Lara St. John unveils abuse story at Curtis Institute during Child USA panel

In a poignant session of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee on May 5, 2025, Lara St. John, a world-renowned violinist and survivor of childhood abuse, shared her harrowing experiences at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Her testimony, delivered with raw emotion, highlighted the urgent need for reform in how institutions handle allegations of abuse.

St. John, who began playing the violin at the tender age of two, recounted her acceptance into Curtis, a moment that should have marked the beginning of a promising career. Instead, it became a nightmare. Under the tutelage of a distinguished professor, she faced escalating abuse that began with inappropriate touching and culminated in sexual assault. Despite her attempts to seek help, including a visit to the school’s dean, her pleas were met with mockery and disbelief. The dean's dismissive response, suggesting that the police would side with a long-standing faculty member over a student, left her feeling powerless.

After enduring years of trauma, St. John eventually left Curtis at 17, seeking refuge in an exchange program in the USSR. Despite her subsequent success as a soloist and her accolades, including a Juno Award and membership in the Order of Canada, she revealed that the scars of her past have overshadowed her achievements.

St. John’s decision to go public with her story in 2019 was a turning point, forcing Curtis to commission an independent report that validated her claims and uncovered further abuses. However, the institution's response—a brief letter of apology—left her feeling that justice had not been served.

Joining her in the panel was Professor Marcy Hamilton, founder of Child USA, a nonprofit dedicated to improving laws and policies to protect children's rights. Together, they emphasized the importance of accountability and the need for systemic change to prevent such abuses from happening in the future.

As the session concluded, the weight of St. John's story lingered in the air, a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for survivors seeking justice and the critical role of legislative bodies in enacting meaningful reforms. The discussions underscored a collective responsibility to ensure that no child endures what St. John faced, and that institutions prioritize the safety and well-being of their students above all else.