Court, Brand denied the two charges added in December 2025, bringing the total to seven counts involving six women, all of which he denies.
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Epstein estate agrees to pay up to $35 million to settle suit against his advisers
The estate agreed to resolve a class action alleging Epstein's lawyer Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn aided his trafficking; they denied wrongdoing.
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LAUSD approves up to $250M more in bonds to pay sexual abuse settlements
The LAUSD board authorized up to $250 million in bonds for abuse settlements, its second such authorization in a year, bringing the total to about $750 million. The wave of claims follows a 2019 state law extending the deadline for childhood abuse claims against public entities.
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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office
British police arrested the former prince following revelations in the Epstein files about his conduct as a trade envoy; he was not charged at the time.
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Diocese of Camden agrees to $180 million clergy abuse settlement
The bankrupt Diocese of Camden agreed to a $180 million settlement, including $87.5 million from an earlier 2022 deal, subject to court approval.
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Jewell School District pays $2.35M over claims it ignored complaints about convicted shop teacher
The rural Oregon district settled a federal lawsuit alleging administrators failed to act on multiple complaints about a shop teacher, later convicted of sex crimes, and let him resign quietly and work with younger children elsewhere. The settlement was reached in 2025 but only recently made public.
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Families pursue legal action against Bright Horizons after nursery worker jailed for child abuse
Former Bright Horizons nursery worker Vincent Chan was sentenced to 18 years after admitting dozens of offences including abuse at a now-closed north London nursery. About 50 families have joined legal action accusing the company of ignoring safeguarding concerns; the company says it is reviewing its practices.
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Judge orders former trustee Les Wexner to testify in Strauss case
A federal judge refused to quash a subpoena and ordered Les Wexner, a former Ohio State board chair, to be deposed about what he knew of Strauss.
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Maxwell invokes Fifth Amendment before House committee, seeks clemency
Maxwell declined to answer House Oversight questions, citing her Fifth Amendment rights, while her lawyer sought clemency from Trump.
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Appeals court sets April hearing in Combs appeal
The 2nd Circuit scheduled oral argument for April 2026 in Combs' expedited appeal.
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Files show FBI concluded Epstein did not run trafficking ring for powerful men
Released records showed FBI investigators found evidence Epstein abused young women and girls but not that he trafficked them to other prominent men.
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Uber loses first federal passenger sexual assault trial with $8.5 million verdict
A federal jury in Phoenix found Uber liable on an apparent-agency theory for a driver's alleged assault of a rider and awarded $8.5 million, while rejecting negligence and design-defect claims. Uber said it would appeal.
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Ohio State settles with eight more Strauss survivors
Eight new settlements totaling $800,000 brought Ohio State's total to 304 survivors and more than $60 million.
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Appeals court overturns Heaps conviction and orders retrial
A California appeals court overturned Heaps's 2022 conviction because the trial judge did not share a jury note questioning a juror's English proficiency; prosecutors vowed to retry him.
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Irish abuse survivor describes apology from Pope Leo after private audience
An Irish survivor said Leo listened and apologized during a private meeting at the Vatican.
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DOJ pulls thousands of Epstein files that exposed victim information
The department said it removed thousands of documents and media that may have inadvertently revealed survivors' identities and was fixing redactions.
January 2026
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D.A. asks L.A. County to hold off on early abuse settlement payouts during fraud probe
The district attorney asked the county to delay early payments from the $4 billion settlement for at least six months while investigators examine suspected fake claims. The county agreed to fund a settlement trust but withhold payments pending further review.
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Justice Department releases 3 million pages of Epstein files
The largest release yet included millions of pages, images and videos and new details about the earlier federal investigation and Epstein's contacts.
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City of Sanger pays $5.25 million over former officer's sexual assaults
Sanger settled a claim for $5.25 million brought by a woman assaulted by former officer J. DeShawn Torrence, who was convicted in federal court and is serving multiple life sentences. More claims against the city may follow.
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Rochdale grooming trial collapses over jurors' messaging group
A Rochdale grooming trial collapsed after it emerged that jurors had been communicating in a WhatsApp group.
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Brand appears by video link from US on two new charges and is bailed
Brand appeared by video link at Westminster Magistrates' Court on the additional rape and sexual assault charges and was granted bail to appear at Southwark Crown Court.
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Winnsboro ISD superintendents arrested on charges of failing to report child abuse
The district's former and current superintendents and another employee were arrested on charges including failure to report child abuse with intent to conceal, with affidavits alleging officials covered up two cases involving staff and students. Their counsel indicated they will plead not guilty.
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Judge returns LA County foster-care abuse cases to trial track amid settlement delays
A judge ordered dozens of foster-care abuse lawsuits against Los Angeles County to move toward trial while the county's large juvenile abuse settlement remains in distribution. The court warned that settlement delays do not pause filing deadlines.
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Women held at LA County jail allege sexual abuse by deputies in federal suit
Thirty-eight plaintiffs in a federal case allege widespread sexual misconduct by deputies at the women's jail in Lynwood. The Sheriff's Department says it is investigating the claims.
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Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to $2.46 billion Boy Scouts abuse settlement
The Supreme Court denied review without comment, leaving the Third Circuit ruling and the plan's third-party releases in place. The decision frees about $1.65 billion in escrowed insurer funds, and Scouting America said payments to survivors could now accelerate.
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Judge dismisses survivors' lawsuit over changes to YDC settlement fund
A Merrimack County judge dismissed former residents' suit claiming Gov. Kelly Ayotte weakened the fund. Survivors said they would appeal.
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Trump says he will not pardon Sean Combs
President Trump said he was not planning to pardon Combs after reports that Combs had sought clemency.
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Springfield to pay nearly $15M to settle suits alleging school ignored abuse reports
The city of Springfield agreed to pay close to $15 million to settle two lawsuits alleging a former middle school teacher harassed and assaulted students whose reports to staff were repeatedly dismissed. The school department plans $1 million in staff training on recognizing and reporting grooming.
December 2025
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Contract officer pleads guilty to sexually abusing detainee at Louisiana ICE facility
Former contract detention officer David Courvelle pleaded guilty in federal court to sexual misconduct with a person in federal custody at the Basile, Louisiana, facility. The charge carries up to 15 years in prison.
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DOJ misses deadline, says completing Epstein release may take weeks
The department said it had found more than a million additional potentially relevant documents and needed more time, drawing bipartisan criticism.
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Brand charged with one further count of rape and one of sexual assault involving two more women
The CPS authorised two additional charges, one of rape and one of sexual assault, relating to two further women and alleged offences in 2009. The Met said its investigation remained ongoing; Brand denies wrongdoing.
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Justice Department begins releasing Epstein files under new law
On the law's deadline, the department began posting Epstein investigative files, with heavy redactions and only part of the material released.
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Federal judge lets WWE 'ring boys' abuse lawsuit proceed to discovery
A federal judge in Maryland allowed a lawsuit to move into discovery that alleges WWE and Vince and Linda McMahon knew of and failed to stop sexual abuse of underage ring crew workers decades ago. Linda McMahon's lawyer called the suit baseless.
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Women sue Match Group alleging Hinge and Tinder let convicted Denver doctor keep using apps
Six women allege in Denver District Court that Match Group's apps kept recommending Stephen Matthews, later convicted of multiple sexual assaults, after receiving complaints about him. Match Group said it is committed to improving its safety tools.
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Michigan AG report details abuse by 51 priests in Diocese of Grand Rapids
Attorney General Dana Nessel released a report on the Diocese of Grand Rapids naming 51 priests, part of her statewide clergy abuse investigation.
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Florida attorney general sues Roblox over alleged failure to protect children from predators
Florida's attorney general sued Roblox alleging it facilitates sexual exploitation of minors and misrepresents its safety, in violation of state consumer protection law. Roblox said the suit misrepresents how its platform works.
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New York archdiocese to raise $300 million to settle 1,300 abuse claims
Cardinal Timothy Dolan said the archdiocese would enter mediation and raise more than $300 million through budget cuts, layoffs and property sales to resolve about 1,300 abuse claims.
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Baroness Longfield named chair of national grooming gangs inquiry
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood appointed former children's commissioner Anne Longfield to lead a three-year, £65m national inquiry and published draft terms of reference.
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Federal judge approves New Orleans archdiocese bankruptcy settlement
A federal judge confirmed the Archdiocese of New Orleans' plan to compensate hundreds of abuse survivors, ending a bankruptcy of more than five years.
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YDC settlement fund payouts top $237 million with nearly 1,700 claims pending
The fund had resolved 419 of 2,269 claims for more than $237 million, with 1,697 still pending and potential liability estimated near $2 billion.
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More than 10,000 suits against Juvenile Services loom over Maryland's budget
With a $1.4 billion deficit, lawmakers faced more than 10,000 abuse claims against the Department of Juvenile Services and no settlement plan.
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Federal judge approves Archdiocese of New Orleans bankruptcy plan with abuse fund
A federal judge confirmed a plan ending the archdiocese's long bankruptcy, including a $230 million compensation fund for clergy abuse survivors. Additional money is expected from an insurer and parishes.
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Judge allows release of abandoned Florida Epstein grand jury transcripts
Citing the new transparency law, a federal judge permitted the Justice Department to release transcripts from the 2000s federal grand jury probe in Florida.
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Scouting America urges Supreme Court to reject challenge to its bankruptcy deal
The organization told the justices the petitioners represent a tiny fraction of claimants and that the $1.65 billion insurance-rights sale funding the trust closed years ago and cannot be undone. It argued bankruptcy law bars the relief sought.
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Chicago Board of Education approves $17.5M settlement over former dean's abuse of student
The board approved a $17.5 million settlement with a former student abused by a dean of students who was convicted and sentenced to 22 years; the suit alleged staff saw warning signs and did not act. CPS denied wrongdoing but said it settled to avoid the toll of a trial.
November 2025
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New Hampshire Supreme Court hears arguments over $38 million YDC verdict
The justices heard arguments on the state's liability and whether the $475,000 cap applies to the landmark award.
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L.A. County D.A. opens criminal probe into alleged fraud in $4.8 billion abuse settlements
District Attorney Nathan Hochman's office began investigating attorneys and others suspected of submitting false claims to share in the settlements. The probe followed reporting that some plaintiffs were steered to a law firm and paid to fabricate claims.
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Prosecutors drop charges against last FCI Dublin guard after two hung juries
Federal prosecutors moved to dismiss charges against Smith; nine other former employees, including the warden, were convicted or pleaded guilty.
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Trump signs Epstein Files Transparency Act
After near-unanimous votes in Congress, Trump signed a law requiring the Justice Department to release its Epstein files within 30 days.
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Larry Summers steps back from Harvard teaching as university reviews Epstein ties
Former Harvard president Larry Summers stopped teaching while Harvard investigated his correspondence with Epstein revealed in released emails.
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Danny Masterson asks court to overturn rape convictions over attorney errors
Danny Masterson filed a habeas petition arguing his trial lawyers were ineffective and asking that his convictions and sentence be vacated.
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Bondi orders federal probe of Epstein's ties to Clinton and others at Trump's urging
Attorney General Bondi assigned a federal prosecutor to investigate Epstein's ties to Bill Clinton and other figures Trump named, a move critics said could delay records releases.
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House Democrats release Epstein emails referencing Trump
Oversight Committee Democrats released emails from the Epstein estate referencing Donald Trump; the White House called the release a smear and Trump denied wrongdoing.
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California judge denies Roblox bid to force child exploitation lawsuit into arbitration
A San Mateo County judge rejected Roblox's motion to compel arbitration in a family's suit alleging its child was exploited after contact on Roblox and Discord, keeping the case in open court. Roblox said it would appeal.
October 2025
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Combs transferred to Fort Dix federal prison
Combs was moved to the low-security FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey to serve his sentence.
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Combs seeks expedited appeal of conviction and sentence
Combs' lawyers asked the 2nd Circuit to fast-track his appeal, arguing his sentence improperly relied on acquitted conduct.
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Andrew stripped of prince title and ordered out of Royal Lodge
King Charles moved to remove his brother's remaining titles, including prince, after renewed scrutiny of his ties to Epstein; he became Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
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L.A. County supervisors approve $828 million child sex abuse settlement
Supervisors approved the $828 million payout and said every claim in both settlements would be reviewed. Officials acknowledged the claims system created under AB 218 was vulnerable to fraud.
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Child Victims Act cases resume in Baltimore court after five-month pause
Cases in Baltimore City Circuit Court resumed after a temporary stay.
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Second candidate to chair national grooming gangs inquiry withdraws
Former police officer Jim Gamble withdrew from consideration to chair the national inquiry after Annie Hudson did the same, as several survivors quit the inquiry's liaison panel.
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Former foster parents sue Clearfield County child welfare agency over undisclosed abuse history
A former foster couple filed a federal lawsuit alleging the county agency placed a teen in their home without disclosing his history of abusing other children, leading to harm in the household. The claims are allegations.
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Pope Leo XIV meets survivors' advocacy group at Vatican
Leo held his first meeting with leaders of Ending Clergy Abuse, who pressed for a global zero-tolerance law.
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L.A. County reaches $828 million deal to settle about 400 more abuse claims
Los Angeles County tentatively agreed to an additional $828 million settlement covering roughly 400 more claims of sexual abuse in county youth facilities and foster care. The deal comes on top of the earlier $4 billion accord.
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More plaintiffs say they were recruited to file false claims in L.A. County abuse settlement
Additional plaintiffs told the Times they were recruited and told to invent abuse claims filed as part of the $4 billion settlement. The law firm denies involvement, and genuine survivors voiced fears the allegations would overshadow real cases.
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Guam-based abuse claimants ask Supreme Court to review Boy Scouts settlement
A group of Guam-based claimants petitioned the Supreme Court, arguing the plan's releases for local councils, churches and schools conflict with the Purdue Pharma ruling. The petition kept roughly $1.5 billion in escrow, leaving survivors with about 1.5% recoveries so far.
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Varsity Brands and former owner Bain Capital named in $200 million cheer abuse lawsuit
A Gwinnett County, Georgia, lawsuit alleges Varsity Brands, Bain Capital, USA Cheer and others failed to safeguard young athletes from a cheer coach accused of sexual exploitation, including RICO claims. Varsity rejects the claim that it enabled such conduct.
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L.A. County orders investigation of attorneys after report that plaintiffs were paid to sue
Supervisors unanimously directed county counsel to examine possible wrongdoing by attorneys tied to the abuse lawsuits and set up a tip line. The move followed Times reporting that some plaintiffs were allegedly recruited and paid to file claims, which the law firm denies.
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Supreme Court declines to hear Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal
The Supreme Court turned away Maxwell's argument that Epstein's 2008 non-prosecution agreement barred her prosecution, leaving her conviction intact.
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Sean Combs sentenced to 50 months in prison
Judge Subramanian sentenced Combs to 50 months in prison and a $500,000 fine on the Mann Act convictions.
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Sandusky files appeal alleging new evidence of prosecutorial misconduct
Sandusky, still maintaining his innocence, filed a new petition claiming prosecutors coached witnesses and that a medical condition limited him physically. Prosecutors have contested his repeated appeals.
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Robert Morris pleads guilty to child sex abuse charges
Morris pleaded guilty and received a 10-year sentence with six months in jail, probation and sex offender registration.
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Ringleader of Rochdale grooming gang jailed for 35 years
The leader of the Rochdale gang convicted in June 2025 received a 35-year sentence, with co-defendants also jailed.
September 2025
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Jury deadlocks again in trial of former FCI Dublin officer
A second jury failed to reach a verdict in the case against former officer Darrell Wayne Smith, who denied the allegations.
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Judge rules New Hampshire may change how it settles YDC abuse claims
A Merrimack County judge allowed the state to proceed with its revised settlement process despite survivors' objections. The judge said the Legislature had authority to change the rules.
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Appeals delays leave Boy Scouts abuse survivors waiting on bulk of settlement payouts
Bloomberg Law reported that continuing appeals were holding up full distributions from the survivor trust. Most insurer money remained in escrow pending final resolution of the challenges.
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Federal court approves Rochester diocese settlement with survivors
A federal bankruptcy court approved the Diocese of Rochester's settlement plan with abuse survivors.
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Harrods moves to remove Egyptian Hall busts of Al Fayed
Harrods applied for planning permission to remodel its Egyptian Hall, removing sculptures of its former owner after feedback from survivors.
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House committee posts first batch of DOJ Epstein files
The Oversight Committee publicly released records it received from the Justice Department, though most had already been public.
August 2025
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Syracuse diocese bankruptcy plan approved, awarding survivors $176 million
A bankruptcy judge approved the Diocese of Syracuse's exit plan providing $176 million for abuse survivors.
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House panel subpoenas Epstein estate for documents including 'birthday book'
The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Epstein's estate for records including a 2003 birthday album, contact books and financial documents.
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Justice Department releases transcripts of Maxwell interviews
The department published transcripts and audio of Maxwell's interviews, in which she denied witnessing misconduct by prominent figures.
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Nearly 150 people report allegations against Al Fayed to police
The Metropolitan Police said about 146 people had come forward since its new investigation began and that it was examining people who may have enabled the alleged abuse.
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Two former FCI Dublin officers plead guilty to federal sex abuse charges
The two most recently charged former officers pleaded guilty to sexually abusing incarcerated women.
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House Oversight Committee subpoenas Epstein files and seeks Clinton depositions
The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed the Justice Department for Epstein case files and sought depositions from Bill and Hillary Clinton and former law enforcement officials.
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Ghislaine Maxwell moved to minimum-security prison camp in Texas
The Bureau of Prisons transferred Maxwell from a Florida prison to a lower-security camp in Bryan, Texas, days after her Justice Department interviews.
July 2025
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Church nears global settlement in dozens of California abuse lawsuits
Filings indicated progress on a settlement in principle covering more than 100 California claims against the church.
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Arizona appeals court revives Bisbee abuse lawsuit against church
An appeals court unanimously reversed the dismissal, finding the church may have had a duty to report and that clergy privilege has limits.
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Survivors allege Pope Leo XIV covered up abuse reports in Peru
Survivors from the Chiclayo diocese said their complaints were not properly handled while Prevost was bishop; the diocese and Vatican have said the case was processed correctly.
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Rotherham survivors allege they were also abused by police officers
Five women abused by Rotherham grooming gangs alleged they were also raped or sexually abused by South Yorkshire Police officers; the allegations are under review.
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Maxwell given limited immunity in interviews with deputy attorney general
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewed Maxwell over two days in Tallahassee under a grant of limited immunity.
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More than 100 join Harrods redress scheme as it widens to Fayed's airline
Over 100 people had registered for the Harrods scheme, which was extended to former staff of Al Fayed's private airline and runs until March 2026.
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Judge denies request to unseal Florida Epstein grand jury transcripts
A federal judge in Florida rejected the Justice Department's request to release transcripts from 2005-2007 grand jury proceedings, citing secrecy rules.
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YDC fund administrator departs after new law shifts control to governor and AG
Retired Chief Justice John Broderick left his post as YDC settlement fund administrator after a new law gave the attorney general veto power over awards. He disputed the governor's account that he resigned.
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Jim Jordan deposed under oath in Strauss lawsuit
Rep. Jim Jordan gave his first sworn testimony in the federal suits, maintaining he never saw or heard of abuse; former athletic director Andy Geiger was also deposed.
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Excavation begins at Tuam mother and baby home site
A full forensic excavation began at the former Tuam home, where remains of about 800 children are believed to be buried.
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DOJ and FBI memo says no Epstein client list exists
A Justice Department and FBI review concluded there was no evidence of a client list or blackmail scheme and affirmed Epstein died by suicide, sparking bipartisan backlash.
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New charges against more FCI Dublin officers bring total charged to 10
After federal prosecutors charged two more former officers, women who were held at Dublin spoke about the scale of abuse.
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Combs acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking, convicted on prostitution-related counts
Jurors found Combs not guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking but convicted him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution under the Mann Act.
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Judge denies Combs bail pending sentencing despite partial acquittal
Judge Subramanian ordered Combs to stay jailed until sentencing, citing evidence of violence presented at trial.
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Diocese of Fresno files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The Diocese of Fresno filed for bankruptcy protection to address abuse claims brought under California law.
June 2025
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About 3,880 abuse claims filed in rush to beat Maryland's new caps
Thousands of claims were filed in the weeks before the June 1 cap change, with the Department of Juvenile Services facing the most allegations.
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Jes Staley loses challenge to UK ban over Epstein statements
A UK tribunal upheld the Financial Conduct Authority's finding that Staley misled regulators about his relationship with Epstein, keeping a ban on senior industry roles.
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Supreme Court rejects R. Kelly's appeal of racketeering conviction
The Supreme Court declined to review Kelly's New York racketeering and sex trafficking convictions, leaving his 30-year sentence intact.
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Judge denies R. Kelly's bid for release over claimed prison safety threats
A federal judge in Chicago rejected Kelly's emergency request for release or home confinement, which claimed prison officials were plotting against him.
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Casey audit finds flawed data used to dismiss concerns about grooming gangs
Baroness Casey's national audit found authorities shied away from examining offenders' ethnicity and relied on poor data; the government accepted all of her recommendations.
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Ed Henry accuser settles sex-trafficking suit on eve of trial
The former producer settled her claims against Henry one day before trial; her lawyers said they would appeal the dismissal of Fox News to the Second Circuit.
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Prime minister announces national inquiry into grooming gangs
Keir Starmer said a national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs would be set up, reversing his earlier position, ahead of publication of the Casey audit.
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Rochdale grooming gang found guilty of raping and abusing two girls
A jury convicted members of a Rochdale gang of raping and abusing two girls in the early 2000s following a long-running historical investigation.
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Third Circuit declines to rehear challenge to Boy Scouts Chapter 11 plan
The appeals court refused panel and en banc rehearing of its May ruling upholding the plan. Objecting claimants could next petition the Supreme Court.
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Judge declares mistrial on remaining rape count in Weinstein retrial
The judge declared a mistrial on the third-degree rape charge involving actress Jessica Mann after the jury foreperson refused to continue deliberating.
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Retrial jury convicts Weinstein on one count, acquits on another
A Manhattan jury convicted Weinstein of a first-degree criminal sexual act involving former production assistant Miriam Haley and acquitted him of a charge involving actress Kaja Sokola, continuing to deliberate on a rape count.
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Seven clergy to face discipline over Smyth abuse failures
An independent judge allowed seven of the ten complaints to proceed, while Carey and two others faced no further action.
May 2025
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Brand pleads not guilty at Southwark Crown Court; trial set for June 2026
Brand entered not-guilty pleas to all five charges and a trial expected to last several weeks was scheduled for June 2026.
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Michigan Senate passes bills extending time for abuse survivors to sue
Citing the Nassar and Anderson scandals, the state Senate passed bills extending civil deadlines, opening a one-year lookback window and allowing suits against public universities.
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Cassie Ventura testifies against Combs
Ventura spent several days on the stand describing abuse and coercion during her relationship with Combs.
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Third Circuit upholds Boy Scouts bankruptcy plan, saying it is too late to unwind
The Third Circuit rejected appeals by a small group of claimants and holdout insurers, ruling the plan had been consummated too far to be reversed despite the Supreme Court's 2024 Purdue Pharma decision on third-party releases. The trust can keep paying about 82,000 claimants.
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Opening statements begin in Sean Combs' federal trial
Prosecutors and defense lawyers gave opening statements in Combs' racketeering and sex trafficking trial in Manhattan federal court.
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Allegations resurface that new Pope Leo XIV mishandled abuse cases
After Robert Prevost's election, survivor groups revived claims he failed to act on abuse reports in Chicago and Peru, which his former diocese denied.
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Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian reach $750 million Hadden settlement
A $750 million settlement covering 576 cases pushed total civil payouts related to Hadden above $1 billion.
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Brand makes first court appearance in London and is granted conditional bail
Brand appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court, confirmed his details and was granted conditional bail, with the case sent to Southwark Crown Court. He denies all charges.
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Pentagon report: military sexual assault reports fell 4% in fiscal 2024
The annual report counted 8,195 reports in fiscal 2024, down from 8,515, with the Army posting the largest drop; officials warned staffing cuts could slow progress.
April 2025
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L.A. County supervisors approve record $4 billion juvenile sex abuse settlement
The Board of Supervisors approved the $4 billion payout, described as the largest such settlement in U.S. history. The claims were brought under the state law that revived expired childhood abuse claims.
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SafeSport CEO Ju'Riese Colon departs amid criticism of the center
SafeSport announced that CEO Ju'Riese Colon was no longer leading the organization, with the board chair heading an interim committee. The change followed criticism over backlogs, case closures and the investigator arrest.
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Weinstein's New York sex crimes retrial opens
Opening statements began in Manhattan in Weinstein's retrial on charges involving three women, after the 2020 conviction was overturned.
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Child Victims Act overhaul with lower caps signed into law
The bill reducing damages for future claims became law, with court challenges expected.
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Buffalo diocese reaches $150 million settlement with abuse survivors
The Diocese of Buffalo agreed to a $150 million settlement with survivors in its bankruptcy case.
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Documentary on Strauss scandal set for Tribeca premiere and HBO release
The George Clooney-produced documentary Surviving Ohio State was scheduled to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival before airing on HBO.
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Moore rejects calls to veto Child Victims Act overhaul
The governor declined survivors' calls for a veto as attorneys rushed to file cases before the lower caps took effect.
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Jury awards $1.68 billion to 40 women who accused James Toback of sexual abuse
A Manhattan civil jury found Toback liable and awarded about $1.68 billion in damages to 40 women in the Adult Survivors Act case; he did not participate in the trial.
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New York judge refuses to pause Arthur lawsuit; Warner Bros offers film outtakes
In the New York civil case brought by an Arthur extra, a judge rejected Brand's request to delay proceedings because of the UK criminal case, and Warner Bros Discovery said it held hours of outtake footage. Both defendants deny the claims.
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Maryland lawmakers pass bill lowering damage caps on child sex abuse claims
The General Assembly passed caps of $400,000 for claims against public institutions and $700,000 for private ones, for suits filed after June 1, 2025.
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Prosecutors file superseding indictment adding charges against Combs
A third superseding indictment added sex trafficking and Mann Act counts involving a second alleged victim, bringing the total to five counts.
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Russell Brand charged with rape, oral rape, indecent assault and sexual assault
The CPS authorised charges against Brand of one count of rape, one of oral rape, one of indecent assault and two of sexual assault, involving four women between 1999 and 2005. Brand denied the allegations and said he would defend himself in court.
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L.A. County reaches tentative $4 billion settlement of more than 6,800 child sex abuse claims
Los Angeles County tentatively agreed to pay $4 billion to resolve more than 6,800 claims of childhood sexual abuse, mostly tied to juvenile facilities and foster care. Officials called it the costliest settlement in county history.
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Defrocked former cardinal Theodore McCarrick dies at 94 without facing trial
McCarrick, the highest-ranking U.S. churchman to be dismissed from the priesthood over sexual abuse, died in Missouri at age 94. Both criminal cases against him had ended with findings that he was not competent to stand trial.
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Federal judge dismisses most of Johnny Hunt's defamation claims against SBC and Guidepost
A Tennessee federal judge ruled for the SBC, its Executive Committee and Guidepost on most claims, leaving one claim against former president Bart Barber.
March 2025
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Harrods launches compensation scheme offering up to £385,000
Harrods opened a redress scheme for people alleging abuse by Al Fayed, offering up to £385,000 plus treatment costs; survivors' lawyers criticised the store's control of the process.
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Attorney general's office says proposed abuse-claim changes not clearly unconstitutional
The AG's office advised that the legislature's proposed limits on Child Victims Act damages could likely withstand challenge.
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U.S. Supreme Court declines Steve Wynn's bid to revisit libel standard
The Supreme Court turned away Steve Wynn's appeal in his defamation case against the AP, which had asked the justices to reconsider New York Times v. Sullivan.
