Notre Dame Report Faults Response to Priest's 25-Page Abuse Allegations
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 31
Notre Dame Report Faults Response to Priest's 25-Page Abuse Allegations
4 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 31
A 25-page report commissioned by Notre Dame found the university failed to act on years of alleged sexual misconduct by former priest Rev. Thomas King against students.
The investigation said King ran a coercive "weighing scheme" in the 1980s and 1990s, telling male students to undress fully before being weighed in a locker room, where some were sexually touched or assaulted.
Witnesses told investigators they had complained to university employees as early as the 1990s, but staff in two departments said they could not recall receiving the reports.
The report said some employees who did hear complaints did not grasp the sexual implications of the weighing, and it noted Notre Dame had faced other priest abuse allegations before.
After a damning report on decades of abuse, can Notre Dame's new policies truly protect its students?
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Notre Dame Abuse Scandal: Key Findings, Institutional Response, and Calls for Independent Oversight
Overview
After a report revealed sexual abuse and misconduct at the University of Notre Dame, the university responded by launching a Counseling Support Program to help survivors and providing new and existing support channels for students, faculty, and staff. Leadership also pledged to submit annual reports to the Board of Trustees, showing a commitment to transparency and ongoing improvement. These actions aim to offer essential care to those affected, monitor progress, and ensure the campus community is safer in the future. The university’s response highlights both immediate support and a long-term strategy for accountability and prevention.