BishopAccountability.org

Two more church sex abuse accusers brings total to 35

By Krystal Paco
KUAM
March 28, 2017

http://www.kuam.com/story/35010309/2017/03/28/two-more-church-sex-abuse-accusers-brings-total-to-35


[with video]

The number of plaintiffs suing for clergy sex abuse rises. Today, two more victims file suit in the Superior Court of Guam. Today's fillings mark the 34th and 35th victims to surface since Guam law was changed to lift the statute of limitations for child sex abuse cases.

Like the others, he alleges he was a victim of child sex abuse at the hands of a clergy member.

Only listed by his initials M.M., the 56-year-old alleges he was abused by priest and Boy Scout troop leader Father Louis Brouillard when he was around 10-years-old. The complaint, which was filed in the Superior Court of Guam on Tuesday, alleges Brouillard would drive around the Malojojo village on Saturday nights, picking up M.M. and other altar boys to serve mass the next morning - or at least that's what the priest told parents.

According to the complaint filed against the Archdiocese of Agana and the Boy Scouts of America Aloha Council, M.M. was subject to fondling, masturbation, and oral sex in the Church and rectory. The abuse wasn't limited to church grounds as M.M. alleges on Boy Scout outings, he was subject to having his genitals fondled in order to earn merit badges, such as swimming and water rescue.

Joining M.M. in filing suit today is 55-year-old John Cruz of Agat who was also an altar boy at the San Isidro Church in Malojojo and a Boy Scout. According to Cruz, Father Brouillard had him strip naked under the guise of teaching him how to swim. Cruz alleges the former priest subjected him to fondling, masturbation, oral sex, and anal sex.

Both plaintiffs are calling out the Church and the Boy Scout for failing to protect the boys from the pedophile priest who was a known sexual predator. The complaint further alleges the Boy Scouts knew the majority of boys were abused during one-on-one situations but failed to warn the parents or change the program in order to protect themselves.

"The Boy Scouts knew that if they revealed the truth, their revenues would sharply decrease, they knew they would lose their prestige and reputation as a "safe" program for boys, and they knew they would likely face legal liability for the thousands of boys who had already been sexually abused by their volunteers."

Both men demand a jury trial of six, but don't specify an amount in damages. Both are represented by attorney Kevin Fowler who in a press release states "People who survived abuse should not think they have to make their names publicly known in order to seek justice and accountability."

 




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