Helping California Survivors of Sexual Abuse at Servite High School
If you were abused by a priest, teacher, coach, staff member, or trusted adult at Servite High School—or any other California school—we want to help you.
Servite High School, a Catholic college preparatory school for boys located in Anaheim, California, was founded in 1958 and claims to be committed to developing students through academic excellence, prestigious athletics, and extracurricular opportunities. It was through these activities Fr. Kevin Fitzpatrick accessed and allegedly sexually abused minor student-athletes.
Fr. Kevin Fitzpatrick was ordained in 1954 and worked at Catholic schools and institutions in California, Illinois, and Oregon. From approximately 1971 to 1993, Fitzpatrick worked at Servite High School in the Diocese of Orange, where he held positions including teacher, water polo and swimming team coach, and Assistant Principal. From approximately 1976 through 1979, Fitzpatrick used his authoritative position at Servite High School to groom a minor male student-athlete and sexually assault him.
Fitzpatrick was a trusted figure at Servite High School and in the Anaheim community. In approximately 2016 or 2017, a new multi-million dollar aquatic center was named in Fitzpatrick’s memory. In 2022, after lawsuits were filed under the historic California Child Victims’ Act identifying Fitzpatrick as an alleged perpetrator, Servite High School renamed the aquatic center due to “a pending review of the recent allegations of misconduct made against him.”
In September of 2022, an Orange County Register article revealed another lawsuit was filed alleging that a Servite High School teacher, Robert C. Cotton, sexually abused a minor student on a bi-weekly basis for years. This was the first time that Robert C. Cotton was publicly named as an alleged abuser.
In addition to Fr. Kevin Fitzpatrick and Robert C. Cotton, there are three other employees who worked at Servite High School who have been accused of sexual misconduct, or have been named as defendants in a child sexual abuse lawsuit. The full list of alleged perpetrators who worked at Servite High School are:
- Fr. Kevin Fitzpatrick
- Br. Gregory Atherton
- Fr. Donald Duplessis (Duplessius)
- Br. Joe Sharkey
- Robert C. Cotton (layperson)
Jeff Anderson & Associates represent numerous courageous survivors who were abused at Servite High School. At least 6 survivors have come forward and filed legal claims for alleged abuse that occurred at Servite High School. Unfortunately, it is likely that there are more students out there who have yet to come forward who were abused at Servite.
If you were sexually abused by an employee or volunteer at Servite High School, 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. Not only can taking legal action bring a sense of empowerment, it could also potentially stop other kids from being abused.
If you are concerned about your privacy, or remaining anonymous, you can learn more about that in our Questions & Answers section on our website.
If you were sexually abused by a priest, counselor, teacher, coach, or other trusted adult at Servite High School. Contact us confidentially.
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. This means survivors abused in California only have until December 31, 2022 to take legal action.
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 serious 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.
Clergy Accused of Child Sexual Abuse at Servite High School
The list below contains the names of clergy and teachers who worked at Servite High School who have been accused of sexual misconduct, as well as the years they worked at the school. 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.