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Harrods proposes six-figure settlements to alleged Al Fayed victims
Harrods set out proposed payouts for claimants, with higher awards linked to agreeing to a psychiatric assessment.
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New Hampshire Supreme Court agrees to hear $38 million YDC verdict dispute
The state's highest court accepted the case over whether the jury award should stand or be capped at $475,000.
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Survivors rally as Maryland faces pressure to settle billions in abuse claims
More than 100 people alleging abuse in state agencies rallied in Baltimore, urging state leaders to resolve their claims amid a budget deficit.
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Robert Morris surrenders in Oklahoma, released on bond
Morris was booked, released on $50,000 bond and entered a not guilty plea.
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Justice Department closes SBC abuse investigation without new charges
SBC leaders said the DOJ had concluded its probe of the convention with no charges against SBC entities.
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Judge dismisses Fox News from sexual assault lawsuit against Ed Henry
A federal judge ruled Fox lacked notice of Henry's alleged conduct before 2020 and dismissed the network from the suit, leaving claims against Henry for trial.
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Robert Morris indicted by Oklahoma grand jury on child sex abuse charges
An Osage County grand jury indicted Morris on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child.
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SBC leaders cite mounting legal bills from abuse-related litigation
The Executive Committee reported strained finances driven by legal costs from the abuse investigation and related lawsuits.
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Former SafeSport investigator charged with rape and trafficking from police tenure
Jason Krasley, a former Allentown, Pennsylvania officer hired by SafeSport as an investigator, was charged with rape and sex trafficking offenses tied to his police work, raising questions about the center's hiring. SafeSport had dismissed him in late 2024.
February 2025
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Judge grants final approval of consent decree in FCI Dublin class action
A federal judge approved a two-year consent decree in the class action brought by former Dublin residents, providing monitoring and protections at women's prisons.
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Justice Department's first Epstein files release yields few new revelations
Attorney General Pam Bondi's office released a first batch of Epstein-related records, much of which had already been public.
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Former Archbishop George Carey among clergy facing disciplinary review over Smyth
The National Safeguarding Team sought permission to bring out-of-time disciplinary cases against ten clergy named in the review.
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Eighty more patients sue Columbia and affiliates over Hadden
Another 80 former patients filed suit against Columbia and affiliated institutions over Hadden's abuse.
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Maryland faces about $3 billion exposure from abuse claims under 2023 law
Legislative documents showed roughly 3,500 suits against the state and potential liability of about $3.11 billion. A bill to reinstate a filing deadline was being rewritten.
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Abuse database no longer a priority for SBC leaders
SBC executives said legal and financial hurdles had derailed the planned database of accused ministers.
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Suit accusing Combs and Jay-Z of assaulting a 13-year-old is dismissed
An anonymous plaintiff represented by Buzbee voluntarily dismissed her suit against Combs and Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter, both of whom denied the allegations.
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Federal appeals court upholds R. Kelly's racketeering conviction and 30-year term
The 2nd Circuit affirmed Kelly's New York racketeering and sex trafficking convictions and his 30-year sentence.
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General Synod repents of safeguarding failures after Makin Review
The Synod approved a motion acknowledging failures and committing to strengthen safeguarding practice.
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Report details 17 cases of abuse by IHOPKC founder Mike Bickle
An investigative report found Bickle abused 17 women and girls and that staff protected him.
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Maryland lawmakers weigh limiting state liability under Child Victims Act
Senate leaders said they would consider changes to reduce the state's exposure after the court upheld the law.
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Maryland Supreme Court upholds Child Victims Act in 4-3 ruling
The court held the 2017 limit was an ordinary statute of limitations the Legislature could repeal, allowing revived claims to proceed.
January 2025
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Philadelphia congregation member sentenced in grand jury abuse case
David Balosa received two to four years in prison after a jury convicted him of assaulting a child in 1998.
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Redress scheme compensates two men over abuse attributed to Pell
Australia's National Redress Scheme, created after the royal commission, granted compensation to two men who said Pell abused them in Ballarat in the 1970s; the scheme is not a court finding.
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BBC review finds staff felt unable to complain about Brand; corporation apologises
A BBC review of Brand's 2006-2008 tenure at Radio 2 and 6 Music examined eight complaints, found the only formal one at the time was handled ineffectively and that compliance checks failed, and concluded staff felt unable to speak up. The BBC apologised to those affected.
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Former YDC supervisor Bradley Asbury sentenced to at least 20 years
A judge sentenced Asbury to at least 20 years in prison for his role in the 1998 assault of a resident. Separately, former worker Stanley Watson was convicted that month.
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Legislators warned of enormous liability from thousands of abuse suits against the state
Analysts told lawmakers that about 3,500 suits had been filed against state agencies, mainly the Department of Juvenile Services, with potential costs in the billions.
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Pope Francis dissolves Peru's Sodalitium movement
The Vatican moved to suppress the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae after the investigation documented widespread abuses.
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UK government announces local inquiries and national audit on grooming gangs
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a rapid national audit led by Baroness Casey and funding for local inquiries, after weeks of political pressure over grooming gangs.
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Government pledges to introduce mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse
The government said it would legislate for mandatory reporting and act on other IICSA recommendations amid renewed political pressure over child sexual abuse.
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Police watchdog oversees probe into Met's handling of 2008 Al Fayed complaints
The Independent Office for Police Conduct began overseeing an investigation into how the Metropolitan Police dealt with complaints against Al Fayed in 2008.
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Court allows disputed YDC verdict to go to New Hampshire Supreme Court
A Superior Court judge approved sending the dispute over the $38 million verdict and the state's damages cap to the state Supreme Court.
December 2024
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Michigan AG report names 56 clergy in Diocese of Lansing
The fourth report in Michigan's statewide inquiry identified 56 clergy and religious accused of abuse in the Diocese of Lansing.
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U.S. agrees to pay nearly $116 million to settle FCI Dublin abuse lawsuits
The federal government agreed to pay about $116 million to 103 women who said they were sexually abused at Dublin.
November 2024
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Judge denies Sean Combs bail for a third time
Judge Arun Subramanian rejected Combs' $50 million bail package, citing concerns about witness tampering.
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Former YDC staffer Bradley Asbury convicted as accomplice in 1998 rape
A jury convicted former YDC house leader Bradley Asbury on two counts of accomplice to aggravated felonious sexual assault. He became the first former staffer convicted in the scandal.
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Plaintiff appeals cap on $38 million YDC verdict to New Hampshire Supreme Court
The plaintiff in the landmark YDC verdict asked the state Supreme Court to overturn a ruling capping his award at $475,000.
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Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns over Smyth case
Welby resigned, saying he took personal responsibility for failures identified by the Makin Review.
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Carol Folt, hired after Tyndall scandal, to retire as USC president
Folt announced her retirement, with her tenure credited with addressing the Tyndall-era scandals but criticized over other campus issues.
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Makin Review finds Church of England covered up John Smyth's abuse
The independent review concluded church officials knew of Smyth's abuse for decades and failed to report it, including after Archbishop Justin Welby was informed in 2013.
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Met passes evidence file on Brand to prosecutors for charging decision
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed it had received a file of evidence from the Metropolitan Police, which had interviewed Brand three times, and was considering whether to bring charges. Brand denied the allegations.
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Gateway Church removes elders after investigation into Morris case
Following a law firm investigation, Gateway dismissed several elders who knew of the accusations.
October 2024
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Harrods says it is settling more than 250 claims
Harrods said it was in the process of settling over 250 claims from people alleging abuse by its former owner and was reviewing whether any current staff were involved.
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Supreme Court declines to hear R. Kelly's appeal of Chicago convictions
The U.S. Supreme Court turned away Kelly's challenge to his child pornography and enticement convictions, which argued the charges were time-barred.
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Attorney says 120 people plan to sue Combs alleging sexual misconduct
Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee said 120 people had come forward with allegations against Combs and that dozens of suits would follow. Combs denied the claims.
September 2024
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Rockville Centre diocese agrees to pay $323 million to abuse survivors
The Diocese of Rockville Centre reached a $323 million deal with survivors, among the largest Catholic bankruptcy settlements.
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Pope expels a bishop and nine others from Sodalitium over abuses
Francis expelled ten members, including a retired archbishop, citing physical and sadistic abuse and abuse of power.
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Wynn Resorts agrees to $70 million settlement of investor class action
Wynn Resorts agreed to pay $70 million to settle a securities class action alleging it misled investors about the misconduct allegations against its founder, closing a major remaining legal chapter.
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Dozens of women accuse Al Fayed; Harrods apologises
Lawyers said 37 women had made allegations against Al Fayed, who died in 2023, and the store's current owners apologised for failing employees.
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BBC investigation alleges Mohamed Al Fayed raped and assaulted Harrods staff
A BBC documentary and podcast reported allegations from former female employees that the late Harrods owner sexually assaulted or raped them, and that the company failed to intervene.
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Sean Combs arrested and indicted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan unsealed an indictment charging Combs with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and Mann Act transportation; he pleaded not guilty and was denied bail.
-
Appeals court upholds Ghislaine Maxwell's conviction
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Maxwell's argument that Epstein's 2008 non-prosecution agreement shielded her from prosecution.
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Huw Edwards given suspended six-month sentence
Edwards received a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years and was ordered to attend a sex offender treatment programme.
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Weinstein indicted on additional sex crime charges ahead of New York retrial
A Manhattan grand jury indicted Weinstein on a new criminal sexual act charge involving a third woman, to be tried alongside the retried counts.
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Nevada Supreme Court ends Steve Wynn's defamation suit against the AP
Nevada's high court upheld dismissal of Steve Wynn's defamation lawsuit over an Associated Press report on police complaints against him, finding the reporting protected.
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UK prosecutors drop indecent assault case against Weinstein
The Crown Prosecution Service discontinued the London indecent assault charges, saying there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.
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Mistrial declared after jury deadlocks in first YDC criminal case
A judge declared a mistrial after jurors could not reach a verdict in the case against former youth center worker Victor Malavet.
August 2024
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First criminal trial in YDC abuse scandal begins
Former youth center worker Victor Malavet went on trial on charges of sexually assaulting a teenage resident in the early 2000s, the first criminal trial arising from the scandal. He denied the charges.
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Vatican expels Sodalitium founder Figari
Following the investigation, the Vatican expelled Figari from the movement over abuses including sexual abuse.
July 2024
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Huw Edwards pleads guilty to indecent image charges
Edwards pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court to three charges of making indecent images of children; the BBC said it would seek to recover pay from him.
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Former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards charged with making indecent images of children
Huw Edwards, who had resigned from the BBC in April 2024, was charged with three counts of making indecent images of children.
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YDC settlement fund claims surpass 500
More than 500 claims had been filed with the YDC settlement fund after eligibility expanded, with many more expected before the deadline.
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$104 million awarded to Mount Cashel survivors and victims of N.L. priests
About $104 million from the Archdiocese of St. John's insolvency process was allocated to people abused at Mount Cashel and by Newfoundland priests.
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Second Kanakuk abuse survivor sues camp alleging fraudulent concealment
Another man abused by Pete Newman sued Kanakuk, current and former leaders and its insurer, alleging they concealed knowledge of Newman's behavior. Kanakuk maintained Newman was a rogue employee.
June 2024
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Gateway Church founder Robert Morris resigns over child abuse allegation
Morris stepped down days after a woman publicly said he abused her beginning in 1982 when she was a child.
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Diocese of San Diego files for bankruptcy for second time
Facing about 450 new abuse claims, the Diocese of San Diego filed for Chapter 11 protection again.
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Banijay UK investigation finds concerns about Brand on Endemol shows were not escalated
An investigation by law firm Lewis Silkin found informal concerns about Brand's conduct on Endemol-produced Channel 4 shows reached senior staff but were not escalated or adequately addressed, and that Endemol lacked clear escalation routes and conduct training.
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New Hampshire expands YDC fund eligibility and raises settlement caps
The state broadened the types of abuse eligible for YDC fund payments and raised caps in a bid to steer victims away from lawsuits. The changes followed low early participation in the fund.
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Future of SBC abuse reform handed to denominational committee
At the Indianapolis meeting the task force concluded its work, leaving reforms to the Executive Committee.
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Howard University revokes Combs' honorary degree and cuts ties
Howard's trustees rescinded Combs' 2014 honorary doctorate, returned his donation and ended a scholarship agreement after the hotel video.
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Former elder convicted of abusing three children in Lancaster County
A jury convicted Norman Aviles-Garriga on all 12 counts in a case brought from the grand jury investigation.
May 2024
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Combs apologizes after video shows him assaulting Cassie in 2016
After CNN aired 2016 hotel surveillance footage showing Combs attacking Ventura, he posted a video apology calling his actions inexcusable.
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Boy Scouts of America announces name change to Scouting America
The organization announced it would rebrand as Scouting America in 2025, a change that followed years of declining membership and the abuse-driven bankruptcy.
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Maryland Supreme Court agrees to decide Child Victims Act's constitutionality
The state's highest court took up the challenge to the law that allowed decades-old abuse claims.
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Jurors dispute state's bid to cap $38 million YDC verdict at $475,000
Jurors said the state misread their verdict after it argued a $475,000 statutory cap applied because the jury found a single incident. The cap dispute became the central fight over the award.
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Jury finds New Hampshire liable for youth center abuse, awards $38 million
A jury found the state liable in the landmark first YDC civil trial and awarded the plaintiff $38 million. The state quickly signaled it would seek to limit the payment.
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Louisiana probe of New Orleans clergy abuse expands to church leaders
Louisiana State Police executed a search warrant at the Archdiocese of New Orleans as the investigation widened to senior officials suspected of shielding abusers.
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Dan Schneider sues 'Quiet on Set' producers for defamation
Schneider sued Warner Bros. Discovery, Sony and the docuseries producers, alleging the series falsely implied he sexually abused children.
April 2024
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Appeals court upholds R. Kelly's 20-year Chicago sentence
The 7th Circuit rejected Kelly's argument that the statute of limitations barred his prosecution and affirmed his Chicago convictions and sentence.
-
New York's highest court overturns Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction
The New York Court of Appeals ruled 4-3 that the trial judge improperly allowed testimony about uncharged allegations, vacating Weinstein's conviction and ordering a new trial.
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Justice Department agrees to $138.7 million settlement over FBI's Nassar failures
The Justice Department agreed to pay $138.7 million to resolve claims from 139 people who said the FBI's failure to act on 2015 reports allowed Nassar's abuse to continue.
-
Bureau of Prisons to close FCI Dublin after sexual abuse scandal
The BOP announced it would shut the women's prison and transfer its incarcerated population to other facilities.
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First civil trial over abuse at New Hampshire youth center opens
The first of more than 1,100 lawsuits over abuse at the Youth Development Center went to trial in Brentwood. The former resident who brought the case alleged repeated abuse by staff in the 1990s.
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SafeSport announces operational changes after congressional criticism
Following a Senate hearing and a commission finding that it had lost athletes' trust, SafeSport unveiled 10 changes including a dedicated team for cases involving minors and more time for claimants to respond to evidence.
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Diocese of Sacramento files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The Diocese of Sacramento filed for bankruptcy protection, citing more than 250 abuse claims under California's lookback window.
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Montgomery County judge finds Child Victims Act unconstitutional
A second circuit judge ruled the law violated the Maryland Declaration of Rights, creating conflicting rulings for the state's top court to resolve.
March 2024
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Federal agents raid Sean Combs' homes in Los Angeles and Miami
Homeland Security Investigations agents searched Combs' properties as part of a federal sex trafficking investigation; his lawyer called it a witch hunt.
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Channel 4 review finds 2009 complaint against Brand was not escalated; CEO apologises
Channel 4's internal review found no evidence staff knew of the Dispatches allegations beforehand, but chief executive Alex Mahon apologised to a former employee whose serious 2009 complaint about Brand was neither escalated nor properly investigated.
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Former Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider apologizes after 'Quiet on Set' backlash
Schneider released a video apologizing for some workplace behavior depicted in the series while not admitting to sexual misconduct.
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Judge will appoint special master to oversee FCI Dublin
A federal judge said she would appoint a special master to oversee the prison, an unprecedented step for a federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
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FBI agents search FCI Dublin amid ongoing abuse investigation
FBI agents searched the prison and seized devices and records, as the facility faced dozens of lawsuits and leadership was removed.
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Drake Bell to reveal childhood abuse by Nickelodeon dialogue coach in 'Quiet on Set'
Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell said he would publicly identify himself as the victim of dialogue coach Brian Peck, convicted in 2004, in the docuseries examining alleged toxic conditions on Nickelodeon sets.
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Prince George's judge rules Child Victims Act constitutional
A circuit judge upheld the law against a constitutional challenge brought by the Archdiocese of Washington.
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Strauss plaintiffs say case could head to trial as judge encourages mediation
At a status conference, attorneys for remaining plaintiffs said the case could go to trial in 2025 while the judge pushed for mediation.
February 2024
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Utah Legislature expands clergy ability to report child abuse
Utah lawmakers passed a bill shielding clergy from liability when they report abuse learned in confession.
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Producer sues Combs alleging sexual harassment and assault
Producer Rodney 'Lil Rod' Jones, who worked on Combs' 2023 album, filed suit alleging sexual harassment, assault and illegal activity. Combs' lawyers denied the claims.
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Supreme Court declines to pause Boy Scouts bankruptcy plan during appeals
The Supreme Court, without noted dissent, denied a request by a group of abuse claimants to stay the Boy Scouts plan while their challenge proceeded in the Third Circuit.
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SBC abuse task force plans new nonprofit to run database and reforms
The implementation task force proposed spinning off an independent nonprofit to oversee the accused-minister database.
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Les Moonves to pay Los Angeles ethics fine over interference in police probe
Les Moonves agreed to pay $11,250 to resolve a Los Angeles Ethics Commission complaint that he induced a retired LAPD captain to share confidential details of a 2017 sexual assault report against him.
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Bickle accused of abusing a 14-year-old before IHOPKC's founding
A new allegation involving a minor in the 1980s emerged as IHOPKC released investigation findings.
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Criminal case against Tyndall formally dismissed after his death
A judge dismissed the criminal case against Tyndall following his death, ending the prosecution without a verdict.
January 2024
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Review finds police and council left Rochdale children at mercy of gangs
An independent review commissioned by Mayor Andy Burnham found Greater Manchester Police and Rochdale council failed to protect girls in the 2000s and identified 96 men still thought to pose a risk.
-
Hollywood Commission finds culture shift but weak accountability seven years after Weinstein
A new Hollywood Commission survey found workers more aware of harassment and reporting options but still skeptical that powerful offenders face consequences.
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Wisconsin judge suspends criminal case against McCarrick, finding him unfit for trial
A Walworth County judge suspended McCarrick's sexual assault case after ruling he was mentally incompetent to stand trial and unlikely to regain competency, mirroring the earlier Massachusetts outcome.
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Michigan attorney general releases second report on clergy abuse
Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the second in a series of diocese-by-diocese reports from her statewide investigation of clergy abuse.
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Court documents naming Epstein associates unsealed
A federal judge's order led to the release of hundreds of pages from Giuffre's defamation case against Maxwell naming people connected to Epstein; being named did not imply wrongdoing.
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Medical examiner attributes Tyndall's death to natural causes
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reported that Tyndall died of cardiovascular disease.
December 2023
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Southern Baptists settle abuse lawsuit tied to Paul Pressler
SBC entities reached a settlement in a long-running Texas lawsuit alleging abuse by former judge and SBC leader Paul Pressler, who denied the claims.
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Bobby Kotick to leave Activision Blizzard after Microsoft takeover
Microsoft confirmed CEO Bobby Kotick would depart on Dec. 29, 2023, following its acquisition of the company.
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Brand questioned again by London police over six further alleged offences
UK media reported that Brand was interviewed a second time by Metropolitan Police officers, this time about six more alleged sexual offences. He continued to deny all wrongdoing.
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MSU trustees vote to release Nassar documents to the attorney general
Michigan State's board voted to waive privilege and release thousands of Nassar-related documents to the attorney general's office after years of pressure from survivors.
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Activision Blizzard to pay $54 million to settle California civil rights lawsuit
The company agreed to pay $54 million to resolve the state's lawsuit, mostly over pay and promotion claims; the settlement stated no court or independent investigation had substantiated claims of systemic sexual harassment.
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IHOPKC cuts ties with Mike Bickle
IHOPKC announced its permanent separation from its founder, citing the level of inappropriate behavior uncovered.
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Mike Bickle admits unspecified past moral failures
Bickle acknowledged inappropriate behavior years earlier but did not address the specific abuse allegations.
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New competency exam leaves McCarrick's Wisconsin sexual assault case in doubt
A state psychologist's evaluation of McCarrick, charged in Walworth County, Wisconsin, with a 1977 sexual assault at a lake resort, raised doubts about whether the case could proceed to trial.
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Recordings show how church handled abuse claims against former bishop
AP reported recordings in which church officials discouraged a bishop from testifying and offered a confidential settlement in a case involving a former bishop.
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Former FCI Dublin officer John Bellhouse sentenced to over five years
Bellhouse, convicted by a jury in June of sexually abusing two incarcerated women, was sentenced to five years and three months.
November 2023
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Combs steps down as Revolt chairman amid abuse lawsuits
Combs stepped aside as chairman of Revolt Media & TV as civil suits accusing him of sexual abuse mounted.
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Two more women sue Sean Combs alleging sexual abuse
Two additional women filed suits accusing Combs of sexual assault in the early 1990s, just before New York's Adult Survivors Act window closed. Combs denied the claims.
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Former Mount Cashel Christian Brother Edward English arrested in Vancouver
Vancouver police arrested Edward English, previously convicted over Mount Cashel abuse, on new allegations stemming from his time at a Vancouver school.
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Wave of celebrity abuse lawsuits filed before Adult Survivors Act window closes
Lawsuits against entertainment figures including Axl Rose and Jamie Foxx were filed as New York's one-year lookback window expired; the defendants denied the claims.
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Brand reportedly interviewed under caution by police over three non-recent sexual offences
The Metropolitan Police said a man in his 40s, reported to be Brand, was interviewed under caution about three alleged non-recent sexual offences. He was not arrested.
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Combs and Cassie settle her lawsuit one day after filing
Combs and Ventura announced a confidential settlement a day after her suit was filed; Combs continued to deny wrongdoing.
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Cassie Ventura sues Sean Combs alleging rape and years of abuse
Singer Cassie Ventura, Combs' former girlfriend and Bad Boy artist, filed a federal suit accusing him of rape, physical abuse and sex trafficking over about a decade. Combs denied the allegations.
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Former FCI Dublin officer sentenced to eight years as investigation continues
A former correctional officer received an eight-year sentence for sexually abusing women at Dublin, one of several staff convicted.
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BBC says two more people have come forward with complaints about Brand
The BBC told MPs its review had received two further complaints about Brand's behaviour during his time at the corporation, and that the information had been passed to police.
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Columbia announces $100 million fund and notification of 6,500 Hadden patients
Columbia said it would create a $100 million survivors fund, notify about 6,500 former patients, and commission an external investigation.
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Court dismisses Bisbee abuse lawsuit against church citing clergy-penitent privilege
An Arizona judge dismissed the lawsuit, finding bishops had no duty to report information learned in confession.
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IHOPKC addresses investigation into abuse allegations against founder Mike Bickle
IHOPKC discussed its third-party investigation after allegations of clergy sexual abuse against Bickle surfaced.
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Film extra sues Brand and Warner Bros in New York over alleged assault on Arthur set
An anonymous extra filed suit in New York State Supreme Court alleging Brand exposed himself and sexually assaulted her in a bathroom during the 2010 filming of Arthur; Warner Bros and production companies were also named as defendants. The defendants deny the allegations.
October 2023
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Nine months in, YDC settlement fund has resolved 29 claims for $13.4 million
The state's YDC settlement fund had resolved 29 claims for about $13.4 million, with roughly 148 pending. Many victims continued to pursue lawsuits instead.
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Facing more lawsuits, Ohio State denies covering up Strauss abuse
With five lawsuits from more than 230 men pending, Ohio State denied a cover-up and argued the claims were time-barred.
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Columbia apologizes as it confronts revelations about Hadden
Columbia leadership issued an apology to Hadden's victims amid pressure from students, faculty and survivors following ProPublica's reporting.
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Former Ohio State wrestlers oppose Jim Jordan's bid for House speaker
Former wrestlers said Jordan was unfit to be speaker because of what they allege he knew about Strauss; Jordan denies the claims.
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George Tyndall found dead at home while awaiting trial
Tyndall, 76, was found dead at his Los Angeles home before his criminal trial, leaving the charges unresolved.
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Julia Ormond sues Weinstein, accusing CAA, Disney and Miramax of enabling him
Actress Julia Ormond filed a lawsuit under New York's Adult Survivors Act alleging Weinstein assaulted her in 1995 and that her agency CAA, Disney and Miramax failed to protect her.
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Hadden faces hundreds of new abuse claims
USA Today reported that hundreds of additional former patients had brought new abuse claims involving Hadden and Columbia.
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Abuse suits under Maryland's new law, including against juvenile justice system, begin to stack up
As the law took effect Oct. 1, lawsuits were filed against the state's juvenile justice system, schools and the Catholic Church.
September 2023
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Archdiocese of Baltimore files for bankruptcy ahead of expected lawsuits
The Archdiocese of Baltimore filed for Chapter 11 two days before Maryland's Child Victims Act took effect.
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JPMorgan settles U.S. Virgin Islands Epstein suit for $75 million
JPMorgan agreed to pay $75 million to settle the territory's lawsuit, with funds earmarked in part for anti-trafficking efforts.
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Metropolitan Police opens investigation into several non-recent sexual offence allegations
The Met confirmed it had received a number of allegations of non-recent sexual offences in London and elsewhere following the media investigation and had launched an inquiry. No arrests had been made and Brand denied the allegations.
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Channel 4 investigating Brand's time at the channel; says no evidence so far of complaints reaching management
Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon said the broadcaster's internal investigation had so far found no evidence that alleged incidents were reported to management at the time, as Channel 4 and the BBC pulled Brand's content from their platforms.
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YouTube suspends Russell Brand's channel from earning ad revenue
YouTube suspended monetisation on Brand's channel, which had millions of subscribers, citing its creator responsibility policy after the allegations surfaced. Brand continued to deny wrongdoing.
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BBC launches review of Brand's time at the corporation and removes some of his content
The BBC announced a review of complaints about Brand's conduct while he presented on Radio 2 and 6 Music between 2006 and 2008, and removed some of his programmes from iPlayer and BBC Sounds.
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Scotland Yard receives report of alleged 2003 sexual assault in Soho after Brand reporting
The Metropolitan Police said it received a report of a sexual assault allegedly committed in Soho in 2003, following the Times and Dispatches investigation, and urged other potential victims to come forward. Channel 4 had also opened an internal investigation and removed Brand's content from its streaming service.
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Banijay UK opens urgent internal investigation into Brand's conduct on Endemol shows
Banijay UK, which owns Endemol, the producer of Big Brother's Big Mouth and other shows Brand hosted, announced an urgent internal investigation into the allegations of misconduct.
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Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches report rape and sexual assault allegations against Russell Brand
A joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches published allegations from four women of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, during Brand's period as a star of BBC and Channel 4 programming. Brand denied the allegations, saying his relationships were consensual.
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ProPublica: Columbia ignored warnings and protected Hadden for two decades
A ProPublica and New York Magazine investigation detailed how Columbia failed to act on complaints and let Hadden return to work after his 2012 arrest.
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Wynn Resorts settles suit by salon workers over failure to act on harassment
Wynn Resorts reached a settlement with nine women who worked in its Las Vegas salon and alleged the company ignored complaints about Steve Wynn's conduct.
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Danny Masterson sentenced to 30 years to life in prison
A Los Angeles judge sentenced Danny Masterson to 30 years to life for two rape convictions after victims gave impact statements in court.
