The movie “Spotlight” tells the story of the Boston Globe's investigation into sexual abuse of children by priests. Its release has refocused the general public on a scandal that, by some measures, reached its peak nearly a decade ago.

But for some Connecticut attorneys who have represented sex abuse victims in civil lawsuits, the issue has never completely gone away.

“There certainly are less cases now than there were about 15 years ago,” acknowledged New Haven attorney Thomas McNamara, who nevertheless still has a number of pending priest abuse lawsuits. “I saw the movie, and thought it was mandatory viewing for anyone who cares about abuse of power by prominent institutions in the world today.”