Two adults who were sexually abused by a former priest have been awarded $3 million-$2M and $1M judgments, respectively- in their Boston clergy sex abuse case against John Dority. The two victims were 10 and 13 when the ex-clergyman molested them during the early’s 70’s and late ’60’s while they were members of a West Roxbury parish. The Massachusetts sex abuse occurred over several years.
Dority has admitted to abusing the plaintiffs. Now, 70, he is a registered sex offender who has already served time behind bars for child molestation.
The judgments were issued to the victims after Dority failed to respond to the Boston child sex abuse lawsuit and chose not appear in court. Suffolk Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders, who issued the award, said no amount could fully make up for the plaintiff’s suffering. Dority, however, likely does not have $3 million to pay the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs’ Boston child sex abuse case against the Order of Friars Minor Province of the Most Holy Name, is still pending.
According to the Boston Globe, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priest Director David Clohessy has said that significance of the award amount is that it publicly validates the degree of suffering that the victims experienced because they were sexually abused. This is understandable, seeing as the effects of sexual abuse can last a lifetime.
In addition to prosecutors filing criminal charges against the perpetrators, a victim may be able to sue his/her abuser for damages. Even if the Boston child sex abuse happened years ago, you may still be able to recover compensation.
While winning your Massachusetts sex abuse lawsuit cannot erase what happened to you or the devastation it has created in your life, it could help you in your healing while holding your assailant liable.
Priest abuse victims get $3m ruling, Boston.com, October 22, 2011
$3 Million Awarded In Mass. Priest Sex Abuse Case, CBS Boston/AP, October 21, 2011
Database of Publicly Accused Priests in the United States, BishopAccountability.org
Abuse in the Catholic Church, The Boston Globe
More Blog Posts:
Kingston, Massachusetts School Psychologist Placed on Leave Over Clergy Sex Abuse Allegations, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, June 23, 2011
Former Campers Step Forward Claiming They Were Victims of Massachusetts Child Sexual Abuse at Camp Good News in Sandwich, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, April 13, 2011
Ex-Children’s Hospital Boston Pediatrician Sued for Boston Medical Malpractice and the Sex Abuse of Child Patients, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, February 17, 2011
It is important that you work with a Boston injury lawyer that is experienced in successfully dealing with Massachusetts clergy sex abuse cases yet also understands the sensitivity of the issue at hand and your likely need for confidentiality.