Few people have left scars across the state of New York like Dr. Reginald Archibald.
A celebrated endocrinologist during his lifetime, Archibald was trusted by generations of parents who worried that their children were not growing properly. Instead of helping the minors in his care, he allegedly sexually molested them, claiming it was part of the “treatment.”
Thirty years later, Larry Nassar used the same strategy to molest gymnasts in the Olympic training system. Hundreds of female gymnasts have come forward claiming they were sexually abused by Nassar; often stating that Nassar said the abuse was “treatment.”
During his 30-year career at Rockefeller Hospital, Reginald Archibald treated approximately 9,000 children. There are no accurate numbers reflecting how many of the children were sexually molested, but those numbers are estimated to be in the thousands. When survivors first started coming forward, Rockefeller Hospital officials launched an investigation, which corroborated survivors’ accounts of abuse. The investigation also found that many survivors had come forward years earlier, but were rebuffed and dismissed by hospital staff.
At the same time that Archibald was seeing vulnerable pediatric patients with possible growth delays at Rockefeller Hospital, , Archibald made a home as a volunteer physician at the Madison Square Boys and Girls Clubs, a local youth organization There, he allegedly sexually abused young kids from the 1950s to 1980s.
It is unknown how many children Archibald harmed at the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club, but more than 149 survivors have come forward under New York’s Child Victims Act. Because of the sheer number of survivors, the organization has sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Now, survivors only have until November 10, 2022, to come forward and file a claim. After November 10, 2022, it will be too late to use the courts to expose what happened and seek accountability.
Survivors should never have a deadline to come forward about abuse, but unfortunately, the current rules of our legal system require them. We know that abuse is never the child’s fault. We also know that no child ever deserves to be sexually exploited by a person in a profound position of trust.
If you were abused by Dr. Reginald Archibald, or any other employee or volunteer at Madison Square Boys & Girls Club, but are scared to come forward, we understand. It’s important to note that any conversations you have with our firm will be confidential and compassionate.
If you are concerned about your privacy, or remaining anonymous, you can learn more about that in our Questions & Answers section on our website.