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Hope and Healing Will Review Sex Abuse Lawsuits for Possible Settlement

By Janela Carrera
Pacific News Center
June 7, 2017

http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/local/13687

Guam - While the church sex abuse lawsuits continue to move along in District Court, Hope and Healing Guam says they will also be reviewing those cases for possible settlement.

It’s been several weeks since Hope and Healing Guam gave an update on the organizations efforts but today during a press conference, Executive Director Michael Caspino says they have been busy.

"We have had dozens and dozens and dozens of people calling for counseling. We have had people calling in from as far away as the East Coast asking for counseling--former islanders. We have had people calling from the West Coast and we have been able to provide them with counseling sessions," noted Caspino.

But it isn’t just the non-profit organization’s hotline that’s been busy; Caspino revealed that he’s been in contact with the attorneys representing over 75 victims of clergy sexual abuse. And although all those cases are moving along in both federal and local court, Caspino says there is a consensus that settling out of court is preferred.

"Over the summer, we’re gonna review every single claim including the 75 that have been filed. We are working with the plaintiffs’ attorneys now and we assume that they’re gonna want their cases put before the board and reviewed and resolved and get their claims and be able to move on," said Caspino.

PNC: "Whether or not the cases move forward in court?"

"Well the cases as far as--because I’ve talked to some of the attorneys, well pretty much all the attorneys of the cases and I think there’s near universal agreement that this is the better way to go than to slug it out in court," Caspino said.

In fact, Caspino notes that some of those who have filed lawsuits against the church have also called into the Hope and Healing hotline. He also says that there are a number of victims who have no legal representation and are seeking immediate compensation. That hasn’t happened since there hasn’t been a quorum on the board until today.

Review Board Chairperson Alicia Limtiaco announced the new members: Retired Human Services Administrator with Public Health Lydia Diaz Tenorio, retired educator Nieves Flores, OB/GYN and Healing Hearts Rape Crisis Center medical consultant Dr. Ellen Bez, and Faith Presbyterian Pastor Tom Van Engen.

"The Hope and Healing board is an independent board that is here to serve victims and survivors and families who want to speak about and express the trauma and pain that they have suffered as a result of clergy abuse, sexual molestation and other forms of exploitation. We are an independent board, we are not here to defend the archdiocese," she announced.

You can read about the biographies of the board members below:

Alicia A.G. Limtiaco served as the U.S. Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the NMI from June 2010 until March 2017. She was elected and served as the Attorney General of Guam from 2007 to 2010. Prior to her tenure as the Attorney General, Limtiaco served as the acting Chief Prosecutor and as Lead Prosecutor of the Criminal Sexual Conduct and Family Violence Unit. Limtiaco spearheaded initiatives and chaired task forces addressing child sexual exploitation; family violence; sexual assault; and human trafficking.

Tom Van Engen earned B.A. in Psychology at Dordt College. He is veteran of the U.S. Army. Van Engen worked with Handicapped people, in CD counseling and Social Work, in the Minnesota Legislature, and in sales/marketing. He often served as elder and lay preacher, and was ordained at Hawarden (Iowa) Christian Reformed Church, and now pastors Faith Presbyterian CRC. In Guam, he serves in the Guam Ministerial Association, on the Guam Parole Board, Adjunct Instructor and Advisory Board at PIU, Vice Chair of GuVOAD, and Chairs the Guam Cru Board.

Nieves Flores is a retired educator with more than 30 years’ experience in the field of special education and a life-long advocate for individuals with disabilities from birth through adult. She served as a special educator classroom teacher, coordinator, and assistant superintendent with the Guam Department of Education, Special Education teacher with DODDS in England, and faculty with the UOG School of Education. Education background: B.A., Simmons College, Boston, Ma.; M.Ed., Boston, University, and Ed.D. University of San Diego.

Lydia Diaz Tenorio is a social worker by profession. She is a retired Human Services Administrator with more than 30 years of service with the Bureau of Social Services Administration of the Department of Public Health & Social Services that had oversight of various Child Welfare Programs. She performed Direct and Front Line Casework Services in Child Protective Services, Foster Care, Adoption and Custody, Family Preservation and Child Care operations. She provided for the planning and development of program policies, procedures and legislation.

Dr. Ellen Bez, MD, came to Guam in 1993 to practice internal medicine at PMC Isla Health System. In 1999, she began her private practice teaming up with Dr. Annie Bordallo and Dr. Rosie Villagomez to form Marianas Physicians Group. She is President of Sagua Managu Birthing Center and is the medical consultant for the Healing Hearts Rape Crisis Center. Dr. Bez attended Howard University College of Medicine where she earned her medical degree. She completed her residency at the North Shore University Hospital-Cornell University Cooperating Hospital in Manhasset, New York. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the National Board of Examiners. She is a member of the Guam Medical Association and the American College of Physicians.

 

 

 

 

 




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