A lawsuit against Fordham University claims former priests' sexually abused minors on campus grounds.

It's a case attorneys say dates back to the 1970s. Children ages 10 to 15 were the alleged targets of sexual abuse by multiple priests at Fordham University.

Lawyers from the Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley law firm, say they have three clients who fell victim to abuse by John Joseph McCarthy. They tell News 12 he would lure children near the school with fun activities and candy. One of the accusers says the abuse happened in his early teens at sleepovers with the priest and other kids. He says McCarthy told them it was about manhood.

News 12 asked attorneys if they believed Fordham University was aware of the abuse.

Their response was, "Yes. They had other priests that were accused of sexual abuse," said Mike Grieco.

In 2023, Fordham University released a statement about the "Taking Responsibility Initiative," an initiative and study to dive deeper in the causes and prevention of clergy sexual abuse.

"We're here to stand up for the survivors that that have come forward to us to ensure that they're taking responsibility has a good definition, not just a textual definition on their website." said Grieco.