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Congressional commission draft calls SafeSport 'in potential crisis'
A draft report from the commission reviewing the U.S. Olympic system said feedback about the U.S. Center for SafeSport depicted an agency in potential crisis.
August 2023
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Massachusetts judge dismisses McCarrick sex abuse case after finding him not competent for trial
A Dedham judge dismissed the criminal case against McCarrick, 93, after a prosecution expert agreed with the defense that dementia left him unable to assist in his own defense.
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Tyndall pleads not guilty to 27 felony counts ahead of trial
Tyndall entered not-guilty pleas to 18 counts of sexual penetration and nine counts of sexual battery remaining in the case.
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Judge orders R. Kelly's music royalties paid to victims
A federal judge ordered more than $500,000 in Kelly's royalties held by Universal Music Group turned over toward restitution for his victims.
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Archdiocese of San Francisco files for bankruptcy
The Archdiocese of San Francisco filed for Chapter 11 protection to pursue a global settlement of more than 500 abuse claims.
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Five men convicted of historical child sex offences in Rochdale
Five men were convicted of historical sexual offences against girls in Rochdale under Greater Manchester Police's Operation Lytton.
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Brian Houston acquitted of concealing father's child sex abuse
A Sydney magistrate found Houston not guilty, ruling he had a reasonable excuse for not reporting.
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Tyndall ordered to stand trial on sexual assault charges
After a preliminary hearing, a judge ruled there was sufficient evidence for Tyndall to stand trial on charges involving 16 patients.
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UK Charity Commission closes nine-year inquiry into Watch Tower safeguarding
The regulator said Watch Tower's legal challenges constrained its inquiry and found it had not been as transparent as it should have been.
July 2023
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Nassar survivors sue Michigan State over withheld documents
Survivors sued MSU alleging trustees held secret votes on whether to release about 6,000 Nassar-related documents, in violation of open meetings and records laws.
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Biden executive order shifts serious military crimes to independent prosecutors
An executive order implemented the transfer of prosecution decisions for sexual assault and other serious crimes from commanders to special trial counsel offices due by year's end.
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AP: SafeSport center overwhelmed six years after its creation
An AP examination found SafeSport carried about 1,000 open cases with roughly 60 investigators, and that fewer than 15% of cases since 2017 reached formal resolution. Its leaders said funding was inadequate.
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Kevin Spacey acquitted on all sexual offense charges in London
A Southwark Crown Court jury found Kevin Spacey not guilty of nine sexual offense charges brought by four men dating to 2001-2013.
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Hadden sentenced to 20 years in federal prison
A federal judge sentenced Hadden to 20 years in prison for his conviction on enticement charges.
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Steve Wynn agrees to pay $10 million to settle Nevada gaming complaint
Steve Wynn agreed to a $10 million fine and to permanently exit the Nevada gaming industry to resolve a 2019 regulatory complaint, without admitting the allegations.
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Vatican investigators begin audit of Peru's Sodalitium
Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Msgr. Jordi Bertomeu opened a Vatican inquiry into abuse and financial allegations in Lima.
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Pennsylvania authorities charge five more in Jehovah's Witnesses abuse probe
The attorney general's office filed charges against five additional current or former members.
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Nassar stabbed by another inmate in federal prison
Nassar was stabbed multiple times by another inmate at a federal prison in Florida and was hospitalized in stable condition.
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Judge denies Sandusky's latest request for a new trial
A judge rejected Sandusky's petition, which argued new evidence undermined testimony based on recovered memories.
June 2023
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Fox pays $12 million to settle ex-producer's suit alleging sexism on Tucker Carlson show
Fox settled for $12 million a former producer's suits alleging a misogynistic, hostile workplace on Tucker Carlson's show and coercion in the Dominion case.
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Inspector general finds misconduct and failures at jail where Epstein died
The Justice Department's inspector general found negligence, misconduct and job failures by Bureau of Prisons staff enabled Epstein's suicide, but no evidence of foul play.
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Supreme Court declines Ohio State appeal, letting Strauss suits proceed
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Ohio State's appeal, leaving in place the ruling that allowed the lawsuits to go forward.
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Nearly 600 former detainees have sued L.A. County; county warns of up to $3 billion exposure
Lawsuits on behalf of nearly 600 people allege sexual abuse in county juvenile facilities between 1972 and 2022. The county's chief executive estimated potential payouts of $1.6 billion to $3 billion across related claims.
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Nine more women sue Cosby in Nevada under new law lifting time limits
Nine women filed a federal lawsuit in Las Vegas alleging Cosby drugged and assaulted them decades ago, after Nevada eliminated the statute of limitations for such civil claims. Cosby's spokesman denied the allegations.
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New complaint adds dozens more abuse allegations at L.A. County juvenile halls
A new complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court alleges sexual abuse and other misconduct in county juvenile facilities from the 1970s through 2023. The filing firm said it represents more than 500 people.
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JPMorgan Chase agrees to $290 million settlement with Epstein survivors
JPMorgan reached a $290 million settlement with a class of Epstein survivors who said the bank enabled his abuse, without admitting liability.
May 2023
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Danny Masterson convicted of two counts of rape at retrial
A Los Angeles jury convicted Danny Masterson of raping two women and deadlocked on a third count. He was taken into custody.
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Inquiry chair and survivors dismayed by government response
The government accepted the need for mandatory reporting and a redress scheme in principle, but Alexis Jay and survivors criticised the response as falling short.
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Illinois attorney general finds 451 Catholic clergy abused nearly 2,000 children
A nearly five-year investigation by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul identified 451 Catholic clergy and lay employees who abused 1,997 children in the state's six dioceses since 1950, far more than the church had publicly acknowledged.
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Deutsche Bank agrees to pay $75 million to Epstein survivors
Deutsche Bank agreed to a $75 million settlement of a class action alleging it benefited from Epstein's sex trafficking, without admitting wrongdoing.
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Diocese of Oakland files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The Diocese of Oakland, facing about 330 abuse lawsuits under California's window, filed for bankruptcy protection.
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Dutch prosecutors to try Jehovah's Witness member on decades-old abuse charges
Prosecutors charged a member over alleged abuse in the 1990s, following a 2018 raid on church offices and a legal fight over internal records.
April 2023
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California jury awards $2.3 billion in abuse case that had named the church
A Riverside County, California jury awarded $2.28 billion against an abuser; the church had earlier settled its part of the suit for $1 million while denying wrongdoing.
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Heaps sentenced to 11 years in prison
A judge sentenced Heaps to 11 years in state prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender.
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Boy Scouts bankruptcy plan takes effect, creating survivor settlement trust
The Boy Scouts emerged from Chapter 11 as its reorganization plan became effective, transferring assets and insurance rights to the Scouting Settlement Trust that pays abuse claims. Appeals by objectors remained pending.
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More charges put focus on Jehovah's Witnesses' handling of abuse
New grand jury charges in Pennsylvania renewed scrutiny of elders' internal handling of abuse reports.
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Jury selection begins in Danny Masterson rape retrial
Danny Masterson's retrial on three rape counts began in Los Angeles, with the judge again permitting limited testimony about the Church of Scientology.
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Arizona appeals court upholds clergy privilege in child abuse case
An appeals court ruled church clergy could invoke clergy-penitent privilege in litigation over the Bisbee abuse case.
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Gov. Wes Moore signs Child Victims Act, ending time limit on abuse lawsuits
Moore signed the law removing the statute of limitations for civil child sexual abuse claims. It set per-claim damage caps of $890,000 against public entities and $1.5 million against private ones.
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Maryland attorney general report details abuse of more than 600 children in Archdiocese of Baltimore
A redacted report from the Maryland attorney general accused more than 150 clergy and others affiliated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore of abusing over 600 children across eight decades and documented a long-running cover-up by church officials.
March 2023
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Federal district judge upholds Boy Scouts' $2.46 billion bankruptcy settlement
U.S. District Judge Richard Andrews affirmed the bankruptcy court's confirmation of the Boy Scouts plan, finding it a good-faith effort to resolve more than 80,000 abuse claims. Some survivors and insurers continued to appeal.
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Pope makes revised Vos estis abuse law permanent
An updated version of the 2019 law took permanent effect and extended accountability to lay leaders of church associations.
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Former FCI Dublin warden sentenced to nearly six years
Garcia was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for sexually abusing incarcerated women.
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Former SBC president Johnny Hunt sues denomination and Guidepost for defamation
Hunt, who was accused in the Guidepost report, filed suit seeking damages and disputing the report's findings.
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Maryland Senate overwhelmingly passes Child Victims Act
The Senate approved the bill eliminating the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims, including against public institutions.
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Albany diocese files for bankruptcy amid flood of abuse lawsuits
The Diocese of Albany filed for Chapter 11 protection, facing more than 400 Child Victims Act lawsuits.
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Diocese of Santa Rosa files for bankruptcy after nearly 200 abuse lawsuits
The Diocese of Santa Rosa filed for Chapter 11 protection after nearly 200 suits were filed under California's lookback window.
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B.C. judge certifies class action over Christian Brothers abuse at Vancouver schools
A Vancouver judge allowed a class action to proceed against two Catholic schools over alleged abuse by Christian Brothers, including men previously linked to Mount Cashel.
February 2023
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Weinstein sentenced to 16 years in Los Angeles case
A Los Angeles judge sentenced Weinstein to 16 years in prison for his California rape and sexual assault conviction, to be served after his New York sentence.
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California law opens three-year window for adult survivors' time-barred claims
AB 2777, effective Jan. 1, 2023, revived expired civil claims by adult sexual assault survivors against entities alleged to have covered up abuse, through 2026.
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R. Kelly sentenced to 20 years in Chicago case, mostly concurrent
Judge Harry Leinenweber sentenced Kelly to 20 years, with 19 to run concurrently with his New York term, effectively adding one year.
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Portuguese inquiry finds nearly 5,000 children abused by clergy since 1950
An independent commission commissioned by Portugal's bishops validated 512 testimonies and estimated at least 4,815 victims.
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Activision Blizzard pays $35 million to settle SEC workplace misconduct disclosure case
The SEC said Activision Blizzard lacked controls to assess workplace misconduct complaints for disclosure and violated whistleblower rules; the company paid $35 million without admitting or denying the findings.
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Judge jails Hadden ahead of sentencing
A federal judge revoked Hadden's bail and ordered him jailed pending sentencing after victims urged detention.
January 2023
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Cook County prosecutors drop state sex abuse charges against R. Kelly
State's Attorney Kim Foxx dropped the 2019 state charges, citing Kelly's lengthy federal sentences.
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Federal jury convicts Hadden of luring patients across state lines for abuse
A federal jury found Hadden guilty of four counts of enticing women to travel to New York for unlawful sexual activity.
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Time's Up halts operations and shifts resources to legal defense fund
Time's Up said it would cease operations and lay off staff, transferring remaining funds to its legal defense fund after a period of turmoil.
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Sandusky files new post-conviction appeal in Centre County
Sandusky's lawyers filed another petition challenging his conviction, which prosecutors opposed.
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Dispute over SBC abuse hotline highlights struggles to implement reforms
A disagreement over handling calls to the Guidepost-run abuse hotline raised questions about the pace of reform.
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SEC charges Easterbrook with misleading investors about his firing
The SEC charged Easterbrook with misleading investors about the circumstances of his termination; he agreed to a $400,000 penalty and an officer-and-director bar without admitting or denying the findings.
December 2022
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U.S. Virgin Islands sues JPMorgan over Epstein
The Virgin Islands accused JPMorgan of knowingly facilitating Epstein's sex trafficking by keeping him as a client for years.
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Nearly 300 former detainees sue L.A. County over alleged sexual abuse in juvenile facilities
A lawsuit filed Dec. 20 on behalf of 279 former detainees alleges probation and detention staff sexually abused youths at county juvenile halls and camps over several decades. The suit claims the county failed to screen, train and supervise its employees.
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Los Angeles jury convicts Weinstein of rape and sexual assault
A Los Angeles jury found Weinstein guilty of rape and two other sexual offenses involving one woman, acquitted him on one count and deadlocked on others.
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Senate report details widespread sexual abuse of women in federal prisons
A Senate subcommittee investigation led by Sen. Jon Ossoff found BOP employees sexually abused women in at least two-thirds of federal women's prisons, including Dublin.
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Jury convicts former FCI Dublin warden Ray Garcia of sexually abusing inmates
A federal jury convicted Garcia on all counts of sexually abusing three incarcerated women. It was the first trial among several cases against Dublin staff.
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38 women sue James Toback and the Harvard Club under Adult Survivors Act
Dozens of women filed suit in New York alleging sexual misconduct by Toback over decades and naming the Harvard Club as a defendant.
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Five women sue Bill Cosby and NBCUniversal under New York's Adult Survivors Act
Five women, including former Cosby Show actors Lili Bernard and Eden Tirl, sued Cosby and accused NBCUniversal and production companies of negligence; Cosby denied the allegations.
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Five women sue Cosby and NBCUniversal under New York Adult Survivors Act
Five women, including former Cosby Show actresses Lili Bernard and Eden Tirl, sued Cosby for assault and named NBCUniversal and two production companies as defendants on negligence claims under New York's one-year lookback window. Cosby's spokesman called the suit frivolous.
November 2022
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Epstein estate settles U.S. Virgin Islands lawsuit for over $105 million
The estate agreed to pay the territory more than $105 million plus proceeds from the sale of Great St. James island to resolve its civil racketeering suit.
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Danny Masterson rape trial ends in mistrial after jury deadlocks
A Los Angeles judge declared a mistrial after jurors could not reach unanimous verdicts on any of the three rape counts against Danny Masterson; prosecutors said they would retry him.
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Survivors sue JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank over Epstein ties
Women who say Epstein abused them filed proposed class actions in New York accusing JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank of enabling his sex trafficking; the banks denied wrongdoing.
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Former camper sues Kanakuk alleging fraud in 2010 abuse settlement
A former camper abused by Pete Newman sued Kanakuk, its CEO and its insurer, alleging his family was misled into a confidential 2010 settlement by claims that leaders did not know of Newman's conduct. Kanakuk declined to comment on pending litigation.
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CBS and Moonves to pay $30.5 million to resolve New York attorney general probe
The New York attorney general said CBS executives worked to conceal assault allegations against Les Moonves, including tips from an LAPD captain, while Moonves sold stock; CBS, Paramount and Moonves agreed to pay $30.5 million, most of it to shareholders, and adopt reforms.
October 2022
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Pennsylvania AG charges four Jehovah's Witnesses members with abusing children
Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced the first charges from the grand jury probe, involving alleged abuse of 19 children.
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Weinstein's Los Angeles sex crimes trial opens
Opening statements began in Weinstein's second criminal trial, in Los Angeles, where he faced rape and sexual assault charges involving multiple women.
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Final IICSA report recommends mandatory reporting and national redress scheme
The inquiry's final report made 20 recommendations, including a legal duty to report child sexual abuse, a national redress scheme and a child protection authority.
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Jury convicts Heaps on five counts involving two patients
A jury convicted Heaps on five felony counts, acquitted him on seven and deadlocked on the rest; he was taken into custody.
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IICSA publishes final report on child sexual abuse in England and Wales
The seven-year inquiry, which included investigations of the Catholic Church and Benedictine schools, issued its final recommendations including mandatory reporting.
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Jury finds Kevin Spacey not liable in Anthony Rapp lawsuit
A federal civil jury in Manhattan found Anthony Rapp had not proven that Kevin Spacey touched him sexually in 1986, rejecting his $40 million claim.
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Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian to pay $165 million to Hadden accusers
A $165 million settlement with 147 women brought payouts related to Hadden to about $236 million.
September 2022
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Michigan Supreme Court declines review, ending Klages prosecution
The Michigan Supreme Court denied the attorney general's request to review the reversal of Kathie Klages' conviction, leaving the conviction vacated.
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New book by LA Times reporter details how USC scandals nearly went untold
Times journalist Paul Pringle published an account of the reporting behind the Tyndall and Puliafito stories and the obstacles the newsroom faced.
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Judge approves fund to distribute Michigan's $490 million Anderson settlement
A federal judge approved the fund for Anderson survivors, with $30 million reserved for future claimants; regents chair Paul Brown apologized.
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Sixth Circuit revives Strauss lawsuits against Ohio State
A divided federal appeals panel ruled the survivors' Title IX lawsuits could proceed, reversing the dismissal on statute-of-limitations grounds.
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R. Kelly convicted on child pornography and enticement charges in Chicago
A Chicago federal jury convicted Kelly on six counts including producing child pornography and enticing minors, while acquitting him of conspiring to obstruct his 2008 trial; two co-defendants were acquitted.
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Judge confirms $2.46 billion Boy Scouts reorganization plan for more than 80,000 abuse claimants
Bankruptcy Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein approved a $2.46 billion plan funded by the BSA, local councils, settling insurers and sponsoring organizations, which in return are shielded from Scout-related abuse suits. A $250 million deal with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was dropped after the judge found its release too broad, and objectors said they would appeal.
August 2022
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Judge limits clergy-privilege defense in Arizona church abuse case
A Cochise County judge ruled the church could not broadly rely on clergy-penitent privilege in the Bisbee civil case.
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Justice Department opens investigation into Southern Baptist Convention
SBC leaders disclosed that the DOJ had launched an investigation involving multiple SBC entities related to abuse.
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AP investigation: church abuse help line steered reports to lawyers, abuse continued for years
AP reported that church officials in Bisbee, Arizona, did not report a member's admitted abuse to authorities after calling the church's help line, which routes calls to a law firm.
July 2022
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Judge rejects parts of Boy Scouts' $2.7 billion abuse settlement, including church contribution
Bankruptcy Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein approved much of the settlement framework but declined to approve certain provisions, including the $250 million Latter-day Saints contribution as structured, requiring revisions before confirmation.
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Pope Francis apologizes in Canada for abuses at church-run residential schools
Speaking at Maskwacis, Alberta, Pope Francis apologized for the role of Catholics in Canada's residential school system, where Indigenous children suffered abuse including sexual abuse.
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Ohio State settles with seven more Strauss survivors
Seven additional settlements brought Ohio State's total to 296 survivors and more than $60 million.
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Telford inquiry finds more than 1,000 children exploited over decades
Tom Crowther KC's independent inquiry found over 1,000 children in Telford were sexually exploited and that authorities ignored the abuse, partly over concerns about race; police and council apologised.
June 2022
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R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in federal prison
U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly sentenced Kelly to 30 years in prison for racketeering and sex trafficking.
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Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years in prison
Judge Alison Nathan sentenced Maxwell to 20 years for helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls.
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Civil jury finds Cosby sexually abused a teenager at Playboy Mansion in 1975
A Santa Monica jury found Cosby liable for sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl in 1975 and awarded her $500,000 in damages. Cosby, who denied the claim, did not attend the trial.
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Activision board review says executives did not ignore harassment
An Activision Blizzard board review concluded there was no evidence senior executives ignored or tried to cover up harassment, a finding criticized by employee advocates.
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Lawsuit alleges sexual abuse at L.A. County's MacLaren Hall children's shelter
A lawsuit filed on behalf of former residents alleges that children placed at the county-run MacLaren Hall emergency shelter were sexually abused over decades. The claims accuse the county of failing to protect children in its care.
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Southern Baptists overwhelmingly approve abuse reforms in Anaheim
Messengers backed creating a database of credibly accused ministers and an implementation task force.
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About 90 gymnasts including Biles and Raisman seek $1 billion from FBI
Around 90 survivors, including Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney, filed administrative claims totaling more than $1 billion against the FBI over its failure to stop Nassar after 2015 reports.
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UK prosecutors authorize indecent assault charges against Weinstein
Britain's Crown Prosecution Service authorized two counts of indecent assault against Weinstein over allegations involving a woman in London in 1996.
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New York appeals court upholds Weinstein's rape conviction
An intermediate New York appellate court rejected Weinstein's appeal and affirmed his 2020 conviction and 23-year sentence, finding the trial judge's rulings were proper.
May 2022
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New Hampshire governor signs $100 million settlement fund for youth center abuse victims
Gov. Chris Sununu signed legislation creating a $100 million fund to settle claims by people abused at the Youth Development Center. Some victims' lawyers criticized the fund's caps and terms.
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SBC releases previously secret list of accused abusers
Executive Committee leaders published an internal list kept by staff of hundreds of ministers and others accused of abuse.
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Justice Department declines to charge FBI agents over Nassar probe
The Justice Department said it would not prosecute two former FBI agents faulted by the inspector general over the Nassar investigation, saying the evidence was insufficient while not endorsing their conduct.
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Kevin Spacey charged in UK with sexual assault of three men
The Crown Prosecution Service authorized four sexual assault charges against Kevin Spacey involving three men in incidents from 2005 to 2013; further charges were added later. Spacey denied the allegations.
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Lisa Bloom's firm to pay Steve Wynn to resolve his defamation suit
Attorney Lisa Bloom's firm agreed to pay to settle a defamation lawsuit Steve Wynn filed over statements made while she represented women accusing him of misconduct.
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UCLA agrees to $374.4 million more, bringing Heaps payouts near $700 million
A $374.4 million settlement with 312 plaintiffs brought total Heaps-related payments to nearly $700 million, a record for a public university.
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Guidepost report finds SBC leaders stonewalled survivors and protected the institution for decades
The independent report found Executive Committee leaders mishandled abuse reports and resisted reforms, and included an allegation against former SBC president Johnny Hunt.
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Preliminary hearing continues in Tyndall criminal case
Former patients testified as the lengthy preliminary hearing on the felony charges against Tyndall continued.
April 2022
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USC settles suits with 80 former students over campus doctor Dennis Kelly
USC settled lawsuits brought by 80 former students, mostly gay and bisexual men, who alleged sexual misconduct by former men's health physician Dennis Kelly; terms were not disclosed.
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Hundreds of children allegedly abused at New Hampshire's state youth center, Globe examines
The Globe examined allegations by hundreds of former residents that they were abused at the state-run youth detention center over decades. The state faced a growing wave of civil suits.
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Nassar survivors file claims against the FBI
Dozens of survivors filed administrative claims against the FBI over its mishandling of 2015 reports about Nassar, the first step toward suing the federal government.
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Paramount and Moonves agree to $14.75 million settlement with CBS shareholders
Paramount Global and Les Moonves agreed to pay $14.75 million to settle a securities class action alleging CBS misled investors about its handling of misconduct allegations against Moonves.
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Ohio State reaches two more settlements covering 57 Strauss survivors
Two settlements totaling about $2 million covered 57 survivors whose suits had been dismissed, bringing the total to 289 survivors and $59.8 million.
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Texas prosecutors drop evidence-tampering charge against ex-USA Gymnastics CEO Steve Penny
Walker County, Texas prosecutors dismissed the tampering charge against Steve Penny over documents removed from the Karolyi Ranch, citing insufficient evidence. Penny had pleaded not guilty.
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Leaked Hillsong NYC report finds misconduct beyond Carl Lentz
An investigation commissioned by Hillsong described sexual misconduct and abuse of power at its New York church.
March 2022
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Judge approves Activision Blizzard's $18 million EEOC settlement
A federal judge approved the consent decree resolving the EEOC's harassment and discrimination case against Activision Blizzard.
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Brian Houston resigns from Hillsong after board findings on conduct with women
Houston resigned after the church disclosed two complaints about his conduct with women.
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U.S. Supreme Court declines to review ruling that freed Cosby
The Supreme Court turned down Montgomery County prosecutors' request to reinstate Cosby's conviction, ending the criminal case.
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Ending forced arbitration for harassment claims signed into law, backed by Gretchen Carlson
President Biden signed a law barring mandatory arbitration of sexual assault and harassment claims; Carlson, whose Fox contract had an arbitration clause, championed the bill.
February 2022
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Prince Andrew settles Virginia Giuffre's lawsuit
Prince Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre, without admitting liability, including a donation to her charity.
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UC settles Heaps lawsuits by 200-plus women for $243.6 million
The University of California agreed to pay $243.6 million to settle suits by more than 200 women who accused Heaps.
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AP investigation finds culture of sexual abuse at FCI Dublin women's prison
An AP investigation described a permissive and toxic culture at FCI Dublin that enabled staff sexual abuse of incarcerated women for years.
January 2022
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Brian Houston steps aside as Hillsong global senior pastor ahead of trial
Houston stepped back from leadership while he prepared to contest the concealment charge.
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Benedict XVI acknowledges faulty testimony to Munich abuse inquiry
The retired pope corrected his statement and acknowledged attending a 1980 meeting about an abusive priest, attributing the error to an editing mistake.
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Munich report finds Benedict XVI failed to act on abuse cases
A law firm report commissioned by the Munich archdiocese said then-Archbishop Joseph Ratzinger mishandled four abuse cases in the 1970s and 1980s.
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Appeals court revives Masterson accusers' harassment suit against Scientology
A California appeals court reversed an order sending the women's harassment claims to Scientology religious arbitration, allowing their lawsuit against the church and Masterson to proceed in court.
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University of Michigan agrees to $490 million settlement with Anderson survivors
Michigan agreed to pay $490 million to more than 1,000 people who said they were abused by Anderson, one of the largest such settlements by a university.
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Prince Andrew stripped of military titles and royal patronages
Buckingham Palace said Prince Andrew's military affiliations and royal patronages were returned to the Queen and he would stop using HRH, after a U.S. judge let Giuffre's suit proceed.
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Preliminary vote tally shows Boy Scouts plan short of targeted survivor support
A preliminary voting report showed about 73% of abuse claimants backed the reorganization plan, below the 75% the Boy Scouts sought given the plan's third-party releases.
December 2021
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Ghislaine Maxwell convicted of sex trafficking for Epstein
A federal jury found Maxwell guilty on five of six counts, including sex trafficking of a minor.
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Biden signs defense bill moving sexual assault prosecutions to independent lawyers
Biden signed the fiscal 2022 defense authorization, which created independent special trial counsel to handle sexual assault cases.
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Michigan appeals court overturns Klages conviction
The Michigan Court of Appeals reversed Kathie Klages' conviction, finding insufficient evidence that her false statements were material to the Nassar investigation.
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Appeals court upholds dismissal of charges against Simon
The Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of charges against Simon and criticized the prosecution's investigation.
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Ousted McDonald's CEO Easterbrook returns $105 million
Easterbrook agreed to return more than $105 million to settle McDonald's lawsuit accusing him of concealing other relationships with employees.
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Congress sends defense bill overhauling military sexual assault prosecutions to Biden
The Senate passed the annual defense bill moving sexual assault prosecutions to independent military prosecutors and incorporating elements of the Guillen act.
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Chubb's Century Indemnity agrees to contribute $800 million to Boy Scouts survivor fund
Century Indemnity and affiliated Chubb companies, the Boy Scouts' primary insurer, agreed to pay $800 million into the abuse survivors' trust, pushing the proposed total toward $2.7 billion.
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Nassar survivors reach $380 million settlement with USA Gymnastics and USOPC
A bankruptcy judge approved a $380 million settlement among USA Gymnastics, the USOPC, their insurers and hundreds of survivors, ending the bankruptcy case.
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Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian agree to $71.5 million fund for Hadden accusers
Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian agreed to a $71.5 million settlement with 79 women who accused Hadden.
November 2021
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Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking trial opens in Manhattan
Prosecutors told jurors Maxwell and Epstein were partners in the abuse of teenage girls as her federal trial began; her lawyers argued she was being blamed for Epstein's crimes.
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Kevin Spacey ordered to pay $31 million to 'House of Cards' producer over firing losses
Court filings showed an arbitrator ordered Kevin Spacey to pay about $31 million to MRC, finding he breached his contract's harassment policies and caused losses when the studio rewrote House of Cards.
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WSJ reports CEO Bobby Kotick knew of misconduct claims; staff walk out again
A Wall Street Journal report said Kotick knew of sexual misconduct allegations for years without fully informing the board, prompting calls for his resignation. Kotick called the report inaccurate.
