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	Victim Speaks after Winning LI Church Abuse Lawsuit Associated Press, carried in Staten Island Advance May 18, 2007 http://www.silive.com/newsflash/metro/index.ssf?/base/news-25/1179523488169480.xml&storylist=simetro Mineola, N.Y. — Statement by the female victim in a lawsuit against the Diocese of Rockville Centre, St. Raphael's Church, the Rev. Thomas Haggerty, and former youth minister Matthew Maiello. The 23-year-old spoke outside the courtroom following the jury's finding of negligence: "I'd just like to say that the reason for seeking justice in a civil trial was to ensure that the truth finally came out and that this might prevent the abuse from happening to children everywhere. "This has been an eye-opening experience and I hope it's been an eye-opening experience for everyone out there. Knowing that the verdict came the way it did, that the church was found reckless, it makes my efforts worthwhile in all of this. "Children cannot be the eyes and ears for themselves, they cannot prevent sexual abuse from happening, they cannot protect themselves from sexual predators like Matthew Maiello. It is the job of adults in the position of authority and in the position of power to protect children from monsters, from pedophiles like Matthew Maiello. "I know that there are tens of thousands of victims out there, whether they be children or whether they be adults. And I know that it's very difficult, as it has been for myself, in coming forward and speaking about these horrible incidents that have happened to them. "But I am their voice. "I am here for justice. No adult should turn a blind eye when it comes to concerns brought to their attention in the regard of the safety of children. No adult should turn a blind eye, and Father Thomas Haggerty of St. Raphael's did that and he is now being held accountable. I know that I cannot change the past, but I can try my hardest to change the future."
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