Notre Dame investigation reveals sex abuse allegations involving priests

This story includes descriptions of sexual assault.

NOTRE DAME, Ind. (WISH) – The University of Notre Dame said an investigation into the former leader of a residence hall found multiple occurrences of sexual abuse. 

According to a 25-page report released this week, Rev. Thomas King  “sexually touched or assaulted” students at Notre Dame and after he left the University. The report says King engaged in “grooming behaviors” and used his power as an authority figure to orchestrate inappropriate situations. 

A common tactic detailed in the report involved King lying to students about his concern for their health, making them fully undress to weigh them. The investigation identified credible reports of 15 former students who were victims of the “weighing scheme”. 

Some witnesses said King coerced them into silence by threatening their ability to attend Notre Dame. 

King served as rector of Zahm Hall from 1980 to 1997. A rector oversees residence halls at the University, living with students in single-sex complexes. Zahm Hall was a men’s residence hall during King’s tenure. 

The Notre Dame Board of Trustees commissioned the investigation last fall following allegations of abuse involving King. A former sex crimes prosecutor, Helen Carter of ...