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Barclays CEO Jes Staley steps down after regulator's Epstein probe
Staley, a former JPMorgan executive who oversaw Epstein's accounts, left Barclays after UK regulators reached preliminary conclusions about how he described his relationship with Epstein.
October 2021
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USC admits troubling delay in warning campus about fraternity drugging and assault reports
President Carol Folt acknowledged USC was slow to alert students to reports of drugging and sexual assault allegedly connected to a campus fraternity.
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Former NFL player Jon Vaughn camps outside Michigan president's home
Former Michigan running back Jon Vaughn staged a sit-in outside President Mark Schlissel's residence demanding accountability for Anderson's abuse.
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Former Cosby Show actress Lili Bernard sues Cosby in New Jersey
Actress Lili Bernard, who appeared on The Cosby Show, filed a civil suit alleging Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her in 1990, using a New Jersey law that extended filing deadlines. Cosby denied the allegations.
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SBC Executive Committee chief Ronnie Floyd resigns amid abuse probe dispute
Floyd stepped down as president of the Executive Committee following the vote to waive privilege in the abuse investigation.
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California's Silenced No More Act widens limits on workplace NDAs
California enacted SB 331, extending the ban on nondisclosure provisions in settlements beyond sexual harassment to all forms of workplace harassment and discrimination.
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Complaints of alleged abuse by Anderson surpass 2,100
The Detroit News reported that complaints of alleged abuse by Anderson had exceeded 2,100.
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Pope Francis expresses shame over French church abuse findings
Francis voiced shame at the church's long failure to put victims first after the Sauvé report.
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Tyndall accusers call for investigation of top USC officials
Former patients and their advocates urged authorities to investigate whether USC administrators knew of Tyndall's alleged abuse and failed to act.
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SBC Executive Committee waives attorney-client privilege for abuse investigation
After weeks of dispute, the Executive Committee voted to waive privilege so Guidepost Solutions could access legal records.
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Sauvé report estimates 330,000 children abused in French church since 1950
The CIASE found roughly 216,000 minors were abused by clergy, rising to about 330,000 including lay church workers, and described a systemic failure.
September 2021
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FCI Dublin warden Ray Garcia charged with sexually abusing an inmate
Federal prosecutors charged the warden of the women's prison in Dublin, California, with sexual abuse of a woman in his custody. He was presumed innocent.
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Activision Blizzard reaches $18 million deal with EEOC
The EEOC sued Activision Blizzard over sexual harassment and discrimination and the company simultaneously agreed to an $18 million fund to compensate eligible workers.
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R. Kelly convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking in New York
A Brooklyn federal jury found Kelly guilty on all nine counts, including racketeering and Mann Act violations, after a six-week trial in which several accusers testified.
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Federal judge dismisses Strauss lawsuits on statute-of-limitations grounds
A federal judge dismissed several lawsuits against Ohio State, ruling the Title IX claims were filed too late; plaintiffs appealed.
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Biles, Maroney, Raisman and Nichols testify to Senate about FBI failures
Four elite gymnasts told the Senate Judiciary Committee the FBI ignored and mishandled their reports, following a Justice Department inspector general report criticizing agents; FBI Director Christopher Wray apologized.
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Hartford raises Boy Scouts deal to $787 million; Latter-day Saints church agrees to pay $250 million
The Hartford agreed to a tentative $787 million contribution to the survivors' fund, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, formerly the largest troop sponsor, agreed to pay $250 million in exchange for releases from abuse claims.
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Judge lets sex-trafficking and assault claims against Ed Henry proceed
A federal judge in Manhattan declined to dismiss key claims in the lawsuit against Henry, including sex-trafficking allegations, and allowed some claims against Fox to continue.
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Inquiry says religious groups failing children over sexual abuse
A report on religious organisations found many faith groups lacked basic child protection and discouraged reporting.
August 2021
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Time's Up CEO resigns amid fallout over Cuomo scandal
Tina Tchen stepped down as Time's Up chief executive after reports that group leaders had advised New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's team as he faced harassment allegations.
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Bankruptcy judge gives conditional approval to Boy Scouts' $850 million survivor deal
A Delaware bankruptcy judge allowed the Boy Scouts to enter the $850 million settlement but rejected provisions on paying claimant lawyers' fees and on backing out of the Hartford agreement.
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Jury selection begins in R. Kelly's Brooklyn sex trafficking trial
Jury selection opened in Kelly's long-delayed federal racketeering and sex trafficking trial in Brooklyn.
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Virginia Giuffre sues Prince Andrew in New York
Giuffre, who has spoken publicly about Epstein's abuse, filed a civil suit alleging Prince Andrew sexually abused her when she was 17; he denied the allegations.
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Australian police charge Hillsong founder Brian Houston with concealing father's abuse
New South Wales police charged Houston with concealing a serious indictable offense involving abuse by his late father, Frank Houston.
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Spanier released from jail after serving 58 days
Spanier was released from the Centre County Correctional Facility after serving nearly all of his two-month sentence.
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Blizzard president J. Allen Brack steps down amid harassment scandal
Blizzard Entertainment president J. Allen Brack left the company in the wake of the California lawsuit and employee protests.
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Grand jury indicts 10 of 11 former YDC employees in abuse probe
A grand jury indicted 10 of the 11 former Youth Development Center employees arrested earlier in the year on multiple counts tied to alleged sexual abuse of residents. The defendants are presumed innocent.
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Fox Business producer sues alleging unwanted advances by Andrew Napolitano
An associate producer sued Fox News alleging unwanted advances by legal analyst Andrew Napolitano and a dismissive response from management. Fox said it took action on the Napolitano complaint and called other claims baseless.
July 2021
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Ex-cardinal McCarrick criminally charged in Massachusetts with assaulting a teenager in 1974
McCarrick was charged in Dedham District Court with indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, stemming from an alleged 1974 assault at a wedding reception at Wellesley College. He became the first U.S. cardinal criminally charged with sexual abuse of a minor.
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Activision Blizzard employees walk out over company's response to lawsuit
Employees staged a walkout protesting leadership's initial response to the state lawsuit and demanding changes to policies on harassment and arbitration.
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Inquiry finds Lambeth council exposed children in care to decades of abuse
The Lambeth report found a culture of cover-up meant hundreds of children in the council's care were subjected to sexual and physical abuse.
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Catholic Church sells assets to pay Mount Cashel survivors
The Archdiocese of St. John's began selling churches and property to compensate Mount Cashel survivors, though their lawyer warned proceeds would fall short.
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California sues Activision Blizzard alleging harassment and 'frat boy' culture
California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing sued Activision Blizzard alleging widespread sexual harassment and discrimination against women. The company disputed the claims.
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Weinstein extradited from New York to Los Angeles to face sex crime charges
Weinstein was transferred from a New York prison to Los Angeles County custody to face charges of rape and sexual assault involving several women in California.
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DOJ inspector general finds FBI badly mishandled Nassar allegations
The Justice Department inspector general found the FBI's Indianapolis office made fundamental errors after learning of Nassar allegations in 2015, failing to act promptly or notify authorities, and that officials later gave inaccurate accounts.
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Judge gives final approval to $73 million Heaps class settlement
A federal judge granted final approval of the $73 million class-action settlement for former Heaps patients.
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Commission issues 80 recommendations; Austin orders military sexual assault reforms
The Independent Review Commission found the military unequipped to address sexual assault, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered changes including shifting prosecution authority.
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Boy Scouts reach $850 million settlement with tens of thousands of abuse survivors
The Boy Scouts and its local councils agreed to contribute $850 million to a trust for abuse survivors under a deal with major claimant groups. It was the largest such settlement involving a youth organization at the time.
June 2021
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Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturns Cosby conviction; he is freed from prison
The state Supreme Court vacated Cosby's conviction, ruling that a former district attorney's earlier promise not to prosecute should have barred the charges, and released him after nearly three years in prison. The ruling did not find him innocent.
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New York City fines Fox News $1 million over harassment and retaliation
The NYC Commission on Human Rights fined Fox News $1 million, its largest such penalty, and required policy changes after finding harassment and retaliation violations.
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Report says federal grand jury examining USA Swimming over abuse cover-up and insurance
Salon reported that a federal grand jury in Manhattan was investigating USA Swimming over alleged concealment of abuse cases and insurance practices; prosecutors declined to comment. The organization faced dozens of civil abuse claims.
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Southern Baptist messengers approve task force and independent review of Executive Committee
Messengers in Nashville overwhelmingly voted for a third-party investigation of how the Executive Committee handled abuse claims.
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Former players allege Bo Schembechler knew of Anderson abuse
At a news conference, accusers including a Schembechler family member alleged the late coach was told of the abuse and did not act; other family members denied he knew.
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Leaked letters prompt Southern Baptist pastors to demand inquiry into abuse handling
After letters from former ethics chief Russell Moore alleging mistreatment of abuse survivors became public, pastors called for an independent investigation of the Executive Committee.
May 2021
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Parole board denies Cosby release after he refuses sex offender treatment
The Pennsylvania parole board denied Cosby parole, citing his refusal to take part in a required sex offender treatment program.
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Spanier ordered to serve two months in jail
After his appeals ran out, Spanier was ordered to serve two months in county jail followed by house arrest.
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Grand jury indicts Heaps on 21 counts
A Los Angeles County grand jury indicted Heaps on 21 sex-related felony counts involving seven patients.
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Guards in Epstein death case reach deal sparing them jail
Federal prosecutors agreed to a deferred prosecution deal with the two guards, who admitted falsifying records but avoided prison time.
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WilmerHale report finds Michigan missed many chances to stop Anderson
The university-commissioned WilmerHale report found staff were told about Anderson's conduct on at least 20 occasions, including complaints allegedly relayed to Bo Schembechler and Don Canham.
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Ohio State launches individual settlement program for remaining Strauss cases
Ohio State opened a 120-day individual settlement program for survivors in five active cases, targeting average awards comparable to earlier settlements.
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Tyndall settlement leaves some survivors bitter over payout disparities
The Times reported wide disparities between payments to plaintiffs in the state-court deal and those in the federal class settlement.
April 2021
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Pentagon panel recommends ending commanders' control of sexual assault prosecutions
An independent review commission recommended moving decisions on prosecuting sexual assault cases from commanders to independent military lawyers.
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The Hartford agrees to pay $650 million to settle Boy Scouts abuse coverage claims
Insurer The Hartford reached a $650 million agreement with the Boy Scouts to resolve its coverage obligations for abuse claims. Survivor groups objected that the amount was far too low.
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France's top court confirms Cardinal Barbarin's acquittal
The Court of Cassation upheld an appeals ruling that cleared Barbarin of failing to report abuse.
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Former New Hampshire youth center workers charged in sex abuse investigation
State authorities announced arrests of former staff at the Youth Development Center in Manchester, accused of sexually assaulting youths in their care decades ago. The arrests came from the attorney general's YDC task force created in 2019.
March 2021
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Michigan attorney general closes MSU probe after university keeps Nassar documents privileged
Attorney General Dana Nessel ended her office's investigation of Michigan State's handling of Nassar after the university declined to waive attorney-client privilege over thousands of documents.
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Report reexamines Kanakuk Kamps abuse and nondisclosure agreements with victims
Reporting revisited abuse by former Kanakuk director Pete Newman, imprisoned since 2010, and found the camp had kept promoting him despite earlier complaints. Many families settled under NDAs, prompting calls for the camp to release victims from them.
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Harvard sanctions professor Martin Nowak over Epstein involvement
Harvard sanctioned mathematician Martin Nowak and closed his research program after finding he gave Epstein extensive campus access in violation of university policy.
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USC agrees to $852 million settlement, bringing Tyndall payouts above $1.1 billion
USC reached an $852 million settlement with about 710 women in state court, which with the federal class deal brought total payouts to more than $1.1 billion, the largest sexual abuse settlement in higher education history.
February 2021
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Former Olympic coach John Geddert charged, then dies by suicide
Michigan's attorney general charged Geddert with human trafficking, sexual assault and other crimes; he was found dead hours later.
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Judge declines to halt Weinstein Company plan pending objectors' appeal
The bankruptcy judge refused a request from objecting accusers to pause the confirmed plan while they appealed.
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Law firm report finds Ravi Zacharias engaged in sexual misconduct
An investigation commissioned by RZIM found extensive misconduct by Zacharias, who died in 2020, and the ministry apologized.
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Pilots allege abuse by Anderson during FAA physicals
Pilots came forward alleging abuse by Anderson, who performed more than 4,000 FAA medical exams.
January 2021
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Bankruptcy judge approves Weinstein Company plan with about $17 million for accusers
A Delaware bankruptcy judge confirmed a liquidation plan setting aside roughly $17 million for people with sexual misconduct claims against Weinstein.
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Leon Black to step down as Apollo CEO after review finds $158 million in Epstein payments
An outside review found Black paid Epstein about $158 million for tax and estate advice; it found no involvement in Epstein's crimes, and Black said he would step down as CEO.
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Supreme Court of Canada declines archdiocese's Mount Cashel appeal
The Supreme Court refused to hear the archdiocese's appeal, leaving it liable for abuse at Mount Cashel and ending a two-decade legal fight.
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Irish state and church apologize over mother and baby homes
Taoiseach Micheál Martin delivered a state apology and Catholic leaders also apologized after the commission's findings.
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Mother and baby homes report finds 9,000 children died
The commission's final report found about 9,000 children died in the 18 institutions examined, many of them run by Catholic orders, and described a deeply misogynistic culture.
December 2020
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Appeals court rejects Nassar's bid for a new sentencing hearing
The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that Judge Aquilina's comments did not show bias and denied Nassar's request for resentencing.
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Empowering Athletes Act strengthens oversight of U.S. Olympic system
A federal law enacted in late 2020 gave Congress power to dissolve the USOPC board and decertify governing bodies, and increased funding for the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
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Paris court convicts former Vatican envoy of sexual assault
Former papal nuncio to France Luigi Ventura received a suspended sentence for sexually assaulting men in Paris.
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Home Office publishes long-delayed review of grooming gang characteristics
The Home Office released its review of group-based child sexual exploitation after pressure to publish, concluding offenders came from diverse backgrounds and data were poor.
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Army fires or suspends 14 Fort Hood leaders after independent review
An independent review blamed leadership failures for a climate that tolerated sexual assault and harassment at Fort Hood, leading the Army to remove or suspend 14 officers and soldiers.
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Federal appeals court reinstates Spanier's child endangerment conviction
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the lower court had improperly vacated Spanier's misdemeanor conviction.
November 2020
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Ampleforth College barred from admitting new pupils over safeguarding
The Department for Education ordered the Catholic boarding school to stop taking new pupils after inspectors found safeguarding failings.
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At least 82,000 sex abuse claims filed against Boy Scouts by bankruptcy deadline
The claims deadline in the Boy Scouts' Chapter 11 case closed with more than 82,000 abuse claims filed, far beyond earlier projections. The volume made the case the largest of its kind in U.S. history.
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University of California agrees to $73 million class settlement over Heaps
The UC system proposed a $73 million class-action settlement covering thousands of Heaps's former patients plus reforms such as a chaperone policy.
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DOJ review finds Acosta used poor judgment in Epstein deal
The Office of Professional Responsibility concluded Acosta exercised poor judgment in resolving the federal Epstein investigation but did not commit professional misconduct.
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Vatican report finds church leaders, including John Paul II, discounted warnings about McCarrick
The Vatican released a 449-page internal report concluding that bishops, cardinals and popes received reports of McCarrick's misconduct for decades, and that Pope John Paul II promoted him despite those warnings.
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IICSA finds Catholic Church in England and Wales swept abuse under the carpet
The inquiry's report on the Catholic Church said it put its reputation ahead of victims and criticized Cardinal Vincent Nichols's leadership.
October 2020
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Detroit News investigation details decades of missed warnings about Anderson
An in-depth Detroit News report described how the university failed for decades to heed warnings about Anderson.
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Apollo board orders review of Leon Black's ties to Epstein
Apollo's board hired an outside law firm to review CEO Leon Black's payments to Epstein after reports of tens of millions in transfers.
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Ohio State reaches $5.8 million settlement with 23 more Strauss survivors
A second settlement of $5.8 million with 23 survivors brought the total to $46.7 million for 185 survivors.
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Anita Hill-led Hollywood Commission survey finds harassment persists
A survey by the Hollywood Commission found that many entertainment workers still experience harassment and that most doubt perpetrators will be held accountable.
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Inquiry finds Church of England was 'a hiding place for abusers'
The Anglican Church report concluded the Church of England put its reputation ahead of victims and failed to respond properly to abuse.
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Rockville Centre becomes fourth New York diocese to file for bankruptcy
The Long Island diocese, facing more than 200 Child Victims Act lawsuits, filed for Chapter 11 protection.
September 2020
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Spa workers accuse Ravi Zacharias of misconduct; RZIM opens investigation
Former employees of spas co-owned by the late apologist alleged sexual harassment, prompting RZIM to hire a law firm.
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Alphabet settles shareholder suits over harassment, commits $310 million to diversity
Alphabet settled shareholder suits over its handling of misconduct by executives, agreeing to governance reforms and a $310 million diversity and inclusion commitment.
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I Am Vanessa Guillen Act introduced in Congress
Lawmakers introduced legislation named for the slain Fort Hood soldier to move sexual harassment and assault cases outside the chain of command.
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Federal prosecutors indict Hadden on enticement charges
Hadden was arrested on a federal indictment accusing him of abusing dozens of patients from 1993 to 2012 and luring victims across state lines.
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Queensland law requires priests to report abuse disclosed in confession
Following a royal commission recommendation, Queensland passed a law making clergy who fail to report child abuse learned in confession liable to jail.
August 2020
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Monks to leave Downside Abbey after abuse scandal
The Benedictine community decided to leave Downside Abbey and separate from the school following the abuse findings.
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Klages sentenced to 90 days in jail in Nassar-related case
A judge sentenced Kathie Klages to 90 days in jail and probation for lying to investigators about her knowledge of complaints against Nassar.
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Heaps now faces 20 felony counts involving seven patients
Prosecutors expanded the case against Heaps to 20 felony counts involving seven patients from 2011 to 2018; he pleaded not guilty.
July 2020
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N.L. Court of Appeal rules Archdiocese of St. John's liable for Mount Cashel abuse
The province's appeal court unanimously reversed a 2018 ruling and found the Roman Catholic archdiocese vicariously liable for abuse of boys at Mount Cashel in the 1950s and 1960s.
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Tyndall pleads not guilty to new felony charges
Tyndall entered not-guilty pleas to the additional charges involving alleged crimes between 2011 and 2015.
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Lawsuit accuses Ed Henry of rape and names other Fox hosts in harassment claims
A former Fox Business associate producer sued alleging Henry sexually assaulted her, and a former guest commentator joined with harassment claims against several hosts. Henry and Fox denied the allegations.
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Report: Ousted USC president Nikias received $7.6 million payout
Tax filings showed Nikias received about $7.6 million in compensation after he was pushed out over the Tyndall scandal.
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Ghislaine Maxwell denied bail, pleads not guilty
A federal judge denied Maxwell bail, calling her a flight risk, after she pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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Federal judge rejects proposed $18.9 million Weinstein settlement
U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein refused to approve a class settlement negotiated with the New York attorney general's office, criticizing how it treated different claimants.
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Six more felony counts filed against Tyndall
Prosecutors added six counts of sexual assault and battery involving five additional women, bringing the total to 35 felony counts.
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New York regulator fines Deutsche Bank $150 million over Epstein relationship
New York's financial regulator imposed a $150 million penalty on Deutsche Bank, citing compliance failures including its handling of Epstein's accounts.
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Ghislaine Maxwell arrested on federal charges tied to Epstein
FBI agents arrested Maxwell in New Hampshire on charges that she helped recruit and groom minors for Epstein in the 1990s.
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Fox News fires anchor Ed Henry after sexual misconduct complaint
Fox fired America's Newsroom co-anchor Ed Henry after an investigation into a former employee's complaint of willful sexual misconduct years earlier.
June 2020
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New York AG announces proposed $18.9 million settlement for Weinstein accusers
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a proposed settlement of about $18.9 million with Weinstein, his former studio and its board to compensate women who alleged misconduct, a deal some accusers criticized.
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Australia's PM condemns Jehovah's Witnesses and others refusing to join redress scheme
The government threatened funding and charity-status consequences for institutions, including the Jehovah's Witnesses, that declined to join the national redress scheme.
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Pope moves against Polish bishop accused of shielding abusers
The Vatican sidelined Bishop Edward Janiak of Kalisz under the Vos estis procedures over alleged failures to act on abuse.
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Judge orders Michigan to halt mass alumni outreach in Anderson case
A federal judge ordered the university to stop contacting more than 300,000 alumni, finding it improperly communicated with potential class members.
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Diocese of Syracuse files for bankruptcy
The Diocese of Syracuse filed for Chapter 11 protection, moving Child Victims Act suits into bankruptcy court.
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Danny Masterson charged with raping three women
The Los Angeles County district attorney charged Danny Masterson with three counts of rape involving incidents between 2001 and 2003. Masterson pleaded not guilty.
May 2020
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Judge dismisses charges against former MSU President Simon
An Eaton County judge dismissed the charges against Simon, finding insufficient evidence that she lied to investigators.
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Ohio State to pay $40.9 million to 162 men abused by Strauss
Ohio State finalized a $40.9 million settlement with 162 survivors across 12 lawsuits.
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Unredacted royal commission findings say Pell knew of abuse
Previously redacted sections found Pell was aware of child abuse by clergy in Ballarat in the 1970s and failed to act; Pell disputed the findings.
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Archdiocese of New Orleans files for bankruptcy
The Archdiocese of New Orleans filed for Chapter 11 protection, citing the cost of clergy abuse litigation.
-
Harvard report details Epstein gifts and campus access
A Harvard review found Epstein gave the university millions before his 2008 conviction and continued visiting campus afterward, and the university announced related sanctions and policy changes.
April 2020
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University of Michigan says it hopes to settle Anderson lawsuits
Michigan's president and regents chair said the university wanted to resolve claims from hundreds of Anderson accusers.
-
High Court of Australia overturns Pell's convictions
The High Court unanimously quashed Pell's convictions, finding the jury should have had reasonable doubt, and he was released.
March 2020
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French priest Bernard Preynat jailed for abusing Scouts
A Lyon court sentenced the defrocked priest to five years in prison for sexually assaulting boy scouts decades earlier.
-
Inquiry criticises internet companies over child abuse online
The inquiry's internet report found technology companies were failing to do enough to prevent online grooming and the sharing of abuse images.
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Michigan regents chair Ron Weiser says Anderson abused him
Board of Regents chair Ron Weiser said he was abused by Anderson as a student athlete in the 1960s and declined to recuse himself.
-
Weinstein sentenced to 23 years in prison
Justice James Burke sentenced Weinstein to 23 years in prison for his New York convictions.
-
Ohio State announces settlements in 11 of 18 Strauss lawsuits
Ohio State said it reached monetary settlements covering 11 of 18 pending Strauss lawsuits, with mediation continuing on the rest.
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Six former wrestlers tell CNN that Jim Jordan knew about Strauss
Six former wrestlers told CNN that Jordan was aware of Strauss's conduct, which Jordan continues to deny.
-
Former football and hockey players sue Michigan over Anderson
Additional lawsuits were filed by former football and hockey players alleging abuse by Anderson.
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AG Nessel sets conditions for any state probe of Michigan's Anderson response
Attorney General Dana Nessel said a state investigation would require the university to waive privilege and the Legislature to fund it.
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Former wrestler files first lawsuit against Michigan over Anderson
A former Michigan wrestler filed the first lawsuit alleging the university failed to stop Anderson's abuse.
February 2020
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Diocese of Buffalo files for bankruptcy, citing more than 500 abuse claims
The Diocese of Buffalo filed for Chapter 11 protection, acknowledging more than 500 clergy abuse claims.
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Education Department finds USC failed students in Tyndall case; reforms required
The Office for Civil Rights concluded USC systemically failed to respond to complaints about Tyndall and entered a resolution agreement requiring Title IX reforms and monitoring.
-
Inquiry finds Westminster institutions failed to respond to child abuse claims
The Westminster investigation found political parties and institutions showed deference to powerful people and failed to act on allegations, though it found no evidence of an organised network.
-
Jury convicts Weinstein of rape and criminal sexual act, acquits on most serious counts
A Manhattan jury found Weinstein guilty of third-degree rape and a first-degree criminal sexual act but acquitted him of predatory sexual assault.
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Records show Michigan officials were warned about Anderson decades ago
AP-obtained records show Anderson was pushed out as health service director in 1980 after complaints but continued working with athletes until 2003.
-
Penn State resolves outstanding disputes with the Paterno family
Penn State agreed to cover some Paterno family expenses and settled a 2014 lawsuit by Jay Paterno, with the family agreeing not to push for further review of the scandal.
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Texas church expelled from SBC for hiring a convicted sex offender as pastor
The SBC Executive Committee voted to disfellowship a Texas congregation over its employment of a registered sex offender as pastor.
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University of Michigan investigates abuse claims against late doctor Robert Anderson
Michigan announced an outside investigation into allegations that late physician Robert Anderson abused patients during exams for decades, and opened a hotline; prosecutors said no charges were possible.
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Boy Scouts of America files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid wave of abuse lawsuits
The Boy Scouts filed for Chapter 11 in Delaware, pausing hundreds of lawsuits brought after states including New York, New Jersey, Arizona and California opened lookback windows for old abuse claims. The organization planned a survivor compensation trust; its internal files listed 7,819 suspected abusers.
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Former MSU gymnastics coach Kathie Klages convicted of lying to police
A jury convicted former Michigan State gymnastics coach Kathie Klages of lying to police about when she learned of complaints against Nassar.
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Former wrestler testifies Jordan pressed him to deny abuse claims
A former Ohio State wrestler testified at a state legislative hearing that Jordan had called pleading with him to dispute his brother's allegations; Jordan denies wrongdoing.
-
Pennsylvania grand jury investigating Jehovah's Witnesses abuse handling
The Inquirer reported a statewide grand jury was examining how the church handled child abuse allegations.
-
NYT investigation describes culture of misogyny inside Victoria's Secret
A New York Times investigation reported allegations of harassment and bullying of models and employees, centered on former marketing chief Ed Razek, who denied them.
January 2020
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USA Gymnastics settlement proposal includes Twistars and Geddert contributions
A proposed USA Gymnastics bankruptcy settlement with Nassar survivors included added payments from Twistars and the Gedderts; survivors did not accept the initial plan.
-
SAG-AFTRA issues industry standards for intimacy coordinators
The actors' union released standards and protocols for intimacy coordinators to oversee nude and simulated sex scenes, part of its response to on-set harassment.
-
Judge rejects Sandusky's request for shorter sentence
The judge denied Sandusky's motion to reconsider the reimposed 30-to-60-year sentence.
-
Actress Annabella Sciorra testifies against Weinstein at New York trial
Sciorra testified that Weinstein raped her in the early 1990s; her account was offered to support the predatory sexual assault charges.
-
Police search home and gym of coach John Geddert
Investigators searched the home and former gym of Geddert, the 2012 Olympic women's coach who worked closely with Nassar.
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Evelyn Yang says she was assaulted by gynecologist Robert Hadden
Evelyn Yang, wife of presidential candidate Andrew Yang, said publicly that Hadden assaulted her while she was pregnant, renewing scrutiny of the case.
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Cosby asks Pennsylvania Supreme Court to review his conviction
Cosby's lawyers petitioned the state's highest court to overturn his conviction after losing in the Superior Court; the court later agreed to hear the appeal.
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Montana Supreme Court reverses $35 million verdict against Jehovah's Witnesses
The court held the church was exempt from Montana's mandatory reporting law under a clergy exception.
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Federal judge says he will approve USC's $215 million Tyndall class settlement
U.S. District Judge Stephen Wilson said he was inclined to grant final approval to the federal class settlement and to appoint a special master to oversee individual awards.
