Investigation Response

Since the release of the findings from the sexual misconduct investigation in 2019, we continue to focus our efforts on supporting alumni survivors and the well-being of our students. Information, including alumni resources and current protocols and programs that foster a safe and inclusive learning environment, can be found below.

Catlin Gabel Therapy Fund

The Catlin Gabel Therapy Fund was created in March 2020 to provide former students with financial assistance for current and past therapy costs related to sexual abuse by former employees at the school. This fund will remain open and continue to support survivors for as long as it is needed.

Who do I contact to access the Fund?
Any former Catlin Gabel student who is in need of counseling resources is encouraged to contact Bernie Fitzgerald, who manages the school’s Therapy Fund. He is not a Catlin Gabel employee and lives on the East Coast. Bernie can be reached at berniejfitzgerald@gmail.com or (508) 269-4668.

What amount of support is available?
The Catlin Gabel Therapy Fund provides a $10,000 lifetime maximum for covered services for approved former students, including coverage for past therapy related to sexual abuse. Requests for additional treatment will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

How does the process work?
The Therapy Fund Manager will ask callers to provide certain information, such as name, date of birth, class year, current address, phone number, email, the name of the alleged perpetrator, dates of the alleged abuse, and a brief description of the nature of the alleged abuse to verify their status as a former student at Catlin Gabel. Once this is completed, the caller is automatically approved for financial assistance or reimbursement. The Fund Manager will process timely reimbursements.

Catlin Gabel will not have access to callers’ therapy treatment records or other confidential information. No personally identifiable information, including the name of the caller, will be provided to Catlin Gabel. The Fund Manager will report incidents to the state as required in accordance with Oregon state law but otherwise maintains confidentiality concerning all information received.

What type of therapies are covered?
The therapies recommended by a licensed, qualified mental health professional are covered.

What are the qualifications for an eligible mental health provider?
Providers must be licensed to practice in their state and hold a master’s degree or higher in a mental health discipline.

RAINN Hotline

RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network), is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. It also created and operates The National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE or online.rain.org), which can be used to access confidential and anonymous immediate support services—including crisis intervention, information, and resources—24/7, in both English and Spanish.

Reporting Misconduct or Abuse

Disclosing Misconduct

All reports of sexual misconduct are taken seriously. In addition to conducting an internal investigation, if appropriate, Catlin Gabel reports any allegation to Oregon’s Department of Human Services and Washington County’s Sheriff’s Office. The school does not typically not share any details publicly until after the Sheriff’s Office has notified us that they have completed their investigation.

All divisional parents/guardians and age-appropriate students, as well as all employees, are notified anytime an employee leaves the school. Alumni are not notified when employees leave the school, as they are typically not engaged in daily school life.

Current Safety Practices and Protocols

Protecting the safety, welfare, and health of our students is paramount. Our policies, regulations, and safeguards have been benchmarked against and rise above the standards set by the National Association of Independent Schools. They are annually reviewed and updated as needed, and shared with our community.

Here you can access the current campus safety practices and protocols, and each fall employees and students are trained on them. For more information regarding the ways that Catlin Gabel supports student wellbeing and safety, please visit our student resources Student Well-Being and Safety page.

2019 Key Factual Findings and Related Communications

In October 2018, Catlin Gabel’s Board of Trustees became aware of alumni reports on social media of sexual misconduct by a former faculty member. The Board responded by hiring independent investigator Lori Watson of Watson Law Workplace Investigations, LLC to formally engage in a broad inquiry of any sexual misconduct at any time at Catlin Gabel. Her key factual findings were shared with the Catlin Gabel community on December 11, 2019. Reader discretion is advised.

Related Communications

This year's current safety information can be found in the above section.