Helping California Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Hazing at Mater Dei High School
If you were abused by a priest, teacher, coach, staff member, or trusted adult at Mater Dei High School—or any other California school—we want to help you.
Hazing is a crime punishable in criminal and civil courts
Dozens of survivors at Mater Dei have come forward to expose child sexual abuse at the prestigious Catholic high school. The shocking allegations range from the 1970s to 2021.
In November 2021, a recent survivor of hazing on the nationally ranked football team made national headlines with the truth about how a hazing ritual and the ensuing actions by school officials and coaches left him with a brain injury. The case is forcing a deep look into the practices of the school, its sports teams, and coaches, like storied head football coach Bruce Rollinson. The case alleges that school officials and coaches have known about hazing for years and have done nothing to stop the practice.
Jeff Anderson and Associates represents numerous other survivors of child sexual abuse at Mater Dei. We support the men and women who have come forward to expose accused predators including Mr. Bernie Balsis, Msgr. Michael Harris and the more than a dozen other alleged perpetrators who worked at the school.
If you were sexually abused by a priest, counselor, teacher, coach, or other trusted adult at Mater Dei High School. Contact us confidentially.
The motto of the school is “Honor, Glory, Love.” At Jeff Anderson and Associates, all of us believe that survivors and students should be the subject of that honor, not sports teams, coaches, reputation, or school officials.
Mater Dei High School is a Catholic school located in Santa Ana, California, operating in the Diocese of Orange. It was established in 1950 with approximately 100 students. In the decades following Mater Dei’s establishment, enrollment increased in unison with funding and support from the City of Santa Ana. It is now the “flagship school” of the city and the Diocese of Orange.
California Child Victims Act
On January 1, 2020, the California Child Victims Act (AB 218) opened a three-year window for California child sexual assault survivors of any age to file claims against their perpetrators and the institutions responsible for the abuse, no matter when the abuse occurred. If you were sexually assaulted as a child in California, it’s time to take legal action, begin healing and help make California safer for children today.
You Are Not Alone. We Are Here to Help.
It’s time for justice. It’s time for you to share your story safely and confidentially. It’s time to lay down your burden and reclaim some of your power. It’s time to expose those who hurt you and make sure what happened to you never happens to another child. It’s time to take action under the California Child Victims Act. Before making a decision concerning such severe and sensitive matters, we encourage all survivors of child sexual abuse to consult with legal counsel before proceeding with a claim. We want to help you find accountability and healing. We will stand by you. We will fight for you.
If you were sexually abused by a priest, counselor, teacher, coach, or other trusted adult at Mater Dei High School. Contact us confidentially.
Clergy Accused of Child Sexual Abuse in Mater Dei High School
The list below contains the names of clergy and teachers who were assigned within or working in Mater Dei High School who have been accused of sexual misconduct. While lawsuits were filed involving many of these alleged perpetrators, the vast majority of the claims against these individuals have not been fully adjudicated in a civil or criminal court. Accordingly, the allegations should be considered just allegations and should not be considered proved or substantiated in a court of law.