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Weinstein's New York rape trial begins as Los Angeles prosecutors file new charges
Jury selection began in Manhattan the same day the Los Angeles County district attorney announced rape and sexual battery charges against Weinstein involving two women.
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California's three-year abuse lawsuit window opens
California's AB 218 lookback window took effect Jan. 1, 2020, allowing thousands of new claims against Catholic dioceses.
December 2019
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Attorney general's investigation of MSU's Nassar handling suspended
Michigan's attorney general halted the state's inquiry into Michigan State after the university refused to release privileged documents.
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Uber to pay $4.4 million to resolve EEOC sexual harassment charge
Uber agreed to a $4.4 million fund for employees after an EEOC investigation found a culture that permitted sexual harassment and retaliation.
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Pope abolishes pontifical secret in abuse cases
Francis lifted pontifical secrecy over abuse cases, allowing church documents to be shared with civil authorities.
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Weinstein and former studio reach tentative $25 million deal with accusers
A tentative global settlement funded by insurers would resolve many civil claims against Weinstein and The Weinstein Company's former board without Weinstein admitting wrongdoing.
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Fox Nation host Britt McHenry sues Fox alleging harassment by co-host
Fox Nation host Britt McHenry sued Fox News alleging sexual harassment by co-host George 'Tyrus' Murdoch and retaliation; Fox and Murdoch disputed the claims.
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Pennsylvania Superior Court upholds Cosby conviction
A state appeals panel rejected Cosby's challenges, including to the testimony of other accusers and the prosecution's handling of a former DA's non-prosecution promise.
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New Jersey litigation window opens with new suits including against McCarrick
As New Jersey's two-year lookback window opened, survivors filed new lawsuits against dioceses and former cardinal Theodore McCarrick.
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Buffalo Bishop Richard Malone resigns over handling of abuse cases
Bishop Richard Malone resigned after revelations that the Diocese of Buffalo kept accused priests off a public list and in ministry.
November 2019
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Wynn Resorts settles derivative suit for $41 million, including $20 million from Steve Wynn
Wynn Resorts agreed to settle a shareholder derivative lawsuit over the board's handling of the allegations, with Steve Wynn paying $20 million and insurers $21 million to the company.
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Sandusky resentenced to the same 30 to 60 years in prison
A visiting judge imposed the same 30-to-60-year prison term at Sandusky's resentencing in Bellefonte.
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Prince Andrew steps back from royal duties over Epstein ties
Prince Andrew announced he would step back from public duties after a widely criticized BBC interview about his friendship with Epstein.
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Jail guards on duty when Epstein died charged with falsifying records
Two Metropolitan Correctional Center guards were charged with falsifying records to cover up that they failed to check on Epstein the night he died.
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Lawsuit says referee warned Jim Jordan about Strauss
A retired wrestling referee alleged in a lawsuit that he told Jordan and head coach Russ Hellickson about Strauss's conduct; Jordan called the claim ridiculous.
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McDonald's fires CEO Steve Easterbrook over relationship with employee
McDonald's ousted Easterbrook for violating company policy by having a consensual relationship with an employee.
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Penn State investigates new abuse allegation against Sandusky
Penn State police logged a report alleging Sandusky sexually assaulted a visitor in the Lasch Football Building between 2000 and 2010; the allegation was unproven.
October 2019
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19 women accused Columbia gynecologist Robert Hadden; plea deal spared prison
The Times reported that despite accusations from 19 women, former Columbia OB-GYN Robert Hadden received a 2016 plea deal with no prison time.
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Los Angeles prosecutors decline Kevin Spacey case after accuser's death
The Los Angeles County district attorney declined to file a sexual battery case against Kevin Spacey because the masseur who accused him had died.
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California governor signs AB 218, opening a window for old child sexual abuse claims
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 218, extending California's statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse and opening a three-year revival window. The law later became the basis for thousands of claims against Los Angeles County.
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Matt Lauer accused of rape by former NBC colleague in Farrow book
A former NBC News employee whose 2017 complaint led to Matt Lauer's firing alleged in Ronan Farrow's book Catch and Kill that Lauer raped her in 2014. Lauer denied the allegation, saying the encounter was consensual.
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California law reopens filing window for Tyndall survivors
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 1510, allowing former patients of Tyndall to revive claims that would otherwise be time-barred; USC had lobbied against the bill.
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Ohio State's annual safety report lists nearly 1,500 Strauss-related incidents
Ohio State's annual campus safety report attributed nearly 1,500 sexual offense reports to Strauss.
September 2019
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Former patients urge UC regents to order independent Heaps investigation
Former patients, including ex-UCLA gymnast Jeanette Antolin, asked the UC Board of Regents for an independent investigation into Heaps.
-
Missouri attorney general refers 12 former clergy for possible prosecution
Attorney General Eric Schmitt's review of Missouri's four dioceses identified 163 accused clergy and referred 12 living former clerics to prosecutors.
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Diocese of Rochester files for bankruptcy after Child Victims Act suits
The Diocese of Rochester became the first New York diocese to file for Chapter 11 protection after a wave of lawsuits under the Child Victims Act.
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MIT Media Lab director Joi Ito resigns over Epstein ties
Joi Ito resigned as director of the MIT Media Lab after reporting showed the lab had sought to conceal its financial relationship with Epstein.
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Education Department fines Michigan State record $4.5 million over Nassar Clery failures
The U.S. Department of Education imposed a $4.5 million fine, the largest ever under the Clery Act, finding Michigan State failed to properly respond to sexual misconduct reports including those involving Nassar.
August 2019
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Criminal case against Epstein formally dismissed after his death
A federal judge dismissed the sex trafficking indictment after Epstein's death, following a hearing where dozens of accusers addressed the court.
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Tyndall released from jail after posting bail
Tyndall was released from custody after posting bail while awaiting trial on the felony charges.
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MIT president acknowledges Epstein donations to the institute
MIT President L. Rafael Reif disclosed that the institute had accepted donations from Epstein and announced it would direct an equivalent sum to charity for survivors.
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Victorian appeals court upholds Pell's convictions
The Court of Appeal dismissed Pell's appeal in a 2-1 decision, keeping him in prison.
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Medical examiner rules Epstein's death a suicide
New York City's chief medical examiner ruled that Epstein died by suicide by hanging; his lawyers disputed the finding.
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Hundreds of child sex abuse lawsuits flood New York courts as window opens
On the first day of the Child Victims Act window, hundreds of lawsuits were filed, many against Catholic dioceses across New York.
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Masterson accusers sue Danny Masterson and Church of Scientology over alleged stalking
Four women who had accused Danny Masterson of rape filed a civil suit alleging Scientology members stalked and harassed them after they reported him to police. Masterson and the church denied the claims.
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New York Child Victims Act opens door to suits against Jehovah's Witnesses leadership
Suits naming the Governing Body were filed under New York's lookback window, alleging elders mishandled abuse reports.
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Accuser sues Epstein estate and staff in New York
An accuser filed suit against Epstein's estate and members of his household staff as New York's Child Victims Act look-back window opened.
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Jeffrey Epstein found dead in federal jail cell
Epstein was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan while awaiting trial, prompting federal investigations into the jail.
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Unsealed court records from Giuffre v. Maxwell detail allegations against Epstein associates
A federal appeals court ordered documents unsealed from Virginia Giuffre's defamation suit against Ghislaine Maxwell, including allegations involving Prince Andrew, which he denied.
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Former MSU dean Strampel sentenced to one year in jail
William Strampel received a one-year jail sentence for misconduct in office and neglect of duty, including failing to enforce restrictions placed on Nassar after a 2014 complaint.
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Les Wexner says Epstein misappropriated vast sums from him
L Brands founder Les Wexner, Epstein's most important financial client, said Epstein had misappropriated large amounts of his family's money and that he had cut ties more than a decade earlier.
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R. Kelly pleads not guilty to federal racketeering charges in New York
Kelly pleaded not guilty in Brooklyn federal court to racketeering and Mann Act charges and was ordered held without bail.
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Nottinghamshire councils failed children in care for decades, inquiry finds
The inquiry found Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County councils exposed children in care to sexual abuse by staff and foster carers over decades.
July 2019
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Pennsylvania Supreme Court declines to review Sandusky decision
The state's highest court declined to hear Sandusky's appeal of the Superior Court ruling that denied him a new trial, leaving resentencing pending.
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Cosby's insurer settles Janice Dickinson defamation suit over his denials
Cosby's insurer, AIG, settled a defamation lawsuit brought by model Janice Dickinson over statements his representatives made dismissing her rape allegation; Cosby's camp objected to the settlement.
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Judge denies Epstein bail in sex trafficking case
A federal judge in Manhattan ordered Epstein held without bail, citing danger to the community and flight risk.
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Massachusetts prosecutors drop sexual assault case against Kevin Spacey
The Cape and Islands district attorney dropped the indecent assault charge against Kevin Spacey after the accuser declined to testify amid a dispute over his missing phone.
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R. Kelly arrested on federal sex crime charges in Chicago and New York
Federal agents arrested Kelly in Chicago on indictments from Illinois and Brooklyn alleging child pornography, obstruction and a racketeering scheme to recruit women and girls for sex.
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Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta resigns over Epstein plea deal
Acosta, who as U.S. attorney in Miami approved the 2008 Epstein agreement, announced his resignation as labor secretary amid mounting criticism.
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UCLA was told of allegations against Heaps in 2014, years before firing
The Times reported UCLA Medical Center received a complaint about Heaps in 2014 but did not move to fire him until 2018; the chancellor apologized and appointed a review committee.
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Judge lowers Tyndall's bail to $1.6 million
A judge reduced Tyndall's bail from $2.1 million to $1.6 million after a hearing in which prosecutors cited evidence seized in the investigation.
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Jeffrey Epstein arrested on federal sex trafficking charges
Epstein was arrested at a New Jersey airport on federal charges brought in Manhattan accusing him of sex trafficking of minors in New York and Florida.
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Tyndall pleads not guilty to sexual abuse charges
Tyndall pleaded not guilty to all 29 felony counts at his arraignment in Los Angeles.
June 2019
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Detectives seek to identify women in videos and photos seized from Tyndall
Authorities said they recovered thousands of videos and photos during the investigation and were working to identify women depicted.
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George Tyndall arrested and charged with 29 felonies involving 16 patients
LAPD arrested Tyndall and Los Angeles County prosecutors charged him with sexual penetration and sexual battery counts involving 16 women treated at the student health center.
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Bryan Singer agrees to $150,000 settlement of sexual assault lawsuit
Bryan Singer agreed to pay $150,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old at a 2003 party, in a settlement reached through bankruptcy proceedings. Singer continued to deny wrongdoing.
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Judge grants preliminary approval of USC's $215 million class settlement
U.S. District Judge Stephen Wilson granted preliminary approval to the federal class-action settlement for Tyndall's former patients.
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Jury convicts former MSU dean William Strampel of misconduct and neglect of duty
A jury found former osteopathic medicine dean William Strampel, Nassar's supervisor, guilty of misconduct in office and willful neglect of duty, while acquitting him of a criminal sexual conduct charge. He was the first MSU official convicted in connection with Nassar.
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Patient sues Heaps and UC regents
A former patient sued Heaps and the University of California regents alleging misconduct during a 2017 appointment; Heaps denied wrongdoing.
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Southern Baptists approve constitutional amendments allowing expulsion of churches over abuse
Messengers at the Birmingham annual meeting voted to make mishandling sexual abuse grounds for removing a church from friendly cooperation.
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Former UCLA gynecologist James Heaps charged with sexual battery
James Heaps, who worked at UCLA for over 30 years, pleaded not guilty to charges involving two patients, and UCLA disclosed it had moved to fire him in 2018.
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Independent commission on French church abuse opens
The Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church (CIASE), led by Jean-Marc Sauvé and commissioned by French bishops, opened a call for testimony.
May 2019
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Cosby drops counterclaims, ending four-year Massachusetts defamation case
Court filings ended the Massachusetts defamation litigation after Cosby abandoned his counterclaims against the seven women, following his insurer's settlement with them the previous month.
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Unsealed records show USC was warned Tyndall could be targeting Asian students
Confidential documents released in litigation showed outside medical reviewers had warned USC that Tyndall might be preying on Asian international students.
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McDonald's faces new wave of sexual harassment charges
Workers filed 25 new complaints and lawsuits alleging sexual harassment at McDonald's restaurants, adding to earlier EEOC charges.
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Gov. DeWine orders review of medical board's handling of Strauss complaints
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine created a working group to examine why the State Medical Board never disciplined Strauss after its 1996 investigation.
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Independent report finds Strauss abused at least 177 students; officials knew
The Perkins Coie report found Strauss abused at least 177 male students from 1979 to 1998 and that university personnel knew of complaints but failed to act.
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Poland proposes tougher penalties for child sex abuse amid church crisis
The ruling party moved to raise penalties for child sexual abuse after the documentary's release.
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New Jersey Gov. Murphy signs law opening two-year window for abuse suits
New Jersey extended its statute of limitations for child sexual abuse and created a two-year window beginning December 2019 for old claims.
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Documentary 'Tell No One' on clergy abuse shakes Poland
A crowdfunded film confronting priests with survivors drew millions of views and intensified pressure on the Polish church.
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Pope issues Vos estis lux mundi requiring abuse reporting
The motu proprio obliged clergy and religious worldwide to report abuse and cover-up and set procedures for investigating bishops.
April 2019
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Massachusetts fines Wynn Resorts $35 million but lets it keep casino license
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission fined Wynn Resorts $35 million and CEO Matt Maddox $500,000 over the handling of allegations against Steve Wynn, while allowing the Everett casino license to stand.
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Federal magistrate judge overturns Spanier's conviction
A day before Spanier was due to report to jail, a federal magistrate judge vacated his conviction, finding he was improperly prosecuted under a law that took effect after the 2001 conduct.
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New York Archdiocese names 120 clergy accused of abuse
The Archdiocese of New York released a list of 120 clergy members credibly accused of sexually abusing minors.
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Twistars gymnastics club settles Nassar lawsuits for $2.1 million
The Michigan gym owned by former Olympic coach John Geddert, where Nassar treated athletes, agreed to a $2.1 million settlement with survivors.
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Expert testifies Boy Scouts files identify 7,819 suspected abusers and more than 12,000 victims
An expert retained by the Boy Scouts testified in a court case that the organization's internal files from 1944 to 2016 identified 7,819 suspected abusers and more than 12,000 alleged victims. Attorneys said they would seek to publicize names of leaders not previously identified.
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New suits filed against USC over Tyndall and men's health doctor Dennis Kelly
Additional lawsuits were filed against USC over two former campus doctors, including claims by at least 30 gay and bisexual men against Dennis Kelly.
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Federal judge delays preliminary approval of $215 million Tyndall settlement
A federal judge held off on preliminary approval of the class settlement, citing questions about how payments would be distributed.
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Los Angeles Times wins Pulitzer Prize for Tyndall investigation
The Times won the Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting for its series exposing Tyndall's conduct and USC's response.
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Cosby's insurer settles Massachusetts defamation suit brought by seven accusers
Insurer AIG agreed to settle a federal defamation suit in Springfield, Massachusetts, by seven women who said Cosby's representatives branded them liars; Cosby said the deal was made without his consent and kept pursuing counterclaims.
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Massachusetts probe finds Wynn executives concealed misconduct allegations for years
A Massachusetts Gaming Commission investigative report found Wynn Resorts executives failed to act on and concealed allegations against Steve Wynn, ahead of a hearing on the company's casino license.
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Questions raised over how much of USC's internal Tyndall investigation will stay secret
The Times reported that the findings of a trustee-commissioned outside investigation into the Tyndall affair might never be made public.
March 2019
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Pope accepts resignation of Santiago Cardinal Ezzati amid cover-up probe
Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati stepped down as archbishop of Santiago while under investigation by Chilean prosecutors for alleged cover-up, which he denied.
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Penn State to receive $733,000 from defunct Second Mile charity
Under an agreement overseen by the state attorney general's office, Penn State was to collect funds from the dissolved Second Mile toward its Sandusky-related costs.
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USC names Carol Folt president as it tries to move past scandals
USC chose former UNC chancellor Carol Folt as its 12th president following Nikias's ouster over the Tyndall scandal.
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State judge orders USC to produce internal Tyndall records
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ordered USC to turn over internal records to attorneys representing hundreds of plaintiffs in the state litigation.
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Polish church study reports hundreds of abusive clergy
The Polish bishops released data showing 382 clergy were accused of abusing 625 minors between 1990 and 2018, figures critics said were incomplete.
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George Pell sentenced to six years in prison
A Victorian judge sentenced Pell to six years in prison for his child sexual abuse convictions.
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French Cardinal Barbarin convicted of failing to report abuse
A Lyon court gave Cardinal Philippe Barbarin a six-month suspended sentence for not reporting abuse by priest Bernard Preynat; he appealed.
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Independent group finds allegations against Bill Hybels credible
An independent advisory group's report called the misconduct allegations credible and faulted church oversight.
February 2019
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Inquiry says children in custody still not safe
An inquiry report on custodial institutions found children in youth detention remained at risk of sexual abuse.
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Nevada regulators fine Wynn Resorts a record $20 million
The Nevada Gaming Commission imposed a record $20 million fine on Wynn Resorts for failing to investigate sexual misconduct allegations against its founder.
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Vatican abuse summit ends with pledge to confront abuse
The four-day Meeting on the Protection of Minors closed with Francis promising decisive action, though survivors said concrete measures were lacking.
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R. Kelly charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in Chicago
Cook County prosecutors charged Kelly with aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving four alleged victims, three of whom were minors at the time. He turned himself in and pleaded not guilty.
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Federal judge rules prosecutors broke law by hiding Epstein deal from victims
U.S. District Judge Kenneth Marra found that federal prosecutors violated the Crime Victims' Rights Act by failing to tell victims about the non-prosecution agreement.
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Gay and bisexual former students sue USC over campus men's health doctor
Former students filed suit alleging sexual misconduct by former USC men's health physician Dennis Kelly, prompting a campus protest over the health center; Kelly denied wrongdoing.
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Vatican defrocks former cardinal Theodore McCarrick over sexual abuse
Pope Francis confirmed a Vatican ruling that found McCarrick guilty under church law of sexually abusing minors and adults and dismissed him from the priesthood, the first cardinal laicized for abuse.
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New York Gov. Cuomo signs Child Victims Act, opening lookback window
New York's Child Victims Act extended the statute of limitations and created a one-year window for survivors to file previously time-barred abuse lawsuits, after years of opposition from the Catholic Church.
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Revised $215 million settlement agreement filed in federal court
USC filed its formal class-action settlement agreement detailing payment tiers and reforms, even as federal regulators continued investigating.
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Southern Baptist leaders vow changes after newspaper abuse investigation
SBC President J.D. Greear and other leaders pledged reforms after the Chronicle series, including reviewing churches named in the reporting.
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Houston Chronicle and Express-News 'Abuse of Faith' finds about 700 victims in Southern Baptist churches
A joint newspaper investigation documented roughly 380 Southern Baptist leaders and volunteers accused of sexual misconduct over 20 years, involving about 700 alleged victims.
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Justice Department opens internal probe into handling of Epstein plea deal
The Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility opened an investigation into how federal prosecutors in Miami handled the 2008 Epstein non-prosecution agreement.
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Appeals court denies Sandusky new trial but orders resentencing
The Superior Court rejected Sandusky's bid for a new trial but ruled his sentence improperly applied mandatory minimums and ordered him resentenced.
January 2019
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Atlantic investigation details new sexual abuse allegations against Bryan Singer
An investigation by The Atlantic reported allegations from several men who said Bryan Singer sexually abused them when they were teenagers. Singer called the report a homophobic smear and denied the claims.
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Oxford grooming gang members handed life sentences
Further members of an Oxford grooming gang received life sentences for raping and abusing a schoolgirl.
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RCA Records and Sony Music drop R. Kelly after docuseries furor
Sony-owned RCA Records parted ways with R. Kelly about two weeks after 'Surviving R. Kelly' aired and amid #MuteRKelly protests and employee pressure.
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John Engler resigns as Michigan State interim president
Engler resigned under pressure after comments about Nassar survivors drew widespread condemnation.
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Multiple investigations reported after 'Surviving R. Kelly' docuseries airs
Following Lifetime's six-part 'Surviving R. Kelly,' Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx urged possible victims to come forward and Fulton County, Georgia, prosecutors reportedly contacted participants. Kelly denied the claims.
December 2018
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Kevin Spacey charged with indecent assault in Nantucket case
Massachusetts prosecutors charged Kevin Spacey with felony indecent assault and battery over a 2016 encounter with an 18-year-old at a Nantucket bar. Spacey denied the charge.
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State Medical Board confirms it holds complaint records on Strauss
The State Medical Board of Ohio confirmed it had records of complaints about Strauss from its 1996 investigation, which never led to discipline.
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CBS denies Les Moonves $120 million severance after board investigation
The CBS board concluded after an outside investigation that it had grounds to fire Les Moonves for cause, including willful failure to cooperate, and denied him a $120 million severance package.
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Cardinal Pell found guilty of historical sexual offences
A Melbourne jury convicted Pell of offences against two choirboys in the 1990s; the verdict was suppressed from publication in Australia until February 2019.
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Pope removes Pell and another cardinal from his advisory council
Pope Francis dropped two cardinals linked to abuse cases, including Pell, from his Council of Cardinals.
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Police found trove of nude images in Tyndall's storage unit, sources say
Investigators reportedly recovered large numbers of images of women from a storage unit tied to Tyndall early in the LAPD probe.
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USA Gymnastics files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
USA Gymnastics filed for bankruptcy protection in Indianapolis, pausing hundreds of lawsuits from Nassar survivors and the USOC decertification process.
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Grand jury convened to hear evidence against ex-USC gynecologist
Los Angeles County prosecutors convened a criminal grand jury to hear evidence about Tyndall's alleged abuse of patients.
November 2018
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Miami Herald series reexamines Epstein's secret 2008 deal and the victims it left behind
The Miami Herald's Perversion of Justice series, with a timeline of the case, detailed how federal prosecutors led by Alexander Acosta negotiated a lenient deal with Epstein and kept victims in the dark.
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Former MSU President Lou Anna Simon charged with lying to police
Simon was charged with lying to state police investigators about what she knew of a 2014 complaint against Nassar. She denied wrongdoing.
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Accusers say more than 20 Ohio State staff knew of Strauss concerns
Plaintiffs alleged in court filings that more than 20 university employees were aware of concerns about Strauss.
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Vatican orders U.S. bishops to delay votes on abuse accountability measures
At the opening of their Baltimore meeting, the USCCB announced that the Vatican had asked it to postpone votes on a code of conduct for bishops and a lay-led misconduct commission.
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U.S. Olympic Committee moves to revoke USA Gymnastics' governing status
The USOC began proceedings to decertify USA Gymnastics as the sport's national governing body over its handling of the Nassar crisis.
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Google employees worldwide walk out over handling of sexual harassment
Thousands of Google employees walked out to protest the company's treatment of executives accused of misconduct and demand an end to forced arbitration.
October 2018
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Report: Google paid Andy Rubin $90 million exit after misconduct claim
A New York Times investigation reported Google paid Android creator Andy Rubin a $90 million exit package after finding a misconduct claim against him credible. Rubin denied the allegation.
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Ireland decides to exhume remains at Tuam mass grave
The Irish government approved a forensic excavation of the Tuam site so children's remains could be identified and reburied.
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USC agrees to tentative $215 million class-action settlement with Tyndall patients
USC announced a proposed $215 million federal class-action settlement covering former patients of Tyndall, with tiered payments and campus reforms.
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More than 250 women file state-court suits against USC, rejecting class deal
Attorneys for more than 250 former Tyndall patients filed lawsuits in state court and criticized the proposed federal settlement.
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Justice Department opens federal investigation into clergy abuse in Pennsylvania dioceses
Federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania served subpoenas on Catholic dioceses across the state, opening the first known federal investigation into clergy sexual abuse and its concealment in the wake of the grand jury report.
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Former USA Gymnastics CEO Steve Penny arrested on evidence tampering charge
Penny was arrested on a Texas indictment accusing him of removing documents from the Karolyi Ranch related to the Nassar investigation.
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Pope defrocks two retired Chilean bishops over abuse
Francis laicized two retired Chilean bishops accused of abusing minors, a rare sanction against bishops.
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Prosecutors drop one count in Weinstein criminal case
A judge dismissed one sexual assault count at prosecutors' request after questions arose about the investigation, while the remaining charges stood.
September 2018
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California bans secret settlements in sexual harassment and assault cases
Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB 820 and other #MeToo-era bills, barring confidentiality provisions that hide facts about sexual assault and harassment in settlement agreements.
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Vatican defrocks Chilean priest Fernando Karadima
Pope Francis expelled Karadima from the priesthood, years after a church tribunal found he had abused minors.
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Montana jury orders Jehovah's Witnesses to pay $35 million in abuse cover-up case
A jury found the church liable for failing to report a member's abuse of a child and awarded about $35 million.
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Fox settles remaining claims in Scottie Nell Hughes retaliation suit
Hughes settled her remaining retaliation claims with Fox for an undisclosed amount after a judge earlier dismissed her assault claim and other counts.
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Judge approves $210 million settlement in Twin Cities archdiocese bankruptcy
A federal bankruptcy judge approved a $210 million plan to compensate more than 450 clergy abuse survivors of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
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German bishops' MHG study documents thousands of abuse cases
A church-commissioned study found 3,677 children were abused by 1,670 clergy between 1946 and 2014 and that records had been destroyed or manipulated.
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Cosby sentenced to 3 to 10 years in state prison, labeled sexually violent predator
A Montgomery County judge sentenced Cosby to three to 10 years in state prison and designated him a sexually violent predator; he was taken into custody immediately.
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McDonald's workers vote to strike over sexual harassment
Workers in multiple cities voted to hold a one-day strike demanding that McDonald's address sexual harassment at its restaurants.
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Pope summons world's bishops to summit on clerical abuse
Francis called the presidents of all bishops' conferences to Rome for a February 2019 meeting on protecting minors.
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New allegations against Les Moonves emerge in second New Yorker report
A follow-up report detailed accounts from six additional women accusing Les Moonves of sexual misconduct, as CBS negotiated his exit.
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Les Moonves resigns as CBS chairman and CEO
Les Moonves stepped down from CBS hours after new allegations were published; CBS and Moonves pledged $20 million to groups supporting the #MeToo movement, deducted from any severance.
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SafeSport bans two-time Olympic taekwondo champion Steven Lopez for life
The U.S. Center for SafeSport declared Steven Lopez permanently ineligible after a misconduct investigation, following a similar lifetime ban against his brother Jean. Lopez could appeal and was not criminally charged.
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Judge denies Nassar's request for a new sentencing hearing
An Eaton County judge rejected Nassar's bid for resentencing and a new judge, which argued his sentences were tainted by bias.
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USC restructures student health center in wake of Tyndall scandal
USC leaders described staffing and oversight changes at the Engemann Student Health Center aimed at rebuilding student trust.
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USA Gymnastics CEO Kerry Perry resigns after nine months
Kerry Perry resigned as USA Gymnastics president and CEO under pressure from the U.S. Olympic Committee and survivors, who criticized her handling of the organization's recovery from the Nassar scandal.
August 2018
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Tyndall's medical license suspended pending state medical board decision
Tyndall was barred from practicing medicine while the Medical Board of California weighed a final decision on his license.
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Pope Francis visits Ireland amid anger over clergy abuse
Francis traveled to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families as survivors and politicians pressed him on decades of abuse and cover-up.
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Federal civil rights office opens review of Ohio State's Strauss response
The U.S. Education Department's Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation into how Ohio State handled complaints about Strauss under Title IX.
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Olympians Kyla Ross and Madison Kocian say Nassar abused them
Two members of U.S. Olympic teams said publicly that they were also among Nassar's victims.
