Perpetrator Alert: Terry McGrath, convicted child sexual perpetrator and former athletic coach, employee, and volunteer for the Archdiocese of Seattle.
PCVA is alerting the Seattle and Kirkland areas about sexual abuse reportedly perpetrated by Terry McGrath from the late 1960s through the 1980s.
This article provides information about the allegations against Terry McGrath and frequently asked questions about claims of sexual abuse.
What are the allegations against Terry McGrath?
Terry McGrath allegedly sexually abused several children while he was an athletic coach, employee, and volunteer for the Archdiocese of Seattle.
Specifically, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Terry McGrath was a volunteer coach at St. Louise Parish in Bellevue; in the 1970s, he was a coach and volunteer at Holy Family Parish in Kirkland; and from 1976 to 1989, he was an athletic director for the Archdiocese of Seattle. During his tenure, Terry McGrath allegedly sexually abused multiple minor students.
Prior to his involvement with the Archdiocese of Seattle, Terry McGrath was convicted in California of crimes involving the sexual abuse of minors. As a result of these convictions, Terry McGrath was placed on the California sex offender registry.
Despite his public criminal history, when Terry McGrath moved from California to Washington, he was hired by the Archdiocese of Seattle to work with the youth—a position he reportedly used to access and sexually abuse minors.
PCVA represents multiple individuals who were sexually abused by Terry McGrath. If you or someone you know was sexually abused by Terry McGrath or has information pertaining to Terry McGrath, 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.
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 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 can usually file lawsuits decades after the abuse ended. However, there are many ways the statute of limitations can be triggered, so it is important you speak with an attorney. If you have any questions about the statute of limitations for your potential case, please contact us directly.
Can I come forward or 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 and expertise 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 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 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:
- $9.15M Settlement for 8 Women Sexually Abused in the Seattle Archdiocese
- $7.5M Jury Verdict for Child Sex Abuse Case Against YMCA
- $4.2M Settlement Reached in Coach Sexual Abuse Case Against University Place School District
- $3.9M Settlement in Sexual Abuse Against Tahoma School District