Neal Gumpel said the abuse he suffered more than 50 years ago shaped his adult life.
sexual abuse
Could a new appeal prompt Maine’s supreme court to reconsider its decision on decades-old child sex abuse cases?
Some advocates hope the Maine Supreme Judicial Court’s newest justice and a lengthy dissenting opinion will help tip the scale in their favor.
Lewiston man pleads guilty to charges related to child sexual abuse material
Harold Clayton III potentially faces up to 30 years in prison for charges of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Group suing Maine’s Catholic Church asks high court to reconsider statute of limitations ruling
Lawyers say the Maine Supreme Judicial Court didn’t consider the Legislature’s full authority when it comes to enacting new laws.
Maine has made progress toward helping minors suffering from sexual assault
On Jan. 28, the Maine Law Court issued a highly consequential decision — one that could potentially bar civil suits by hundreds of litigants in this state claiming to have suffered sexual abuse as minors by members of the state’s Catholic clergy. The case, Robert E. Dupuis et al. v. Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland, […]
How a Maine court ruling on child sex abuse claims compares with the rest of the country
A battle is being waged across states about whether ‘retroactive laws’ reviving expired claims under previous statutes of limitations are constitutional.
Maine victim service providers want stability in state budget
Organizations that provide free services to victims say they need $6 million from the state to keep up their aid after a severe, ongoing drop in federal funding.
Judge sides with Maine religious order in child sexual abuse case
An Oregon woman had filed a lawsuit against the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate alleging she was abused almost 70 years ago by priests in Bucksport and Bar Harbor.
Former Topsham drama teacher will plead guilty to federal exploitation charges
Henry Eichman, 64, is already serving a 10-year sentence in state prison after pleading to sexual abuse charges in 2018.
Maine victims, Catholic Church wait nearly a year for high court ruling on childhood abuse cases
The cases against the Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland are one of many that are taking an unusual length of time to receive a ruling in recent years.