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Pennsylvania grand jury report says more than 300 priests abused over 1,000 children in six dioceses
A statewide grand jury report released by the Pennsylvania attorney general identified more than 300 accused priests and over 1,000 child victims across six dioceses over seven decades. It concluded that church leaders systematically covered up the abuse.
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Inquiry finds 'appalling' abuse at Ampleforth and Downside schools
The inquiry's report on two Benedictine boarding schools found monks and staff abused pupils over decades and that the institutions prioritised reputations over children.
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IICSA report damns culture of acceptance of abuse at Ampleforth and Downside
The inquiry found the Benedictine schools prioritized monks and reputation over pupils, allowing abusers to continue for decades.
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Willow Creek lead pastor and elders resign over handling of Hybels allegations
The church's leadership stepped down, acknowledging they had mishandled the allegations.
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Nikias formally steps down; Wanda Austin becomes interim USC president
Nikias left the presidency earlier than planned after calls to hasten his departure, with trustee Wanda Austin named interim president.
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Texts show former Ohio State coach urged Jordan accusers to recant
NBC News reported text messages in which former head wrestling coach Russ Hellickson urged former wrestlers to retract statements about Jordan.
July 2018
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Ten more former students sue Ohio State over Strauss
Ten additional former students filed suit alleging Ohio State failed to stop abuse by Strauss.
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New Yorker reports misconduct allegations against CBS chief Les Moonves
A Ronan Farrow investigation reported that six women accused CBS chief executive Les Moonves of sexual harassment or intimidation and described a wider culture of misconduct at CBS; the board said it would investigate. Moonves acknowledged past advances but denied misusing his position.
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51 more Tyndall patients sue USC as board chairman pledges expedited inquiry
Fifty-one additional women filed suit against USC and Tyndall, and trustees chairman Rick Caruso said the university's internal investigation would be expedited.
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Jim Jordan interviewed by investigators in Strauss inquiry
Rep. Jim Jordan was interviewed by the Perkins Coie investigators examining Strauss's conduct.
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New lawsuit against Ohio State over Strauss names Jim Jordan
A federal lawsuit by former students over Strauss's alleged abuse referenced Jordan among coaches who allegedly knew of complaints.
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Tyndall retains high-profile criminal defense attorney
Tyndall hired prominent Los Angeles defense lawyer Leonard Levine as police continued their investigation and civil suits mounted.
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House Speaker Paul Ryan defends Jim Jordan amid Strauss allegations
Speaker Paul Ryan called Jordan a man of integrity and discouraged a House Ethics inquiry into whether he knew of the abuse.
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Ex-athletes describe years of alleged misconduct by Ohio State doctor
Former Ohio State athletes described alleged abuse by Strauss spanning years, and said complaints were widely known in athletic facilities.
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New voyeurism claims at Ohio State facility test Jordan's denials
Former wrestlers described a pattern of harassment and voyeurism at Larkins Hall, adding pressure on Rep. Jim Jordan's denials.
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Former Fox executive Bill Shine named White House communications chief
Shine, who left Fox amid criticism of how he handled harassment complaints under Ailes, was appointed to a senior White House communications post.
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Jim Jordan denies knowing of Strauss abuse
Rep. Jim Jordan said no athlete ever reported abuse to him and denied any knowledge of misconduct by Strauss.
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Former wrestlers allege Rep. Jim Jordan ignored Strauss abuse as assistant coach
Former Ohio State wrestlers alleged that U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, an assistant wrestling coach from 1986 to 1994, knew of Strauss's conduct and did not act. Jordan has denied the allegations.
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Weinstein indicted on additional charges involving a third woman
Prosecutors added charges including predatory sexual assault, which carries a potential life sentence, based on an allegation from a third woman.
June 2018
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Strauss inquiry expanded to include examinations of high school students
Investigators broadened the Strauss probe to cover examinations he performed on high school students.
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Spanier loses state appeal of child endangerment conviction
A Pennsylvania Superior Court panel upheld Spanier's misdemeanor conviction.
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At least 200 former students join lawsuits against USC over Tyndall
The number of former students suing USC grew to at least 200, alleging the university ignored warnings about Tyndall for nearly 30 years.
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Cardinal Theodore McCarrick removed from public ministry after abuse allegation found credible
The Vatican ordered retired Washington Archbishop Theodore McCarrick out of public ministry after an Archdiocese of New York review board found credible a decades-old allegation that he abused a teenage altar server. McCarrick denied the allegation.
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LAPD serves search warrants at ex-USC gynecologist's home and storage unit
Police detectives searched Tyndall's Los Angeles home and a storage facility as part of the criminal investigation into allegations from former patients.
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Eight more members of Oxford grooming ring jailed
Eight men were jailed for sexual offences against girls in Oxford in a follow-up phase of the Bullfinch investigation.
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Pope accepts resignations of Barros and two other Chilean bishops
Francis accepted the first three resignations, including that of Bishop Barros of Osorno.
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Federal Education Department opens investigation into USC's handling of Tyndall complaints
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights began investigating whether USC violated Title IX in responding to complaints about its campus gynecologist.
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Former USA Gymnastics chief Steve Penny invokes the Fifth before Senate panel
At a Senate subcommittee hearing on the Nassar case, Penny declined to answer questions, while Lou Anna Simon and other officials testified.
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Weinstein pleads not guilty to rape and sex abuse charges
Weinstein entered a not guilty plea in Manhattan court, and his lawyer said he would seek to have the case dismissed.
May 2018
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Manhattan grand jury indicts Weinstein on rape and sex crime charges
A grand jury returned an indictment against Weinstein on rape and criminal sexual act charges, formalizing the case brought by the Manhattan district attorney.
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USC President C.L. Max Nikias agrees to step down
USC's board of trustees announced that Nikias would step down as president amid mounting pressure over the university's handling of the Tyndall complaints.
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More women sue USC as Tyndall defends himself in letter to The Times
Fourteen more women filed lawsuits alleging Tyndall abused them during exams and that USC ignored complaints, while Tyndall denied wrongdoing in a letter to the newspaper.
-
Harvey Weinstein surrenders to New York police and is charged with rape
Weinstein turned himself in at a Manhattan precinct and was charged with rape and a criminal sexual act involving two women; he was released on $1 million bail.
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About 300 former patients come forward as LAPD begins Tyndall investigation
Roughly 300 people contacted USC about Tyndall and the university began sharing patient information with the Los Angeles Police Department, which opened a criminal investigation.
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Records show students warned USC about gynecologist early in his career
Former patients said they complained to USC about Tyndall as early as the 1990s, suggesting the university missed early chances to act.
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USC Academic Senate calls on Nikias to resign
USC's faculty governing body voted to call for President Nikias's resignation following the Tyndall revelations and a series of other campus scandals.
-
Ohio State president emails alumni seeking information on Strauss
President Michael Drake contacted more than 100,000 alumni asking anyone with information about Strauss to contact the investigators.
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Archbishop Philip Wilson found guilty of concealing child sexual abuse
Adelaide's archbishop became the most senior Catholic cleric convicted of concealing abuse, over a priest's crimes in the 1970s in New South Wales.
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200 USC professors demand President Nikias resign over Tyndall handling
Two hundred USC faculty members signed a letter calling for President C.L. Max Nikias to step down, while the board of trustees initially expressed confidence in him.
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USC fires two health clinic supervisors amid gynecologist scandal
USC dismissed two supervisors at its student health center over their handling of complaints about Tyndall as reports from former patients poured in.
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All of Chile's bishops offer their resignations
Following meetings with the pope in Rome, all 34 active Chilean bishops tendered their resignations over abuse and cover-up.
-
Fox News pays $10 million to settle 18 discrimination and harassment suits
Fox News paid about $10 million to resolve 18 race and gender discrimination claims brought by current and former employees.
-
Michigan State agrees to $500 million settlement with Nassar survivors
MSU agreed to pay $500 million to settle claims from 332 people, the largest settlement of its kind involving a university.
-
LA Times reveals USC let gynecologist keep treating students despite years of complaints
A Los Angeles Times investigation reported that USC received complaints for decades about campus gynecologist George Tyndall's conduct toward young women but allowed him to keep practicing and quietly let him resign in 2017 without reporting him to the medical board.
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Former USC students describe decades of troubling conduct by campus gynecologist
Former patients spanning several decades told the Times about inappropriate comments and examinations by Tyndall, broadening the account of his time at the student health center.
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Boy Scouts lobby state legislatures against lookback windows for old child abuse claims
The Boy Scouts hired lobbyists in states including New York, Georgia and Michigan as legislators weighed windows reviving expired child sex abuse claims. The group said it opposed open-ended lookback periods because old cases are hard to defend.
-
NBC internal review of Lauer finds no evidence news leadership knew of misconduct
An NBC Universal internal investigation concluded that senior news executives were not aware of complaints about Matt Lauer before November 2017 and found no culture of harassment, a finding critics questioned because it was not independent.
-
Bankruptcy judge approves sale of Weinstein Company assets to Lantern Capital
A Delaware bankruptcy judge approved the sale of the studio's film and television assets to Lantern Capital Partners for roughly $289 million.
-
Former taekwondo athletes sue Lopez brothers, USA Taekwondo and USOC over alleged abuse
Four former elite athletes sued coach Jean Lopez, Olympic champion Steven Lopez, USA Taekwondo and the U.S. Olympic Committee, alleging sexual abuse and that the organizations ignored complaints. Jean Lopez had been banned by SafeSport the previous month and denied wrongdoing.
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Strauss investigation widens as more former athletes from several sports come forward
Ohio State said additional allegations against Strauss had emerged from athletes in multiple sports, and outside law firm Perkins Coie was leading the independent investigation.
April 2018
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Temple University rescinds Bill Cosby's honorary degree after conviction
Temple's board voted to revoke the honorary degree it awarded Cosby, joining numerous other colleges that withdrew honors after his conviction.
-
Bill Cosby convicted on three counts of aggravated indecent assault at retrial
A jury in Norristown, Pennsylvania, found Cosby guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004, making him the first celebrity convicted in the #MeToo era.
-
Warner Bros. declines to renew $450 million co-financing deal with Ratner's RatPac
Warner Bros. let its co-financing agreement with RatPac Entertainment expire and said it had no plans to work with Ratner again.
-
Inquiry publishes report on Rochdale and Cyril Smith-era institutions
The inquiry found Rochdale council failed boys abused at Knowl View school and Cambridge House hostel and criticised the handling of allegations against MP Cyril Smith.
-
Bill Hybels steps down from Willow Creek after misconduct allegations
Hybels retired early weeks after a Tribune investigation reported allegations of inappropriate conduct with women, which he denied.
-
Prosecutors disclose Cosby paid Constand nearly $3.4 million in 2006 civil settlement
During opening statements at the retrial, prosecutors revealed that Cosby paid about $3.38 million to settle Constand's civil lawsuit in 2006.
-
Pope admits grave errors in handling Chile abuse crisis
After reading Scicluna's report, Francis wrote to Chile's bishops acknowledging serious mistakes caused by a lack of truthful information and summoned them to Rome.
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Ohio State opens investigation into abuse claims against late team doctor Richard Strauss
Ohio State announced an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by Richard Strauss, a former wrestling team physician who died in 2005, and asked former students and coaches to come forward.
March 2018
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Former Missionary Training Center president accused of sexual assault
A woman alleged that Joseph L. Bishop, a former MTC president, assaulted her in the 1980s; he was not criminally charged.
-
Weinstein Company files for bankruptcy and releases accusers from nondisclosure agreements
The Weinstein Company filed for Chapter 11 protection in Delaware with a stalking-horse bid from Lantern Capital and said it was ending nondisclosure agreements that had kept accusers silent.
-
Judge allows five additional accusers to testify at Cosby retrial
The trial judge ruled that five other women could testify about alleged prior misconduct at Cosby's retrial, a significant expansion from the single additional accuser allowed in the first trial.
-
Sunday Mirror alleges up to 1,000 girls exploited in Telford
A Sunday Mirror investigation alleged that as many as 1,000 girls may have been abused in Telford over decades, prompting calls for an independent inquiry.
-
Aly Raisman sues U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics
Raisman filed suit alleging the USOC and USA Gymnastics knew or should have known about Nassar's abuse and failed to stop it.
February 2018
-
USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun resigns amid Nassar fallout
Scott Blackmun stepped down as CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee, citing health problems, as the committee faced criticism over its response to the Nassar abuse.
-
Orange County Register reports USA Swimming ignored hundreds of abuse cases
An Orange County Register investigation alleged that top USA Swimming officials knew of sexual abuse by coaches dating to the 1980s and failed to act, affecting hundreds of swimmers.
-
Trump signs Safe Sport Act requiring Olympic bodies to report abuse
The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act became law, requiring amateur sports bodies to promptly report abuse allegations and authorizing the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
-
New York attorney general sues Weinstein Company and Harvey and Bob Weinstein
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a civil rights suit alleging the company failed to protect employees from Harvey Weinstein's harassment, derailing a pending sale of the studio.
-
Michigan State moves to fire former medical dean William Strampel
MSU began proceedings to fire William Strampel, Nassar's former dean at the College of Osteopathic Medicine, over his oversight of Nassar.
-
Steve Wynn resigns as CEO and chairman of Wynn Resorts
Steve Wynn resigned from Wynn Resorts amid the misconduct allegations, saying he could not be effective in an atmosphere of negative publicity while continuing to deny the claims.
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Nassar sentenced to 40 to 125 years in Eaton County
Judge Janice Cunningham imposed a third prison sentence on Nassar for abuse at the Twistars gym, concluding his criminal cases.
January 2018
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Pope sends Archbishop Scicluna to investigate Chile abuse claims
The Vatican dispatched its top abuse investigator to gather testimony about Barros and the Karadima circle.
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Former governor John Engler named interim MSU president
Michigan State trustees chose former Michigan governor John Engler as interim president following Simon's resignation, a choice some survivors opposed.
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House passes Safe Sport bill on mandatory abuse reporting
The House approved the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act, which became law in February 2018.
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Steve Wynn resigns as Republican National Committee finance chair
A day after the Journal report, Steve Wynn stepped down as finance chairman of the Republican National Committee.
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ESPN reports pattern of denial and inaction at Michigan State
An Outside the Lines investigation reported that Michigan State had a broader pattern of mishandling sexual assault complaints across its athletics programs.
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Michigan attorney general launches investigation into MSU
Michigan's attorney general announced an independent investigation into how Michigan State handled complaints about Nassar.
-
WSJ reports dozens of people alleged sexual misconduct by casino mogul Steve Wynn
A Wall Street Journal investigation described a pattern of alleged sexual misconduct by Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn toward employees, including a reported $7.5 million settlement. Wynn denied the allegations.
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Entire USA Gymnastics board agrees to resign after USOC demand
The remaining USA Gymnastics directors agreed to step down after the U.S. Olympic Committee threatened to decertify the organization.
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Nassar sentenced to 40 to 175 years in state prison
Judge Aquilina sentenced Nassar to 40 to 175 years in prison in Ingham County after a week of survivor testimony.
-
Michigan State President Lou Anna Simon resigns
Simon resigned under pressure from lawmakers, survivors and faculty over the university's handling of complaints about Nassar.
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Top USA Gymnastics board members resign
USA Gymnastics' chairman, vice chairman and treasurer resigned amid mounting criticism during Nassar's sentencing hearing.
-
Pope's defense of Bishop Barros causes outrage
Francis said accusations against Barros were slander absent proof, angering survivors; he later apologized for the remark.
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Olympian Jordyn Wieber says she was also abused by Nassar
Olympic gold medalist Jordyn Wieber disclosed in court during the sentencing hearing that Nassar had abused her.
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Detroit News: at least 14 MSU representatives were warned about Nassar
A Detroit News investigation found that at least 14 Michigan State employees, including coaches and trainers, received reports about Nassar over two decades, and that President Lou Anna Simon was told of a 2014 complaint.
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USA Gymnastics cuts ties with Karolyi Ranch training center
USA Gymnastics ended its agreement to use the Karolyi Ranch in Texas as the national team training center, where athletes said Nassar abused them.
-
Nassar sentencing hearing opens with victim impact statements
Judge Rosemarie Aquilina opened a multi-day sentencing hearing in Ingham County at which more than 150 survivors ultimately gave statements.
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Simone Biles says she was abused by Nassar
Four-time Olympic champion Simone Biles said she was among the athletes abused by Nassar and called for accountability from USA Gymnastics.
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Penn State settles suit alleging Sandusky abuse in 2007
Penn State settled a lawsuit by an anonymous plaintiff who alleged Sandusky abused him in 2007, shortly before the case was set for trial.
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Maggie Nichols says she was first to report Nassar to USA Gymnastics
Elite gymnast Maggie Nichols revealed she was the athlete whose 2015 report first alerted USA Gymnastics to Nassar, and said she was discouraged from speaking out.
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USA Volleyball expels prominent youth coach Rick Butler for life
Rick Butler, founder of a major Illinois youth volleyball club, said USA Volleyball had banned him for life amid renewed allegations that he sexually abused underage players in the 1980s. Butler denied abusing anyone and was never criminally charged.
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Hollywood women launch Time's Up initiative and legal defense fund
More than 300 women in entertainment launched Time's Up, an initiative against workplace sexual harassment that included a legal defense fund for workers in many industries.
December 2017
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Maroney lawsuit says USA Gymnastics used a confidentiality deal to silence her
McKayla Maroney sued USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic Committee and Michigan State, alleging a 2016 settlement with a nondisclosure clause was used to keep her abuse quiet.
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Cardinal Bernard Law, central figure in Boston abuse scandal, dies at 86
Cardinal Bernard Law, who resigned as Boston archbishop in 2002 over his handling of abusive priests, died in Rome.
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Royal commission final report; church leaders reject key recommendations
The royal commission's final report made hundreds of recommendations, including on the confessional seal and celibacy, which Catholic leaders rejected.
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West Virginia families sue church alleging leaders concealed abuse by convicted member
Six families alleged church leaders knew Michael Jensen, convicted in 2013, was abusing children and failed to act; the church denied tolerating abuse.
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Nassar sentenced to 60 years in federal prison on child pornography counts
A federal judge sentenced Nassar to the maximum 60 years in prison on the child pornography charges, to be served before any state sentences.
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Netflix fires Danny Masterson from 'The Ranch' amid rape allegations
Netflix wrote actor Danny Masterson out of The Ranch after several women accused him of rape and alleged the LAPD investigation had stalled. Masterson denied the allegations.
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20th Century Fox fires Bryan Singer as director of 'Bohemian Rhapsody'
Fox removed Bryan Singer from the Queen biopic mid-production, citing his absences from set, days before a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault was filed. Singer disputed the studio's account.
November 2017
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NBC fires 'Today' anchor Matt Lauer over sexual misconduct complaint
NBC News fired longtime Today co-anchor Matt Lauer after a colleague filed a detailed complaint of inappropriate sexual behavior, saying it had reason to believe it was not an isolated incident.
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Nassar pleads guilty to three more sexual assault counts in Eaton County
Nassar pleaded guilty to three additional counts in Eaton County related to abuse at the Twistars gymnastics club.
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Nassar pleads guilty to criminal sexual conduct in Ingham County
Nassar pleaded guilty to seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Ingham County, admitting to abusing patients under the guise of treatment.
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21st Century Fox agrees to $90 million shareholder settlement and workplace council
Fox settled a shareholder derivative suit over board oversight of harassment for $90 million and agreed to create a Fox News Workplace Professionalism and Inclusion Council.
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Gabby Douglas says she was also abused by Nassar
Olympic all-around champion Gabby Douglas said she too had been abused by the national team doctor.
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Senate passes bill requiring amateur sports bodies to report sexual abuse
The Senate passed legislation requiring Olympic governing bodies and their members to promptly report suspected abuse and strengthening the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
-
Penn State's Sandusky-related costs exceed a quarter-billion dollars
New payments of about $16 million raised Penn State's total settlements with Sandusky claimants to about $109 million, and overall scandal costs to more than $250 million.
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Olympic captain Aly Raisman says she was abused by Nassar
Two-time Olympic team captain Aly Raisman said publicly that Nassar abused her and criticized USA Gymnastics' response.
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Report says Weinstein hired private intelligence firms to monitor accusers and journalists
A follow-up New Yorker report alleged Weinstein used private investigators, including an Israeli intelligence firm, to gather information on accusers and reporters in an effort to suppress the stories.
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McQueary ends whistleblower lawsuit after settlement with Penn State
McQueary and Penn State resolved his litigation, ending appeals of the roughly $12 million judgment; terms were not immediately disclosed.
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Netflix cuts ties with Kevin Spacey, drops him from 'House of Cards'
Netflix said it would no longer work with Kevin Spacey and would not move forward with House of Cards involving him, as further misconduct allegations emerged from people who worked on the show.
-
Brett Ratner steps away from Warner Bros. projects after allegations
Ratner said he and his RatPac-Dune company would step back from Warner Bros.-related activity, and a planned Hugh Hefner biopic was put on hold.
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Six women accuse director Brett Ratner of sexual harassment and misconduct
A Los Angeles Times report detailed allegations by six women, including actresses Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge, against director and producer Brett Ratner, who denied them through his attorney.
October 2017
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Kevin Spacey accused by Anthony Rapp of advance when Rapp was 14; Spacey apologizes
Actor Anthony Rapp publicly alleged that Kevin Spacey made a sexual advance toward him in 1986, when Rapp was a teenager. Spacey said he did not remember the encounter and apologized.
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Dozens of women accuse director James Toback of sexual harassment
Following a Los Angeles Times report, 38 women accused writer-director James Toback of sexual harassment spanning decades; he denied the allegations.
-
Report: O'Reilly settled analyst's harassment claim for $32 million before contract renewal
The Times reported O'Reilly paid about $32 million in January 2017 to settle claims by a longtime Fox legal analyst, and that Fox renewed his contract weeks later knowing of the deal.
-
Judge denies Sandusky's bid for a new trial under post-conviction law
After hearings on claims of ineffective counsel and other issues, a judge rejected Sandusky's post-conviction petition for a new trial.
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Olympic champion McKayla Maroney says Nassar abused her
Olympic gold medalist McKayla Maroney said in a #MeToo post that Nassar abused her for years, beginning when she was on the national team.
-
Harvey Weinstein resigns from Weinstein Company board
Weinstein stepped down from the board of the company he co-founded, cutting his last formal role there.
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#MeToo goes viral as women share experiences in wake of Weinstein revelations
Actress Alyssa Milano invited people who had experienced sexual harassment or assault to reply 'me too,' and the hashtag, building on activist Tarana Burke's earlier campaign, spread to millions of posts amid the Weinstein coverage.
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Motion Picture Academy expels Harvey Weinstein
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences board voted to expel Weinstein, an unusual step for the organization that oversees the Oscars.
-
NYPD opens review of sexual assault allegations against Weinstein
The New York Police Department said it was reviewing allegations against Weinstein, and London police also began examining a complaint.
-
New Yorker report adds allegations of sexual assault against Weinstein
A New Yorker investigation by Ronan Farrow included accounts from multiple women alleging sexual assault, including rape, by Weinstein, as more actresses came forward with their own accounts.
-
Weinstein Company board fires co-founder Harvey Weinstein
The Weinstein Company's board terminated Harvey Weinstein, citing new information about his conduct that had emerged in the preceding days.
-
NYT investigation reveals decades of harassment allegations and settlements involving Harvey Weinstein
The New York Times reported that Harvey Weinstein had faced harassment allegations over nearly three decades and had reached private settlements with several accusers; actress Ashley Judd was among those who spoke on the record.
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Harvey Weinstein announces leave of absence from his company after harassment report
Following the Times report, Weinstein said he would take a leave from The Weinstein Company, while his lawyers disputed parts of the story.
September 2017
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Commentator Scottie Nell Hughes sues Fox, alleging rape by host Charles Payne
Political commentator Scottie Nell Hughes sued Fox News alleging Fox Business host Charles Payne sexually assaulted her and the network retaliated after she ended their relationship. Payne denied the allegations.
-
Eric Bolling leaves Fox News after harassment investigation
Fox News and Bolling agreed to part ways following the network's investigation into the allegations against him.
August 2017
-
Fox News suspends host Eric Bolling over alleged lewd messages
Fox suspended Bolling pending an investigation into a report that he sent an explicit photo to female colleagues. Bolling denied the allegation.
July 2017
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BuzzFeed report alleges R. Kelly holds young women in controlling 'cult'
A BuzzFeed News investigation by journalist Jim DeRogatis reported parents' claims that Kelly kept young women isolated in homes in Atlanta and Chicago under strict control. Kelly's lawyer denied the allegations.
-
Curley and Schultz report to jail
The two former administrators surrendered at the Centre County Correctional Facility to begin their sentences.
-
Nassar pleads guilty to federal child pornography charges
Nassar pleaded guilty in federal court in Grand Rapids to three child pornography counts as part of a plea agreement.
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Fox Business suspends host Charles Payne over harassment allegation
Fox Business Network suspended anchor Charles Payne while it investigated a sexual harassment allegation from a former political commentator. Payne acknowledged a past affair but denied harassment.
June 2017
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Paterno family drops lawsuit against the NCAA
Paterno's estate, his son Jay and a former assistant discontinued their suit against the NCAA over its use of the Freeh Report; the NCAA said no payment was made.
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Cardinal George Pell charged with historical sexual offences
Victoria Police charged Pell, the Vatican's finance chief, with historical sexual offences; he denied the allegations and took leave to fight them.
-
Travis Kalanick resigns as Uber CEO under investor pressure
Kalanick resigned as chief executive after major investors demanded he step down amid scandals including the company's handling of harassment.
-
Cosby trial ends in mistrial after jury deadlocks
A judge declared a mistrial in Cosby's first criminal trial after jurors deadlocked following six days of deliberations; prosecutors said they would retry the case.
-
Holder report urges sweeping changes as Kalanick takes leave
Uber released recommendations from Eric Holder's review calling for broad workplace and governance reforms, and Kalanick announced a leave of absence.
-
Uber fires more than 20 employees after harassment investigation
Uber dismissed more than 20 employees following a law firm's review of complaints including sexual harassment.
-
Spanier, Curley and Schultz sentenced to jail terms
A judge sentenced the three former administrators to jail terms of at least two months each, followed by house arrest, for failing to alert authorities about the 2001 allegation.
May 2017
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Former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes dies at 77
Ailes died less than a year after his ouster over harassment allegations, which he had denied; several related lawsuits remained pending.
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Accusers testify against Nassar at preliminary examination
Three women testified at a preliminary hearing in Ingham County, after which Nassar was ordered to stand trial on state sexual assault charges.
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Fox News co-president Bill Shine resigns amid scrutiny of harassment handling
Shine, a longtime Ailes deputy criticized in lawsuits for his handling of harassment complaints, resigned as co-president of Fox News.
April 2017
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Federal probe of Fox News expands to include postal inspectors
The Justice Department inquiry into Fox News was reported to have broadened beyond Ailes-era harassment settlements, with Postal Inspection Service financial investigators involved.
-
Bill O'Reilly ousted from Fox News after harassment allegations
21st Century Fox ended O'Reilly's tenure after a review of harassment allegations and an advertiser exodus from his top-rated show.
-
New lawsuits against Nassar and MSU include allegations dating to 1992
Four more complaints were filed in the growing civil litigation against Nassar, Michigan State and others, with one alleging abuse as early as 1992.
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New U.S. Center for SafeSport opens and begins investigating Olympic-sport abuse reports
The independent U.S. Center for SafeSport, created after abuse scandals in USA Swimming and other sports, opened in March 2017 and quickly took on 21 misconduct cases. It was given authority to investigate and impose sanctions binding on national governing bodies.
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Michigan board suspends Nassar's medical license
Michigan's osteopathic medicine licensing board revoked Nassar's medical license for at least three years while criminal cases were pending.
-
Wave of advertisers abandons O'Reilly's Fox News show
Dozens of companies said they were cancelling or suspending ads on The O'Reilly Factor as the boycott over harassment settlements widened.
