NEW YORK
WIVB
By Mark Belcher, News 4 Digital Producer
Published: January 27, 2015
WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) – Two people who are now adults say they were abused as children are calling for a papal investigation into the handling of their case.
Vanessa DeRosa and Antonio Flores say they’re two New Yorkers who were motivated by Pope Francis’ call to action. Recently Pope Francis called for the church to make reparations to victims of sexual abuse.
Although the two victims have passed their respective statue of limitations, they say in a release through their lawyers, Hogan Willig, that they’re just looking for closure, and to help others.
DeRosa says she was abused as a middle school student in 2002. She was a student of St. Dominic Savio Middle School in Niagara Falls. She says a teacher exposed her to pornography and sexually abused her. The law office says that teacher has since admitted to his guilt in court.
Flores says he was abused when he was just 10-years-old, while living with his family in Buffalo. He said because his mom was a single mom, she asked the Catholic Church for help when she needed help with her sons. He said when a priest became closely involved, he began a five-year string of sexual abuse. Flores said the abuse went from once per week to once per day.
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