Attorney: Sex abuse victims can hide identity

By Mindy Aguon
Guam Daily Post
March 28, 2017

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/attorney-sex-abuse-victims-can-hide-identity/article_d8aea586-135a-11e7-8160-03d57ce430be.html

LAWSUITS: San Isidro Church in Malojloj is shown on Tuesday, March 28. Two sex abuse lawsuits with ties to the church were filed yesterday. Photo by David Castro

Victims of sexual abuse can file civil action and protect their identity, according to attorney Kevin Fowler.

The attorney, along with Washington-based law firm Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala, filed two lawsuits in the Superior Court of Guam yesterday against the Archdiocese of Agana and Father Louis Brouillard.

One lawsuit was filed by an individual with the initials "M.M."

Fowler said it is the first sex-abuse suit against the Catholic Church on Guam that protects the identity of sexual abuse survivors. He said it's common for courts to protect the identity of sexual assault victims, including survivors of childhood sexual abuse, at least until trial.

"People who survived abuse should not think they have to make their names publicly known in order to seek justice," Fowler said.

The lawsuit filed by "M.M.," 56, who resides in Washington, alleges that Brouillard, a former priest at San Isidro Parish in Malojloj and a former Boy Scout Master on Guam, sexually abused him for approximately five years during overnight stays at the parish rectory beginning when he was 9 years old. He also alleges he and other altar boys were fondled and molested during a break in Mass at the monastery for the Carmelite Sisters, court documents state.

The former altar boy said he complained to a priest of the archdiocese who was visiting the San Isidro Parish and Carmelite Sisters, but "nothing was done to protect M.M. and other altar boys from Brouillard," court documents state.

Second suit

The second lawsuit, filed by John Cruz, 55, of Agat, alleges he was subjected to fondling, masturbation, penetration and oral sex by Brouillard. The lawsuit alleges Brouillard used his position as a priest to sexually abuse Cruz at the rectory of the San Isidro parish and his position as scout leader to sexually abuse Cruz at Malojloj Falls, where he allegedly was forced to strip naked under the guise of being taught how to swim.

Cruz, in a press release, said he chose to file the lawsuit using his full name.

"I know I could have used my initials, but I hope that by using my full name, other abuse survivors will recognize my name and come forward so we can seek closure together," Cruz said.

Fowler said his office will allow prospective clients the choice to use their real name, their initials or a pseudonym, until told otherwise by a court.

Both lawsuits seek a jury trial and damages in an amount to be proven at trial. The latest filings bring the total number of lawsuits filed against the Catholic Church on Guam to 35.