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Advertisers pull ads from The O'Reilly Factor after harassment settlement report
Mercedes-Benz and other brands pulled advertising from Bill O'Reilly's show after reporting on settlements paid over harassment claims against him. O'Reilly denied the allegations.
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Times report finds $13 million in settlements tied to Bill O'Reilly
A New York Times investigation found that O'Reilly or Fox had paid about $13 million to settle claims from five women accusing him of harassment or inappropriate behavior. O'Reilly denied wrongdoing.
March 2017
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Senate Judiciary hearing hears gymnasts testify on abuse in Olympic sports
Former gymnasts including Olympians Dominique Moceanu and Jamie Dantzscher testified at a Senate Judiciary hearing on protecting young athletes, describing abuse by Nassar and institutional failures. The hearing supported legislation on mandatory reporting.
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Jury convicts Graham Spanier of one count of child endangerment
A Dauphin County jury found former president Spanier guilty of a misdemeanor child endangerment count over his handling of the 2001 report, while acquitting him of conspiracy and a second endangerment count.
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USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny resigns
Steve Penny resigned as president and CEO of USA Gymnastics under pressure from the U.S. Olympic Committee over the organization's handling of abuse complaints.
-
Curley and Schultz plead guilty to misdemeanor child endangerment
Former athletic director Tim Curley and former vice president Gary Schultz pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of children, and agreed to testify at Spanier's trial.
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Significant quantities of infant remains found at former Tuam home
The state commission confirmed test excavations found significant human remains in underground chambers at the former Tuam mother and baby home.
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Judge orders release of USA Gymnastics sexual misconduct complaint files
A judge granted the IndyStar's request to unseal USA Gymnastics files on complaints against coaches, showing how the organization handled years of allegations.
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Survivor Marie Collins quits Vatican abuse commission citing resistance
Collins resigned, saying Vatican offices resisted the commission's recommendations.
February 2017
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Nassar faces 22 additional sexual assault charges in Michigan
Michigan prosecutors filed 22 more counts of criminal sexual conduct against Nassar in Ingham and Eaton counties, involving patients he treated at MSU and a local gym.
-
Uber orders investigation led by Eric Holder into harassment claims
CEO Travis Kalanick announced an urgent investigation into the allegations, later led by former Attorney General Eric Holder.
-
Former Uber engineer Susan Fowler says company ignored harassment reports
Former engineer Susan Fowler published an account alleging Uber's HR department ignored her reports of sexual harassment by a manager.
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Former national team gymnasts describe Nassar abuse on 60 Minutes
Former U.S. national team gymnasts, including Olympian Jamie Dantzscher, publicly alleged on 60 Minutes that Nassar abused them and that the national team environment enabled it.
-
Royal commission data shows Australian church paid $276m to abuse victims
Hearings revealed thousands of claims against Catholic institutions and that about 7% of priests between 1950 and 2010 were alleged perpetrators.
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USA Gymnastics says it alerted the FBI to Nassar in 2015
USA Gymnastics disclosed that it reported concerns about Nassar to the FBI in mid-2015, more than a year before he was publicly accused, raising questions about the bureau's handling.
-
Federal prosecutors investigate Fox News over Ailes-era settlement payments
The U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan was reported to be examining whether Fox News properly disclosed harassment settlement payments to investors.
-
MSU gymnasts say they were told not to talk to police about Nassar
A Michigan State gymnast alleged that team members were discouraged from speaking to police investigating Nassar, raising questions about the university's response.
-
Michigan State gymnastics coach Kathie Klages resigns over Nassar fallout
Longtime MSU gymnastics coach Kathie Klages resigned after being suspended, while denying she knew of abuse by Nassar.
-
Rochdale grooming gang members lose bid to avoid deportation
A tribunal ruled that four members of the Rochdale gang could be stripped of British citizenship and face deportation to Pakistan.
-
Rolf Harris cleared of further sex assault charges
A jury cleared Rolf Harris of three indecent assault charges and failed to reach verdicts on four others; prosecutors later decided not to seek a retrial.
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Channel 4 exposes abuse by evangelical camp leader John Smyth
Channel 4 reported decades-old allegations of violent abuse of young men by barrister John Smyth, linked to Christian camps, and a police investigation.
December 2016
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Nassar indicted on federal child pornography charges
A federal grand jury in Michigan indicted Nassar on charges of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse images, after agents seized material from his home.
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IndyStar finds 368 gymnasts alleged sexual abuse over 20 years
A follow-up IndyStar investigation documented allegations from at least 368 gymnasts against coaches and other adults across the U.S. gymnastics system over two decades.
November 2016
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Judge rules for McQueary on whistleblower claim, adding $5 million in damages
A judge found Penn State retaliated against McQueary under the state whistleblower law and awarded about $5 million more, bringing the total to roughly $12 million.
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Michigan attorney general files first sexual assault charges against Nassar
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette charged Nassar with criminal sexual conduct involving a minor, calling the case the tip of the iceberg. Nassar pleaded not guilty.
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Survivors' group withdraws from the inquiry
Shirley Oaks Survivors Association, representing hundreds of people abused in Lambeth care, withdrew from the inquiry, citing a loss of confidence.
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Education Department fines Penn State record $2.4 million for Clery Act violations
After a five-year investigation, the Department of Education issued a record Clery Act fine, finding Penn State failed to properly report campus crimes and warn of threats, including in the Sandusky matter.
October 2016
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Jury awards Mike McQueary $7.3 million in defamation case against Penn State
A Centre County jury found Penn State liable for defaming and misrepresenting McQueary and awarded him $7.3 million.
September 2016
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Lead counsel Ben Emmerson QC resigns from inquiry
The inquiry's senior lawyer resigned after being suspended over leadership concerns, adding to turmoil at the inquiry.
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More women come forward with abuse allegations against Nassar
Additional former patients, including athletes treated at Michigan State, came forward alleging abuse by Nassar. Police and the university opened investigations.
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Penn State settles coverage fight with its insurer
Penn State and insurer PMA settled their litigation over who would pay for Sandusky-related settlements, ending a case that had surfaced new allegations.
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Michigan State University fires Larry Nassar amid abuse allegations
Michigan State University fired Nassar, a faculty physician, after allegations from gymnasts and other patients. The university said he had violated requirements imposed after an earlier complaint.
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Former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar accused of sexual abuse by two gymnasts
Former gymnast Rachael Denhollander and an unnamed Olympic medalist accused longtime national team physician Larry Nassar of sexually abusing them during treatments. Nassar denied wrongdoing.
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Fox News pays Gretchen Carlson $20 million to settle harassment suit
21st Century Fox settled Carlson's lawsuit for a reported $20 million and issued a public apology, an unusual step for the company.
August 2016
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Former Fox host Andrea Tantaros sues network over alleged harassment and retaliation
Former host Andrea Tantaros sued Fox News, Ailes and other executives, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation after she complained. Fox denied the claims.
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Professor Alexis Jay named fourth chair of abuse inquiry
Alexis Jay, author of the Rotherham report and an existing panel member, was appointed to lead the inquiry.
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Dame Lowell Goddard resigns as inquiry chair
Goddard became the third chair to resign, stepping down by letter after 18 months amid reports of internal difficulties.
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IndyStar investigation finds USA Gymnastics failed to report abuse complaints against coaches
An Indianapolis Star investigation reported that USA Gymnastics routinely failed to alert authorities to sexual misconduct complaints against coaches. The series prompted the first public accusations against team doctor Larry Nassar.
July 2016
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Former Fox booker says Ailes harassed her for two decades
A former Fox News booker told New York magazine that Ailes harassed and psychologically controlled her for about 20 years and that the network helped conceal it.
-
Roger Ailes resigns as Fox News chairman amid harassment claims
Ailes stepped down as chairman and CEO of Fox News after an internal investigation into harassment allegations, with Rupert Murdoch taking over as acting chief.
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Megyn Kelly reportedly told Fox investigators that Ailes harassed her
Reports said anchor Megyn Kelly told the outside law firm reviewing Carlson's claims that Ailes had made unwanted advances toward her years earlier.
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Unsealed records detail claims that Penn State coaches heard of Sandusky abuse decades earlier
Documents unsealed in the insurance litigation included testimony alleging that Paterno and other coaches were told of abuse by Sandusky as early as the 1970s and 1980s. The claims were untested in court.
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Gretchen Carlson sues Fox News chief Roger Ailes for sexual harassment
Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson filed suit alleging that chairman Roger Ailes sexually harassed her and ended her contract after she rebuffed him. Ailes denied the allegations.
June 2016
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Abuse allegations follow Sodalitium founder Figari to Rome
Former members accused Luis Fernando Figari, founder of the Peru-based Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, of sexual and psychological abuse; he denied wrongdoing.
May 2016
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Judge orders Cosby to stand trial after preliminary hearing
A district judge found enough evidence for Cosby's sexual assault case to proceed to trial on three felony counts of aggravated indecent assault.
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Insurance case filing alleges Paterno was told of Sandusky abuse in 1976
A judge's order in Penn State's coverage dispute with its insurer referenced an allegation that a boy complained to Paterno about Sandusky in 1976. Paterno's family disputed the claim.
April 2016
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Ten men jailed for sex offences against girls in Rochdale
Ten men were jailed following a further Greater Manchester Police investigation into the sexual exploitation of girls in Rochdale.
March 2016
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Sandusky's Second Mile charity dissolves with court approval
A judge approved the dissolution of The Second Mile, the youth charity Sandusky founded, after it had wound down its programs following his arrest.
February 2016
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Dame Janet Smith review finds BBC culture let Savile and Hall abuse unchecked
The Dame Janet Smith review found Savile abused 72 people connected to the BBC and that a culture of fear and deference meant staff concerns went unreported; the BBC apologised.
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Judge refuses to dismiss Cosby case, rejecting claim of former DA's non-prosecution promise
A Montgomery County judge ruled the sexual assault charge against Cosby could proceed, rejecting his argument that former DA Bruce Castor had promised in 2005 he would never be prosecuted. That promise later became the basis for the 2021 ruling overturning his conviction.
January 2016
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Appeals court throws out some charges against Spanier, Curley and Schultz
The Superior Court dismissed perjury, obstruction and conspiracy charges after finding the university's former general counsel improperly testified before the grand jury, leaving child endangerment counts intact.
December 2015
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Bill Cosby charged with felony aggravated indecent assault in 2004 Constand case
Montgomery County prosecutors charged Cosby with aggravated indecent assault over the 2004 encounter with former Temple employee Andrea Constand, days before the statute of limitations was set to expire.
November 2015
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Inquiry announces investigations into MPs, councils and churches
The inquiry named its first 12 investigations, including Westminster, the Anglican and Catholic churches, Lambeth and Nottinghamshire councils and Rochdale.
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Penn State's Sandusky settlements total about $93 million
University financial disclosures showed Penn State had paid nearly $93 million to settle claims from 33 people abused by Sandusky.
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Court orders Sandusky's state pension restored
A Commonwealth Court panel ruled the State Employees' Retirement Board wrongly revoked Sandusky's roughly $4,900-a-month pension.
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Police chief says Operation Yewtree 'got things wrong'
A senior police leader acknowledged mistakes in Operation Yewtree, including the handling of high-profile people who were arrested but never charged.
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Milwaukee archdiocese bankruptcy plan pays $21 million to abuse survivors
A bankruptcy judge approved the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's reorganization plan, providing $21 million for clergy abuse survivors and ending a nearly five-year case.
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Prosecutor whose campaign focused on Cosby case wins Montgomery County DA race
Kevin Steele defeated former DA Bruce Castor, who had declined to charge Cosby in 2005, in a race where the Cosby case became a central campaign issue.
July 2015
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Royal commission told Jehovah's Witnesses never reported 1,006 alleged abusers to police
Australia's Royal Commission heard that none of 1,006 alleged perpetrators recorded by the church since 1950 were reported to authorities.
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New York magazine cover story gathers 35 women accusing Cosby
New York magazine published a cover story featuring 35 women who accuse Cosby of sexual assault, describing their experiences and the silence that followed. Cosby denied wrongdoing.
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Statutory child sexual abuse inquiry formally opens
Justice Goddard formally opened the inquiry, setting out a programme expected to examine institutions across England and Wales.
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Unsealed 2005 deposition shows Cosby admitted obtaining Quaaludes to give women
A federal judge unsealed portions of Cosby's deposition from the Constand civil case, in which he acknowledged obtaining sedatives to give to women he wanted to have sex with.
June 2015
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National Crime Agency's Rotherham inquiry identifies 300 suspects
The National Crime Agency's Operation Stovewood said it had identified around 300 possible suspects in historical Rotherham exploitation cases.
April 2015
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Bishop Robert Finn resigns after conviction for failing to report abuse
Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Kansas City-St. Joseph Bishop Robert Finn, convicted in 2012 of failing to report suspected abuse.
March 2015
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Protests erupt over installation of Bishop Juan Barros in Osorno
Protesters disrupted the installation of Barros, a Karadima protégé whom survivors accused of witnessing and covering up abuse, which he denied.
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Greater Manchester Police apologise over Rochdale failures
Greater Manchester Police apologised for failings in the Rochdale investigation, while saying no officers would face criminal charges.
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Oxfordshire serious case review estimates 373 children groomed
A serious case review found police and social services in Oxfordshire failed to act on clear signs of exploitation and estimated up to 373 children may have been targeted.
February 2015
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Gary Glitter jailed for 16 years for abusing girls
Gary Glitter, the first person arrested under Operation Yewtree, was sentenced to 16 years after being convicted of sexually abusing three girls in the 1970s and 1980s.
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Lampard lessons-learned report and NHS findings on Savile published
Reports into Savile's activities at Stoke Mandeville and dozens of other hospitals found complaints about him were ignored, and a lessons-learned review urged tighter controls on celebrity and volunteer access.
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Rotherham council accepts Casey inspection findings as commissioners take over
Louise Casey's inspection found Rotherham council not fit for purpose; its cabinet resigned and the government sent in commissioners to run the authority.
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New Zealand judge Lowell Goddard to lead statutory abuse inquiry
Dame Lowell Goddard was appointed chair and the inquiry was given statutory powers to compel witnesses and evidence.
January 2015
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Spanish judge charges 10 priests in Granada abuse case
A Granada judge charged priests and a layman after a former altar boy wrote to Pope Francis, who encouraged him to go to authorities.
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Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis files for bankruptcy
Facing claims filed under Minnesota's 2013 Child Victims Act window, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis filed for Chapter 11 protection.
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NCAA settlement restores 111 Paterno wins and keeps $60 million fine in Pennsylvania
Settling a lawsuit by state Sen. Jake Corman, the NCAA restored the vacated wins and agreed the $60 million fine would fund child abuse prevention programs in Pennsylvania.
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U.S. Virgin Islands reviews Epstein donations to local students
Virgin Islands officials began reviewing Epstein's donations to young students in the territory amid renewed attention to his abuse allegations.
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Ireland publishes terms of mother and baby homes inquiry
The Irish government set the terms of a commission to investigate 14 mother and baby homes and four county homes, prompted by the Tuam revelations.
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Court filing accuses Ghislaine Maxwell and alleges Prince Andrew links in Epstein case
Filings in a federal Crime Victims' Rights Act case challenging Epstein's plea deal alleged that Maxwell recruited girls and that Prince Andrew was involved; both denied the allegations.
December 2014
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Theresa May reported to scrap original inquiry panel
The home secretary was reported to be disbanding the original panel and reconstituting the inquiry with stronger powers.
-
Court of Appeal approves compensation scheme for Savile victims
The Court of Appeal rejected a challenge by the Jimmy Savile Charitable Trust and approved a compensation scheme for people who say Savile abused them, paid from his estate.
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Bill Cosby resigns from Temple University board of trustees
Cosby stepped down from Temple University's board of trustees, where he had served for decades, as sexual assault allegations against him multiplied.
November 2014
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NBC scraps planned Cosby sitcom and TV Land pulls reruns amid mounting allegations
NBC dropped a family comedy it had been developing with Cosby and TV Land removed The Cosby Show reruns as more women came forward with allegations; Netflix also postponed a planned Cosby special.
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Actress Barbara Bowman publicly accuses Cosby, asks why earlier claims were ignored
Actress Barbara Bowman wrote a Washington Post op-ed alleging Cosby assaulted her in the 1980s, helping spark a new wave of public accusations. Cosby's representatives denied the claims.
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Emails show NCAA officials questioned their authority to punish Penn State
Emails released in a state senator's lawsuit showed NCAA staff had doubted whether the association had jurisdiction to sanction Penn State over the Sandusky case.
October 2014
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Fiona Woolf resigns as chair of child abuse inquiry
Woolf stepped down after survivors objected to her social links with former home secretary Leon Brittan.
September 2014
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Dave Lee Travis found guilty of indecent assault
Former Radio 1 DJ Dave Lee Travis was convicted at a retrial of indecently assaulting a woman in 1995; he later received a suspended sentence.
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South Yorkshire police commissioner Shaun Wright resigns
Shaun Wright, who oversaw children's services in Rotherham during part of the period examined by the Jay report, resigned as South Yorkshire police and crime commissioner.
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NCAA lifts Penn State's postseason ban early
The NCAA Executive Committee ended the football postseason ban two years early and said full scholarships would return, citing the university's reforms.
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Lord Mayor Fiona Woolf named to lead abuse inquiry
City of London Lord Mayor Fiona Woolf was appointed as the inquiry's second chair.
August 2014
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Jay report finds at least 1,400 children exploited in Rotherham
Professor Alexis Jay's independent inquiry estimated at least 1,400 children were sexually exploited in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013 and found council and police leaders failed them.
July 2014
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Butler-Sloss steps down from abuse inquiry
Butler-Sloss withdrew as chair after criticism over the fact that her late brother had been attorney general in the 1980s.
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Baroness Butler-Sloss appointed to head child abuse inquiry
Former senior judge Baroness Butler-Sloss was named chair of the new inquiry into institutional child sexual abuse.
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Theresa May announces independent inquiry into institutional child abuse
Home Secretary Theresa May announced an independent panel inquiry into how public bodies and other institutions handled child sexual abuse, amid claims about historical abuse networks.
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Rolf Harris jailed for five years and nine months
Entertainer Rolf Harris, long a BBC presenter, was jailed after being convicted of 12 indecent assaults against girls between 1968 and 1986.
June 2014
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NHS reports find Savile abused patients aged five to 75 in hospitals
Investigations at Leeds General Infirmary, Broadmoor and other NHS hospitals found Savile abused patients and staff over decades; the health secretary apologised to victims.
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Attorney general's review finds no political delay in Sandusky prosecution
The Moulton report found no evidence that then-AG Tom Corbett deliberately slowed the Sandusky investigation for political reasons, though Attorney General Kane criticized its pace.
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Almost 800 infants found buried in unmarked graves at Tuam home
Research by a local historian indicated nearly 800 children who died at a Bon Secours-run mother and baby home in Tuam were buried without markers.
May 2014
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Stuart Hall given further jail term after second trial
Stuart Hall received an additional prison sentence after being found guilty at a second trial of indecently assaulting a girl.
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Max Clifford jailed for eight years
Max Clifford was sentenced to eight years in prison for indecent assaults committed between 1977 and 1984.
April 2014
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Max Clifford found guilty of eight indecent assaults
A jury at Southwark Crown Court convicted Max Clifford of eight counts of indecent assault against women and girls.
March 2014
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Pope names Cardinal O'Malley and survivors to new anti-abuse commission
Francis appointed the first members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, including Irish survivor Marie Collins.
February 2014
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UN committee demands Vatican remove abusers and open files
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child sharply criticized the Holy See's handling of clergy abuse and called for abusers to be reported to civil authorities.
January 2014
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Leaked draft says Savile may have abused up to 1,000 people on BBC premises
The Observer reported that material gathered for the Dame Janet Smith review suggested the number of people abused by Savile on BBC premises could be far higher than earlier estimates.
December 2013
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Msgr. William Lynn's child-endangerment conviction overturned on appeal
A Pennsylvania appeals court overturned the conviction of Msgr. William Lynn, ruling the child endangerment law did not apply to supervisors at the time.
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Report finds police and council errors let Rochdale gangs flourish
Serious case reviews found Greater Manchester Police and Rochdale agencies missed repeated opportunities to protect girls from exploitation.
October 2013
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Penn State agrees to pay $59.7 million to 26 Sandusky claimants
Penn State announced settlements totaling $59.7 million with 26 young men who said Sandusky abused them, with several other claims still pending.
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Savile investigation in the NHS widened to more hospitals
The Department of Health widened its investigation into Savile's activities at NHS hospitals to cover additional sites where he had access.
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Pennsylvania Superior Court rejects Sandusky's appeal
A three-judge Superior Court panel ruled that Sandusky was not entitled to a new trial, rejecting claims about trial preparation time and prosecutorial remarks.
September 2013
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NCAA begins restoring Penn State football scholarships
Citing progress reported by monitor George Mitchell, the NCAA said it would gradually return scholarships cut under the 2012 sanctions.
August 2013
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First civil settlement reached between Penn State and a Sandusky victim
A man identified in court papers as Victim 5 completed the first settlement with Penn State after nearly a year of negotiations.
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Former Radio 1 DJ Dave Lee Travis charged with indecent assault
Prosecutors charged former Radio 1 presenter Dave Lee Travis with indecent assault offences arising from Operation Yewtree.
July 2013
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Judge orders Spanier, Curley and Schultz to stand trial
After a preliminary hearing, a district judge ruled prosecutors had presented enough evidence for the three former administrators to face trial on cover-up related charges.
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Graham Spanier files libel action against Louis Freeh
Spanier initiated a libel and defamation case in Centre County against Freeh over the report's conclusions about his role.
June 2013
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Seven members of Oxford abuse ring jailed
The Oxford gang members were sentenced, five of them to life terms, for rape, trafficking and other offences.
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Stuart Hall jailed for 15 months for indecent assaults
Stuart Hall was sentenced at Preston Crown Court to 15 months in prison; the term was later doubled on appeal as unduly lenient.
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Federal judge dismisses Corbett's antitrust suit against the NCAA
A federal judge in Harrisburg threw out the governor's lawsuit challenging the Penn State sanctions.
May 2013
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Paterno family and others file lawsuit against the NCAA
Paterno's estate, along with some trustees, faculty and former players, sued the NCAA in Centre County, arguing the sanctions based on the Freeh Report violated NCAA rules.
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Oxford grooming gang convicted after Operation Bullfinch
Seven men were convicted at the Old Bailey of sexually exploiting girls in Oxford over several years following Thames Valley Police's Operation Bullfinch.
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Operation Chalice trial concludes with convictions in Telford
West Mercia Police's Operation Chalice ended with several men convicted of child sexual exploitation offences against girls in Telford.
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Veteran BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall admits indecent assaults on girls
Stuart Hall, a longtime BBC presenter, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of indecently assaulting girls between 1967 and 1985.
April 2013
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Max Clifford charged with 11 counts of indecent assault
Prosecutors charged Max Clifford with 11 counts of indecent assault following the Operation Yewtree investigation.
March 2013
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Penn State sues insurer over coverage of Sandusky-related claims
Penn State sued Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association Insurance Co., seeking to force the insurer to cover settlements with people abused by Sandusky.
February 2013
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Taoiseach issues state apology to Magdalene laundry women
Enda Kenny apologized unreservedly in the Dáil to women held in the laundries and announced a redress scheme.
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Paterno family releases report challenging Freeh's findings
A review commissioned by Paterno's family, including work by former Gov. Dick Thornburgh, called the Freeh Report's conclusions about Paterno unsupported.
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McAleese report finds significant state role in Magdalene laundries
A government committee found the Irish state was directly involved in sending women and girls to the Catholic-run Magdalene laundries.
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Attorney General Kane appoints special investigator to review handling of Sandusky probe
Newly elected Attorney General Kathleen Kane named former federal prosecutor Geoffrey Moulton to examine how her predecessors, including then-AG Tom Corbett, conducted the Sandusky investigation.
January 2013
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Judge denies Sandusky's request for a new trial
The trial judge rejected Sandusky's post-sentencing motions seeking a new trial, clearing the way for his direct appeal.
-
Police and NSPCC report reveals scale of Savile's offending
The Giving Victims a Voice report by the Metropolitan Police and NSPCC recorded 214 criminal offences by Savile across 28 police force areas over more than five decades.
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Supreme Court judge named to head abuse royal commission
The government released terms of reference and named Justice Peter McClellan to chair the six-member royal commission.
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Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett sues NCAA over Penn State sanctions
Corbett filed a federal antitrust lawsuit seeking to overturn the NCAA's sanctions against Penn State, calling them unlawful and overreaching.
December 2012
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Pollard review finds BBC leadership failures over axed Newsnight Savile report
The Pollard review found chaos and leadership failures in the BBC's handling of the dropped Newsnight investigation, though it concluded the decision was not made to protect tribute programmes.
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Publicist Max Clifford arrested in Yewtree investigation
Publicist Max Clifford was arrested by Operation Yewtree officers on suspicion of sexual offences; he denied the allegations.
November 2012
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Survivors welcome national royal commission into institutional child abuse
Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced a royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse, a move survivors called a bittersweet victory.
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BBC director general George Entwistle resigns
George Entwistle resigned after 54 days as director general amid the fallout from the shelved Savile report and a separate Newsnight broadcast that wrongly implicated a former politician in abuse.
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Ex-Penn State president Graham Spanier charged; new counts filed against Curley and Schultz
The state attorney general charged Spanier with perjury, obstruction, conspiracy and child endangerment, and added obstruction and endangerment counts against Curley and Schultz.
October 2012
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Gary Glitter arrested by Operation Yewtree detectives
Former pop star Gary Glitter became the first person arrested under Operation Yewtree, the police inquiry prompted by the Savile allegations.
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Police say number of potential Savile victims reaches 300
The Metropolitan Police said around 300 potential victims had come forward with allegations against Savile spanning several decades.
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Newsnight editor steps aside over shelved Savile investigation
Newsnight editor Peter Rippon stepped aside after the BBC said his explanation for dropping a 2011 report on Savile abuse allegations had been inaccurate.
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Metropolitan Police launch Operation Yewtree criminal inquiry
Scotland Yard opened a formal criminal investigation, later known as Operation Yewtree, after concluding some allegations involved people other than Savile who were still alive.
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More than 1,200 Boy Scouts files on suspected molesters released under court order
Following the Oregon Supreme Court ruling, attorneys made public more than 1,200 Boy Scouts files covering 1965 to 1985. The records showed some removed volunteers rejoined and many allegations were not reported to police, which the Scouts disputed.
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BBC names Dame Janet Smith and Nick Pollard to lead Savile reviews
The BBC appointed former judge Dame Janet Smith to examine the corporation's culture during Savile's years there and former Sky News chief Nick Pollard to review why Newsnight dropped its Savile report.
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Penn State declines to renew athletic director Tim Curley's contract
Penn State said it would not renew the contract of Curley, who had been on leave since being charged in 2011.
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BBC issues apology over Savile and launches two inquiries
BBC director general George Entwistle apologised to those affected and announced reviews into the shelved Newsnight investigation and into the culture of the BBC during Savile's career.
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Sandusky sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison
A judge sentenced Sandusky to 30 to 60 years in state prison and designated him a sexually violent predator.
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Mike McQueary sues Penn State, alleging whistleblower retaliation and defamation
Former assistant coach Mike McQueary sued Penn State, claiming he was mistreated and defamed after he reported the 2001 shower incident and testified against Sandusky.
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ITV stands by upcoming documentary alleging Jimmy Savile abused teenage girls
ITV defended its forthcoming Exposure documentary alleging the late BBC presenter Jimmy Savile sexually abused girls in the 1970s. The BBC said it had found no record of misconduct on its premises.
September 2012
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Times reveals confidential police files on Rotherham child exploitation
The Times reported that confidential police and agency files showed organised sexual exploitation of girls in Rotherham had been known about for years without effective action.
