Mount Cashel Civil Trial Enters Third Day at Supreme Court

VOCM
April 6, 2016

http://www.vocm.com/newsarticle.asp?mn=2&id=61723&latest=1

Another former resident of Mount Cashel continued testimony today at Supreme Court.

The man, now in his 70s, says he witnessed other children being beaten about twice a day, every day, during his time at the orphanage. He says no one would dare report the abuse to anyone, because a Christian Brother would be present throughout every visit with relatives—something he says he always found to be strange. The man told the court he was once taken to hospital for a knee injury he received during a beating. He says children were regularly warned not to tell doctors or dentists that their injuries were caused by anyone at Mount Cashel, so he told the doctor he hurt himself on the softball field.

The man says he once reported a beating to a member of the clergy, and was told his abuser would be reprimanded, though nothing ever changed. He says after arriving late for showers one morning, the water was too cold for him to use. One of the Brothers forced him to shower anyway, and when he couldn't bring himself to get under the freezing water, he was beaten with a strap, naked. The man says the pain was atrocious and that he "screamed like hell." He says he felt like he had no dignity as a grown man watched and forced him to shower in freezing cold water.

The civil trial is set to continue at Supreme Court for the next several weeks.