Delbarton School Sex Abuse Lawsuit
Video Transcript
The Delbarton School in Morristown, New Jersey, is a Catholic middle and high school for boys. Over the past 15 years, it has repeatedly been in the news over allegations of sexual abuse by clergy members, including a former headmaster. Today, nearly 40 lawsuits have been filed against the school by former students who alleged they were sexually abused while attending Delbarton, with some cases dating back as far as the 1970s. Survivors say the school not only failed to protect them, but also enabled and covered up abuse by clergy.
In 2018, Delbarton itself acknowledged that 30 victims have come forward with abuse allegations against 13 clergy members. Other lawsuits were filed by former students in 2012 and 2021. Recent court cases continue to shed light on Delbarton’s history of abuse. In September 2025, the first civil trial against Delbarton began.
New Jersey law provides survivors with important legal rights. Under the state’s Child Victims Act passed in 2019, survivors can file lawsuits until the age of 55 or within 7 years of discovering the harm caused by the abuse. For criminal cases, New Jersey eliminated the statute of limitations for most sexual offenses in 1996, allowing survivors of abuse that occurred after that year to report anytime. Civil lawsuits give survivors a legal path to hold perpetrators and institutions accountable and to pursue compensation for medical costs, lost wages, emotional distress, and other damages. Because these cases are complex, survivors often hire attorneys with experience handling sexual abuse lawsuits against schools and clergy.
At helping survivors, we connect people with attorneys who focus on these cases. Our legal partners work on a contingency basis, meaning there is no upfront legal cost and they are only paid if they win your case. If you or someone you know experienced sexual abuse at Delbarton School, you may have legal options. Contact Helping Survivors to learn more about your rights and whether filing a lawsuit may be possible in your case.
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