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Penn State hires Feinberg firm to handle possible settlements with abuse claimants
The university retained Feinberg Rozen LLP, led by mediator Kenneth Feinberg, to help resolve civil claims from people abused by Sandusky.
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LA Times review of 1,600 files finds Boy Scouts often failed to report suspected abusers
A Los Angeles Times review of about 1,600 confidential files from 1970 to 1991 found Scouting officials often did not alert police and sometimes let accused leaders resign quietly. In many cases where the Scouts learned of abuse first, there was no sign law enforcement was contacted, and some expelled men later rejoined.
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Bishop Robert Finn found guilty of failing to report suspected child abuse
In a bench trial, Bishop Finn was convicted of one misdemeanor count of failing to report suspected abuse and sentenced to two years' probation, making him the highest-ranking U.S. Catholic official convicted in the scandal.
August 2012
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422 sex abuse claims filed against the Christian Brothers
Hundreds of abuse claims, many tied to Mount Cashel and other Christian Brothers institutions, were lodged in the order's insolvency proceedings.
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Accreditor places Penn State on warning over scandal
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education warned that Penn State's accreditation was in jeopardy over governance and integrity issues raised by the scandal. The warning was lifted later that year.
July 2012
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NCAA fines Penn State $60 million, imposes bowl ban and vacates 111 wins
Under a consent decree, the NCAA fined Penn State $60 million, banned its football team from the postseason for four years, cut scholarships and vacated wins dating to 1998.
-
Penn State removes Joe Paterno statue outside Beaver Stadium
President Rodney Erickson ordered the statue of Joe Paterno taken down in the wake of the Freeh Report's findings.
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Freeh Report finds top Penn State officials concealed Sandusky allegations
The Freeh investigation concluded that Paterno, Spanier, Curley and Schultz showed disregard for child victims and concealed facts about Sandusky to avoid bad publicity. Paterno's family and the accused officials disputed the findings.
June 2012
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Msgr. William Lynn convicted of child endangerment in Philadelphia
Msgr. William Lynn, the archdiocese's former secretary for clergy, became the first U.S. church official convicted for his handling of abuse allegations.
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Jury convicts Jerry Sandusky on 45 of 48 counts of child sexual abuse
A Centre County jury found Sandusky guilty of 45 counts involving the abuse of 10 boys over 15 years, and he was jailed pending sentencing.
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Oregon Supreme Court clears release of 20,000 pages of Boy Scouts 'perversion files'
The Oregon Supreme Court approved public release of roughly 20,000 pages of Boy Scouts files on suspected molesters that had been trial evidence in the 2010 Portland case. It was the first time the public would be able to review the records.
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Jerry Sandusky's criminal trial begins in Bellefonte
Sandusky's trial opened in Centre County, with prosecutors presenting testimony from men who said he abused them as boys.
May 2012
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Rochdale grooming gang members jailed
The nine Rochdale men were sentenced to terms of up to 19 years; ringleader Shabir Ahmed received the longest term.
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Nine men convicted in Rochdale grooming trial
Nine men were found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court of offences including rape and trafficking girls for sex in Rochdale; it emerged a 2008 complaint had not been prosecuted.
March 2012
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Reports say Dutch Catholic institutions castrated boys in the 1950s
Dutch media reported that at least 10 boys in Catholic care were castrated, raising questions about why the 2011 Deetman abuse inquiry omitted the cases.
February 2012
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Federal authorities open separate investigation tied to Sandusky and Penn State
The Patriot-News reported that federal prosecutors had subpoenaed records in a separate investigation involving Sandusky, Penn State and The Second Mile.
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California judge orders Boy Scouts to turn over two decades of confidential abuse files
In a lawsuit over a California troop leader's abuse of a Scout, a judge ordered the Boy Scouts to produce its nationwide 'ineligible volunteer files' from the previous 20 years. Scouting officials disputed that the files had been used to hide abuse.
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Penn State's insurer asks court to limit its liability for Sandusky claims
Penn State's liability insurer, PMA, asked a Philadelphia court to limit its exposure for abuse claims connected to Sandusky, opening years of coverage litigation.
January 2012
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Joe Paterno dies at 85, two months after his firing
Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno died of complications from lung cancer, about ten weeks after trustees removed him amid the Sandusky scandal.
December 2011
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Curley and Schultz ordered to stand trial on perjury charges after preliminary hearing
At a preliminary hearing in Harrisburg, McQueary testified and Paterno's grand jury testimony was read into the record; a judge sent the perjury and failure-to-report charges against Curley and Schultz to trial.
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Sandusky arrested again on charges involving two additional accusers
Sandusky was arrested on new charges after two more alleged victims came forward, bringing the total number of accusers in the criminal case to ten.
November 2011
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First civil lawsuit filed against Sandusky, Penn State and The Second Mile
An anonymous plaintiff filed the first civil suit in the scandal, alleging Sandusky abused him and naming Penn State and The Second Mile as defendants.
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Penn State hires ex-FBI director Louis Freeh to lead internal investigation
Penn State's trustees hired former FBI Director Louis Freeh to conduct an independent investigation of how the university handled allegations against Sandusky.
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Second Mile president Jack Raykovitz resigns amid Sandusky allegations
Jack Raykovitz resigned as president and CEO of The Second Mile, the youth charity Sandusky founded, after the grand jury report said he had been informed of the 2001 incident.
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In NBC interview, Sandusky denies abuse but admits showering with boys
In a televised phone interview with NBC's Bob Costas, Sandusky denied being a pedophile while acknowledging he had showered with boys. Prosecutors later used the interview at trial.
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Penn State puts assistant coach Mike McQueary on paid administrative leave
Penn State placed assistant coach Mike McQueary, who testified he witnessed Sandusky with a boy in a campus shower in 2001, on indefinite paid leave, citing threats against him.
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U.S. Education Department opens Clery Act review of Penn State
The U.S. Department of Education announced it would investigate whether Penn State violated the Clery Act's campus crime reporting requirements in its handling of the Sandusky allegations.
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Penn State trustees oust coach Joe Paterno and president Graham Spanier
Penn State's board of trustees removed head football coach Joe Paterno effective immediately, and president Graham Spanier left office, days after the Sandusky charges became public.
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Curley placed on leave and Schultz steps down as Penn State officials face charges
Penn State said Curley would go on administrative leave and Schultz would step down as the two administrators prepared to answer perjury and failure-to-report charges in court.
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Jerry Sandusky charged with child sex abuse; Penn State AD Curley and VP Schultz charged
The Pennsylvania attorney general charged Sandusky with sexually abusing eight boys over 15 years. Athletic director Tim Curley and vice president Gary Schultz were charged with perjury and failing to report abuse.
October 2011
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Kansas City Bishop Robert Finn indicted for failing to report suspected abuse
A Jackson County grand jury indicted Bishop Robert Finn and his diocese on misdemeanor charges of failing to report suspected child abuse involving a priest's images of children, the first such charge against a sitting U.S. bishop.
September 2011
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Holy See rejects claim it obstructed Irish abuse investigations
In a formal response to the Irish government, the Vatican denied it had interfered with child protection in Cloyne while acknowledging failures.
July 2011
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Taoiseach Enda Kenny condemns Vatican over Cloyne findings
In an unprecedented Dáil speech, Kenny accused the Vatican of obstructing an inquiry into abuse and of prioritizing its own reputation.
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Cloyne Report finds diocese ignored child protection guidelines
The Cloyne inquiry found the diocese failed to report most complaints to police between 1996 and 2009 and said a 1997 Vatican letter had undermined Irish church guidelines.
June 2011
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Vatican rejects Karadima appeal and upholds sanctions
The Vatican denied Fernando Karadima's appeal, maintaining its finding that he abused minors and ordering him to a life of prayer and penance.
March 2011
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Patriot-News reports grand jury is investigating ex-Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky
The Harrisburg Patriot-News first reported that a state grand jury was investigating allegations that former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky abused a boy. The story went largely unnoticed nationally until charges were filed months later.
February 2011
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Philadelphia grand jury charges church official William Lynn and priests
A second Philadelphia grand jury report said dozens of priests with credible allegations remained in ministry and led to charges against Msgr. William Lynn for endangering children, along with two priests and a teacher.
January 2011
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Times investigation exposes pattern of on-street grooming across northern England
Andrew Norfolk's investigation for The Times identified a pattern of organised grooming of girls in towns across the Midlands and north of England and accused agencies of failing to act.
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Milwaukee archdiocese files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee filed for bankruptcy protection as it faced abuse lawsuits and failed settlement talks with victims.
November 2010
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Five Rotherham men jailed for child sex offences
Five men were jailed for sexual offences against girls in Rotherham, an early prosecution in what became a wider exploitation scandal.
September 2010
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Belgian court rules church abuse raids illegal
A Brussels court found the June raids unlawful and ordered seized material returned, hampering the investigation.
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Boy Scouts settle remaining Oregon abuse lawsuits over the same troop leader
Six men who said the same Oregon Scout leader abused them in the 1980s reached undisclosed settlements with the national organization, including the plaintiff in the April verdict. The State of Oregon was due a share of the punitive damages.
June 2010
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Vatican indignant over Belgian police raids on church offices
Belgian police seized files from church offices and a cardinal's home in an abuse inquiry, prompting a protest from the Holy See.
April 2010
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Oregon jury orders Boy Scouts to pay $18.5 million in punitive damages in abuse case
Jurors found the Boy Scouts acted with reckless indifference by keeping a leader near Scouts after he had admitted abusing children, and added $18.5 million in punitive damages. The verdict, built on the organization's confidential 'perversion files', was the largest of its kind against the Scouts.
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Bishop of Bruges resigns after admitting abuse
Bishop Roger Vangheluwe resigned after admitting he had sexually abused a boy years earlier.
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Oregon jury finds Boy Scouts negligent, awards $1.4 million to former Scout abused by leader
A Portland jury found the Boy Scouts of America failed to protect a Scout from abuse by an assistant Scoutmaster in the early 1980s and awarded $1.4 million in compensatory damages. A separate phase would decide punitive damages, and the Scouts said they would appeal.
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ABC News finds at least 36 USA Swimming coaches banned over sexual misconduct with swimmers
An ABC News investigation reported that at least 36 coaches had been banned by USA Swimming over a decade for sexual misconduct with teenage athletes, including secret filming. The report prompted USA Swimming to create its Safe Sport program.
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Guardian examines what Cardinal William Levada knew of 1985 abuse warnings
The Guardian scrutinized the record of Cardinal William Levada, then head of the Vatican's doctrinal office and formerly a U.S. archbishop, regarding early warnings about clergy abuse.
March 2010
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Pope Benedict XVI apologizes to Irish abuse victims in pastoral letter
In a letter to Irish Catholics, Benedict XVI expressed shame and remorse to survivors and rebuked Irish bishops for grave errors, while critics said it did not address Vatican responsibility.
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German priest in abuse case tied to Ratzinger's Munich tenure is suspended
The Munich archdiocese suspended a priest convicted of abuse in 1986 after it emerged he had been returned to pastoral work, a case dating to when the future Benedict XVI led the diocese.
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Cardinal Brady attended 1975 meetings that swore abuse victims to secrecy
Ireland's primate Cardinal Seán Brady acknowledged he was present as a priest at church inquiries into Fr. Brendan Smyth at which children signed secrecy oaths, but said he would not resign.
February 2010
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Jesuit school abuse scandal spreads across Germany
Admissions of past abuse at Berlin's Canisius College opened a wave of revelations at Catholic schools throughout Germany.
December 2009
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Second Irish bishop resigns over Murphy Report findings
Another Irish bishop who had served in Dublin announced his resignation after being criticized in the Murphy Report.
November 2009
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Murphy Report finds Dublin archdiocese and police covered up child abuse
The Murphy Commission found that successive Dublin archbishops put the church's reputation ahead of children and that police colluded in covering up abuse from 1975 to 2004.
October 2009
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Diocese of Wilmington files for bankruptcy amid abuse suits
The Diocese of Wilmington filed for Chapter 11 protection on the eve of an abuse trial, after Delaware's 2007 law opened a two-year window for old claims.
September 2009
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Nova Scotia bishop Raymond Lahey wanted on child pornography charges
Police issued a warrant for Bishop Raymond Lahey of Antigonish on charges of possessing and importing child sexual abuse images, days after he resigned.
May 2009
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Religious orders refuse to reopen Irish abuse compensation deal
After the Ryan Report, the 18 religious congregations rejected government calls to renegotiate a 2002 indemnity deal that capped their redress contributions.
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Ryan Report finds abuse endemic in Irish church-run institutions
A nine-year state inquiry concluded that sexual and physical abuse was endemic in industrial schools and reformatories run by Catholic religious orders, and that officials knew.
July 2008
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Epstein begins jail sentence after state plea deal tied to federal non-prosecution agreement
Epstein began serving an 18-month sentence after pleading guilty to state prostitution-related charges, under an arrangement with federal prosecutors in Miami that spared him federal charges.
June 2008
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R. Kelly acquitted on all child pornography counts
After years of delays, a Chicago jury found R. Kelly not guilty on all 14 counts in the child pornography case, largely because the alleged victim did not testify.
April 2008
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Ex-priest Gilbert Gauthe arrested in Texas on sex-offender registration charge
Texas police arrested Gauthe, convicted in 1985, for allegedly failing to give required advance notice before moving under the state's sex-offender registration law.
December 2007
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Diocese of Davenport settles with abuse victims for $37 million
The Diocese of Davenport reached a $37 million settlement with abuse claimants as part of its bankruptcy reorganization.
September 2007
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San Diego diocese settles abuse cases for about $200 million
The Diocese of San Diego agreed to pay about $198 million to 144 abuse claimants, ending its bankruptcy case.
July 2007
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Los Angeles archdiocese agrees to record $660 million abuse settlement
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed to pay $660 million to more than 500 people alleging clergy abuse, the largest such settlement in U.S. history, and Cardinal Roger Mahony apologized.
February 2007
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San Diego diocese files for bankruptcy on eve of abuse trials
The Diocese of San Diego filed for Chapter 11 protection hours before the first of about 140 abuse lawsuits was to go to trial, halting the cases.
December 2006
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Los Angeles archdiocese pays $60 million to settle 45 abuse claims
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed to pay $60 million to resolve 45 abuse lawsuits not covered by insurance, a prelude to a larger global settlement.
October 2006
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Diocese of Davenport files for bankruptcy
The Diocese of Davenport in Iowa filed for Chapter 11 protection, citing the cost of clergy sexual abuse claims.
September 2006
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Harvard says it will keep donation from Jeffrey Epstein after his Florida indictment
Harvard said it would not return a large Epstein gift despite the criminal charge he faced in Palm Beach, a decision that later drew scrutiny.
July 2006
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Palm Beach police records detail investigation of financier Jeffrey Epstein
Police documents published from the Palm Beach investigation alleged that Epstein paid underage girls for massages at his Florida mansion, following his indictment on a state solicitation charge.
October 2005
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Ferns Report finds more than 100 abuse allegations in Irish diocese
The state-appointed Ferns Inquiry found over 100 allegations against 21 priests in the Diocese of Ferns since 1962 and faulted bishops and police for failing to act.
September 2005
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Philadelphia grand jury finds archdiocese covered up abuse by 63 priests
A Philadelphia grand jury report found that Cardinals John Krol and Anthony Bevilacqua concealed abuse by dozens of priests over decades, but said no charges were possible because of statutes of limitations.
August 2005
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Oakland diocese settles abuse lawsuits for $56 million
The Diocese of Oakland agreed to pay $56 million to resolve dozens of lawsuits brought under California's lookback window.
June 2005
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Sacramento diocese to pay $35 million to 33 abuse claimants
The Diocese of Sacramento settled 33 clergy abuse claims for $35 million minutes before the first trial was set to begin.
March 2005
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Former Temple employee files civil suit accusing Bill Cosby of drugging and assault
Andrea Constand, a former Temple University women's basketball staffer, filed a federal civil lawsuit alleging Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004, after prosecutors declined to bring charges. Cosby denied the allegations.
February 2005
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Former priest James Porter dies at 70
Porter, whose case helped bring clergy sexual abuse to national attention in 1992 and who pleaded guilty in 1993, died of cancer.
December 2004
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Spokane diocese files for bankruptcy; court takes control of finances
The Diocese of Spokane filed for Chapter 11 protection amid clergy abuse lawsuits, placing its finances under bankruptcy court supervision.
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Diocese of Orange agrees to $100 million settlement of abuse claims
The Diocese of Orange in California agreed to pay $100 million to settle about 90 lawsuits filed under the state's 2003 lookback window.
September 2004
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Diocese of Tucson files for bankruptcy over clergy abuse claims
The Diocese of Tucson became the second U.S. diocese to seek Chapter 11 protection as it faced dozens of abuse lawsuits.
July 2004
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Archdiocese of Portland becomes first U.S. diocese to file for bankruptcy
Facing abuse claims seeking hundreds of millions of dollars, the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon filed for Chapter 11 protection hours before a trial was to begin, the first Catholic diocese in the U.S. to do so.
April 2004
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Prosecutors seek civil commitment of James Porter as sexually dangerous person
As Porter neared the end of his prison term, Bristol County prosecutors sought to have him civilly committed as a sexually dangerous person.
February 2004
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Bishops' John Jay study finds 4,392 priests accused of abusing minors since 1950
The bishops-commissioned John Jay College study found that about 4,392 priests, roughly 4 percent of those serving, were accused of abusing some 10,667 minors between 1950 and 2002.
January 2004
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About 800 abuse suits filed against California Catholic church as one-year window closes
A 2003 California law that temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims produced roughly 800 lawsuits against Catholic dioceses and orders by its Dec. 31 deadline.
October 2003
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Air Force leaders testify to Senate on Academy sexual assault scandal
Air Force Secretary James Roche and Gen. John Jumper testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee, with Jumper accepting personal responsibility.
September 2003
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Panel blames Air Force Academy leaders for years of sexual assaults
An independent panel chaired by Tillie Fowler found leadership failures contributed to 142 reported sexual assaults at the Air Force Academy over a decade and recommended accountability reviews.
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Boston archdiocese agrees to $85 million settlement with 552 abuse claimants
Under new Archbishop Sean O'Malley, the Archdiocese of Boston agreed to pay $85 million to resolve more than 500 abuse lawsuits, then the largest such settlement.
July 2003
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Massachusetts attorney general reports nearly 1,000 likely victims of Boston clergy
Attorney General Thomas Reilly's report concluded that more than 1,000 people were likely abused by Boston-area clergy since 1940 and that church leaders' secrecy enabled it, though no officials could be charged under then-current law.
December 2002
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Cardinal Bernard Law resigns as archbishop of Boston
Pope John Paul II accepted the resignation of Cardinal Bernard Law after nearly a year of revelations that he had shielded abusive priests in the Boston archdiocese.
June 2002
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U.S. bishops adopt Dallas Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People
Meeting in Dallas, U.S. bishops voted overwhelmingly for a charter requiring removal from ministry of any priest who abused a minor, lay review boards and reporting to civil authorities.
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R. Kelly indicted on child pornography charges in Chicago
A Cook County grand jury indicted R. Kelly on charges of producing child pornography tied to a videotape allegedly showing him with an underage girl. Kelly denied the charges.
March 2002
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Boston crisis reopens old wounds in Louisiana, where the scandal first surfaced
As the Boston scandal spread nationally, the Times returned to the Lafayette diocese, where the Gauthe case had first exposed clergy abuse in 1984-85.
January 2002
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Former priest John Geoghan found guilty of indecent assault
A Middlesex County jury convicted defrocked priest John Geoghan of indecently assaulting a boy, the first criminal verdict against him amid more than 130 allegations.
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Globe: Cardinal Law knew of 1985 report on repeat abusers yet reassigned Geoghan
A Spotlight follow-up reported that Cardinal Law had access to the 1985 warnings that abusive priests were likely to reoffend but still assigned Rev. John Geoghan to a parish where he continued to abuse children.
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Spotlight: Church allowed abuse by priest John Geoghan for years
The Globe's Spotlight team reported that Cardinal Bernard Law and other Boston church leaders repeatedly reassigned John Geoghan despite allegations he had molested more than 130 children, launching the national scandal.
March 2001
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Massachusetts bill would extend time for molestation victims to sue
Legislators proposed changing Massachusetts law so that adults abused as children would have more time to bring claims.
April 1999
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James Porter denied parole
Massachusetts parole officials denied release to Porter, who was serving his sentence for child sexual abuse.
July 1998
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Dallas diocese settles Kos case for $23.4 million after jury verdict
The Diocese of Dallas and its insurers agreed to pay about $23.4 million to plaintiffs in the Kos case, settling for less than the jury award to avoid prolonged appeals.
April 1998
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Former Dallas priest Rudolph Kos sentenced to life in prison
Rudolph Kos, convicted of sexually assaulting boys while serving as a priest in the Diocese of Dallas, was sentenced to life in prison.
July 1997
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Dallas jury awards $119.6 million against diocese over former priest Rudy Kos
A Dallas County jury found the Diocese of Dallas liable for concealing abuse by former priest Rudolph Kos and awarded plaintiffs $119.6 million, then the largest clergy-abuse verdict in the U.S.
May 1997
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Aberdeen drill sergeant sentenced to 25 years
A military jury sentenced Staff Sgt. Delmar Simpson to 25 years for sexually assaulting trainees he supervised at Aberdeen.
December 1996
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Newfoundland government makes settlement offers to Mount Cashel claimants
The provincial government offered compensation settlements to former Mount Cashel residents who had sued over abuse suffered in the orphanage.
November 1996
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Aberdeen probe widens as sexual misconduct scandal spreads to other bases
Instructors at other training sites faced discipline as the Aberdeen probe prompted a military-wide review and a zero-tolerance order from Defense Secretary William Perry.
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Army charges trainers at Aberdeen Proving Ground with rape and harassment
The Army charged three trainers at Aberdeen Proving Ground with sexual offenses involving more than a dozen female trainees and sought other possible offenders.
December 1993
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Porter victims' lawyer says 20 other area priests face accusations
An attorney for Porter's victims said about 20 other priests in southeastern Massachusetts had also been accused of abuse.
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James Porter sentenced to 18 to 20 years in prison
A Massachusetts judge sentenced Porter to 18 to 20 years in prison for abusing children in the 1960s.
October 1993
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James Porter pleads guilty to assaults committed as a priest
Porter pleaded guilty in Massachusetts to dozens of counts of sexual assault on children committed while he was a priest in the Fall River diocese.
March 1993
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Man says aide to Cardinal Law let abuse complaints languish
A man alleged that a top aide to Cardinal Law failed to act on his complaints of clergy abuse, an early sign of problems in Boston's handling of cases.
January 1993
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Boston archdiocese adopts sexual misconduct rules for clergy
The Archdiocese of Boston issued formal rules for handling allegations of sexual misconduct by clergy.
December 1992
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Ex-priest James Porter goes on trial in Minnesota molestation case
Porter went on trial in Minnesota on charges of molesting a child years after leaving the priesthood, while Massachusetts charges remained pending.
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68 Porter accusers reach settlement with Diocese of Fall River
Sixty-eight people who said Porter abused them settled their claims with the Catholic Church in a confidential agreement.
November 1992
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U.S. bishops pledge principles for responding to abuse cases
The bishops' conference committed to guidelines for responding to abuse allegations, including prompt investigation and support for victims, though they remained non-binding.
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U.S. bishops apologize to victims of clergy sexual abuse
Meeting amid the Porter scandal, U.S. Catholic bishops issued an apology to people abused by priests.
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Boston archdiocese promises abuse policy and review board
The Archdiocese of Boston said it would adopt a formal policy on clergy sexual abuse and create a review board to handle complaints.
October 1992
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Report says Porter told the pope of his abuse in the 1960s
The Globe reported that Porter had said he disclosed his abuse of children to the pope in the 1960s before leaving the priesthood, raising questions about what the Vatican knew.
September 1992
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Former priest James Porter arrested in Minnesota on Massachusetts abuse charges
Porter was taken into custody in Minnesota on criminal charges brought in Massachusetts over abuse of children in the 1960s.
August 1992
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Fall River bishop pledges aid to Porter accusers
The Diocese of Fall River announced it would help pay for counseling and support for people who said Porter abused them.
July 1992
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James Porter admits abusing children while a priest and apologizes
Porter publicly acknowledged having abused children during his years as a priest and issued an apology.
June 1992
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Navy Secretary Garrett resigns over Tailhook sexual assault scandal
Navy Secretary H. Lawrence Garrett III resigned, accepting responsibility for leadership failures tied to the assaults on women at the 1991 Tailhook convention in Las Vegas.
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New Fall River bishop Sean O'Malley reaches out to Porter's accusers
Newly appointed Fall River Bishop Sean O'Malley pledged to reach out to people abused by clergy as the Porter case widened.
May 1992
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Cardinal Law criticizes press coverage of Porter abuse case
Cardinal Bernard Law publicly faulted news media coverage of the Porter allegations, drawing criticism from accusers and advocates.
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Massachusetts charitable-immunity law caps church liability at $20,000
The Globe reported that a little-known state law limited damages against charitable organizations such as the church to $20,000 per claim, constraining Porter accusers' potential lawsuits.
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Dozens more come forward alleging abuse by Fall River priest James Porter
About 30 additional people alleged they were abused by Porter in the 1960s, sharply expanding the case days after the first accounts became public.
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Nine people allege former priest James Porter abused them, threaten to sue church
Nine adults alleged that James Porter abused them as children while he was a priest in the Diocese of Fall River in the 1960s and said they planned to sue the church.
December 1989
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Mount Cashel revelations bring charges of a police and justice cover-up
Testimony and reporting on abuse at the Mount Cashel orphanage raised claims that police and justice officials shelved a 1970s investigation, prompting the Hughes royal commission.
March 1989
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Clergy sex abuse scandal shakes Newfoundland
Reports of sexual abuse by Catholic priests in Newfoundland set off a provincial scandal that soon widened to the Christian Brothers' Mount Cashel orphanage.
December 1987
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Report: Lafayette diocese has paid about $12 million in Gauthe-related cases, including $1.25M jury award
A review of the Gauthe case reported that a 1986 jury awarded one family $1.25 million after the diocese admitted liability, and that the diocese had paid an estimated $12 million across 16 cases.
December 1985
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Peterson sends clergy abuse 'Guidelines' package to every U.S. bishop
Rev. Michael Peterson mailed the Doyle-Mouton-Peterson materials to every U.S. diocesan bishop, meaning the hierarchy had a detailed warning about the abuse problem by the end of 1985.
October 1985
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Former Louisiana priest Gilbert Gauthe sentenced to 20 years in prison
Under a plea agreement, Gauthe pleaded guilty to charges including child pornography and crimes against nature and received a 20-year prison sentence.
June 1985
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Louisiana families sue diocese as priest Gilbert Gauthe faces dozens of molestation counts
Gauthe, who had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to 34 counts, was reported to have acknowledged abusing dozens of children, while families pursued suits against the Lafayette diocese, which had already paid $4.2 million to nine families.
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Doyle, Mouton and Peterson draft confidential manual warning bishops of clergy abuse crisis
Canon lawyer Rev. Thomas Doyle, Gauthe defense attorney F. Ray Mouton and Rev. Michael Peterson wrote a confidential report urging bishops to confront clergy sexual abuse; it was quietly tabled at the bishops' June 1985 meeting.
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National Catholic Reporter calls clergy abuse cases a pattern of church cover-ups
NCR devoted its front page to clergy sexual abuse cases in Louisiana and several other dioceses, with an editor's note arguing that church structures had failed to act on complaints and an editorial urging diocesan review boards.
May 1985
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Times of Acadiana investigation details how Lafayette diocese handled priest Gilbert Gauthe
Jason Berry's investigation reported that church leaders in the Diocese of Lafayette received warnings about Rev. Gilbert Gauthe for years before he was removed, and described criminal charges and confidential settlements with families.
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