CAMDEN, NJ, April 30, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Attorneys representing multiple survivors of childhood sexual abuse suffered in the early 1980s have filed four additional lawsuits on behalf of four male victims against the Cherry Hill School District and Board of Education in Camden County Superior Court. The lawsuits brought this month are in addition to two similar lawsuits filed in 2023 on behalf of two additional victims.
The lawsuits allege that District officials failed to properly supervise and oversee a former sixth grade teacher, Otto Becken, who sexually abused and discriminated against young students between 1979-1983. The complaints detail instances of Becken's sexual assaults in the school and on an overnight week-long trip to an educational camp, Pinelands at Mt. Misery. The acts of sexual abuse included anal penetration, oral contact, fondling of genitals and sexually inappropriate comments, among other inappropriate behavior. The complaints also allege that District officials failed to make mandatory reports of known or suspected child abuse to New Jersey's Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), the state's child welfare agency in existence at the time.
According to the complaints, Becken was hired by the District in 1970 and by 1977, the Cherry Hill School District was made aware of his sexually inappropriate conduct and harassment. One of the victims alleged he witnessed Cooper Elementary School's then Principal observe Becken's sexual abuse. Despite this, the District continued to allow Becken access to vulnerable sixth grade students, thereby enabling his continued sexual abuse. The victims, who were between 11- 12 years old at the time, suffered years of trauma and long-term psychological harm. In a 1984 agreement with the District, Becken was permitted to voluntarily resign and forfeit his teaching certificate and in 1985, Becken plead guilty to three counts of sexual assault.
"This case is personal to me," said Derek Braslow, who is not only one of the attorneys representing the survivors but also a Cherry Hill East Class of 1989 graduate and former classmate of some of the survivors. He added: "This is a case about institutional failure and these complaints allege that the District had clear warnings and should have known about Becken's behavior, yet did nothing to protect the children under their care."
The lawsuits were filed under New Jersey's Child Victims Act, a 2019 law which extends the time limit for survivors of child sexual abuse to bring civil lawsuits. Jeffrey Fritz, another one of the survivors' attorneys, further commented that "Through this recent change in the law, which recognizes that it can take years or even decades for survivors of child sexual abuse to come forward, our clients can finally seek accountability and civil justice for the harm inflicted upon them."
Chuck Wicker, now 54, filed his lawsuit in 2023, and explained "Like so many others, it took me a while to come forward but it will have been worth it if it will help protect children in New Jersey." One of the other survivors in the lawsuit filed this week, who is identified only as John Doe 20, added: "No child should ever suffer this kind of victimization at a time when they are to be protected."
Anyone with knowledge about Otto Becken or related conduct in the Cherry Hill School District during the 1970s or 1980s, no matter how insignificant it may appear, is encouraged to contact the victims' attorneys confidentially. All communications will be handled with the utmost discretion and sensitivity.
If you have any information related to this case, you can make a difference. For confidential inquiries or to provide information, please contact:
Soloff & Zervanos, Cherry Hill, NJ
Jeffrey P. Fritz, Esq.
Phone: 445-456-2710
Email: jfritz@lawsz.com
Website: www.soloffandzervanos.com
Abir Cohen Treyzon and Salo, LLP, Wayne, PA
Derek Braslow, Esq.
Phone: 833-ACTS LAW
Email: dbraslow@actslaw.com
Website: www.actslaw.com
This press release aims to inform the public and stakeholders about this case and its implications for the Cherry Hill School District and to seek information from anyone who has knowledge about this matter.
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