Perpetrator Alert: Father Edward Boyle, an alleged child molester who served as a priest for the Archdiocese of Seattle for over thirty years.
PCVA is alerting King, Snohomish, Skagit, Cowlitz, and Kitsap Counties about sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated by Father Edward Boyle from the 1950s through the 1980s.
If you or someone you know was sexually abused by Father Boyle, or has information pertaining to Father Boyle, our attorneys are here to listen and help. Learn more about how we help sexual abuse survivors, or schedule a free, confidential consultation with one of our lawyers by completing our online form or by calling us at (206) 536-2850.
This article provides information about the allegations against Father Edward Boyle and frequently asked questions about civil claims for sexual abuse.
What are the allegations against Father Edward Boyle?
Father Edward Boyle served as a priest for the Archdiocese of Seattle from 1950 through the 1987. To date, there have been three individuals who have accused Father Boyle of sexually abusing them when they were minors.
In 2005, a former altar boy filed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Seattle alleging he had been sexually abused by Father Boyle for eleven years, starting in the 1956, while Father Boyle was a priest at Immaculate Conception Church in Everett, Washington. In response to that lawsuit, the Archdiocese of Seattle acknowledged there had been past allegations against Father Boyle.
In 2024, two former altar boys filed lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Seattle alleging they had been sexually abused by Father Boyle in the 1980s while Father Boyle was a priest at St. John Catholic School in Seattle, Washington. Those lawsuits are still active.
Where did Father Edward Boyle serve as a priest?
Father Edward Boyle was assigned to following seminaries and parishes in Washington:
- 1940-1950: St. Edward’s Seminary, Kenmore, WA
- 1950-1956: St. Rose, Longview, WA
- 1956-1958: Immaculate Conception, Everett, WA
- 1958-1965: Immaculate Conception, Arlington, WA
- 1965-1968: Immaculate Heart of Mary, Sedro Woolley, WA
- 1968-1976: Holy Trinity, Bremerton, WA
- 1976-1980: St. Stephen the Martyr, Renton, WA
- 1980-1985: St. John Catholic School, Seattle, WA
- 1985-1986: St. John’s Hospital, Longview, WA
- 1986-1987: Sacred Heart, Bellevue, WA
Has PCVA previously represented individuals who were sexually abused by Father Edward Boyle?
Yes. Not only has PCVA represented hundreds of individuals who were abused by priests, PCVA also represents multiple adults who were sexually abused as children by Father Edward Boyle. PCVA’s familiarity with Father Boyle’s personnel file, access to court documents and records, and knowledge of critical witnesses provides PCVA with a significant amount of institutional knowledge when it comes to helping people who were sexually abused by Father Boyle.
How can sexual abuse impact its victims?
Even if there is no outward injury to the body, sexual abuse of a child can have serious psychological effects. The effects of sexual violence are many, but can include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Flashbacks
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Dissociation
- Panic attacks
- Substance abuse
- Disordered sleep
- Sexual dysfunction
These are serious issues that can harm a person’s ability to work, study, maintain relationships, and enjoy their lives. Treatment for sexual abuse-related damage can take a long time and become very expensive.
What is the current statute of limitations for child sex abuse in Washington State?
Survivors in Washington often file lawsuits decades after the abuse ended. However, there are many ways the statute of limitations can impact a case, so it is important you speak with an attorney to learn your rights. If you have any questions about the statute of limitations for your potential case, please contact us directly.
Can I sue anonymously if I’m worried about my privacy?
Most likely. The law usually allows attorneys to file lawsuits on behalf of survivors of childhood sexual abuse using a pseudonym, like “John Doe” or “Jane Doe,” or a person’s initials. It also may be possible to resolve your case privately without filing a lawsuit or going to court.
How can survivors receive damages for sexual abuse?
Our attorneys have been involved in some of the most complicated and concerning sexual abuse cases in the country, and we are often consulted by other law firms for guidance when representing abuse survivors. We take a trauma-informed approach to our representation that acknowledges the sensitive nature of each person’s case.
Every case is different and results – which depend on the law and the facts of the case – cannot be guaranteed. However, we will fight to hold negligent institutions and individuals accountable. Through our efforts, we have helped recover hundreds of millions of dollars in damages on behalf of abuse survivors. While no amount of monetary compensation can erase the trauma, the financial assistance can help pay for necessary expenses to allow the healing process to begin.
How much do you charge?
Our work is done on a contingency basis. This means that you do not pay us on an hourly basis, and we advance the costs of litigation. If we help you resolve your case, we receive a percentage of the gross amount you receive, and you reimburse us for the costs we advanced on your behalf.
Our case results
PCVA has a lengthy history of pursuing damages from youth-serving organizations that employed individuals who abused their positions of authority to sexually assault children, including religious organizations, school districts, foster care agencies, boarding homes, and hospitals. See below for links to some of our case results involving such entities:
- $25M Jury Verdict in Sexual Abuse Case Against the State of New Jersey
- $9.5M Settlement in Sexual Abuse Cases Against University Place School District
- $9.15M Settlement in Sexual Abuse Cases Against the Archdiocese of Seattle
- $7.5M Jury Verdict in Sexual Abuse Case Against YMCA
- $6.75M Settlement in Sexual Abuse Case Against the State of New Jersey
- $3.9M Settlement in Sexual Abuse Case Against Tahoma School District
- $3M Settlement in Sexual Abuse Case Against Seattle Public Schools
- $1.3M Settlement in Sexual Abuse Case Against the Archdiocese of Seattle
- $1.1M Settlement in Sexual Abuse Case Against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
See a more detailed list on our Case Results page.