Statement of District Attorney Rollins

BOSTON, April 13, 2021 — “I continue to be amazed by the courage of the victims of Patrick Rose, Sr., particularly in the wake of this intense and nearly unwavering media coverage.  Please imagine how painful it must be for them to face the constant barrage of headlines, and how exposed and re-traumatized they likely feel.  It is not their fault that Patrick Rose, Sr. is a public figure and that the community seeks transparency regarding the Boston Police’s actions, or inactions, back in 1995.  I acknowledge that there is a tension here between the public's right to transparency and a victim's right to privacy.  I also know that hate and harm often breed in silence, but these individuals deserve the privacy protections that our Massachusetts laws guarantee them as victims of sexual assault.  Accordingly, I ask the media and the public to respect their privacy and hope that BPD’s quick release of appropriately redacted records will put an end to this re-traumatizing nightmare for the survivors of these crimes.  My office will continue to support them and advocate for all victims of sexual assault on their journey to healing. 

“As I have said before, sexual assault and rape can happen to anyone.  If someone does not feel comfortable calling my office or the Police, another resource is the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center's free and confidential 24-hour hotline at 800-841-8371. BARCC provides medical accompaniment and many other free services to victims or rape and sexual assault.”

Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 25,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.