Chicago Archdiocese Settles Clergy Sex Abuse Lawsuits for $12.7 Million
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago has reached a $12.7 Million settlement agreement with 16 victims of clergy sex abuse. Cardinal Francis George says he hopes the settlement would provide closure to the victims. During a news conference on Tuesday, he apologized to the victims and their families for their injuries and suffering.
The victims were abused by 11 former Catholic priests, including Daniel McCormack, Norbert Maday, Joseph Bennett, Robert Mayer, Robert Craig, James Hagan, Thomas Kelly, Robert Becker, Joseph Owens, James Steel, and Kenneth Ruge. With these latest settlements, the archdiocese will have settled 250 abuse claims over the past three decades.
Child Sex Abuse
Victims of child sex abuse are entitled to personal injury compensation from their perpetrators. Many times, children are too scared or ashamed to tell anyone that they’ve been the victims of sexual abuse—they may even repress the memories for years.
Since the early 1990’s, there have been many clergy sex abuse lawsuits filed against the Roman Catholic Church and many of its priests and other clergy members by the families of victims that were sexually abused as children. Some victims were sexually abused many times over a period of years.
In certain cases, there is evidence indicating that the Catholic Church knew that some of its priests were abusing children. Rather than reporting the priest to authorities, he or she would be relocated to another church and more abuse incidents would occur.
Sexual abuse can lead to serious personal injuries, including physical injuries and emotional injuries. A person that has been sexually abused may experience post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, turn to alcohol or drugs, commit suicide, or exhibit other symptoms as a result of the trauma of abuse.
Chicago archdiocese settles priest sex-abuse cases for $12.7 million, ChicagoTribune.com, August 12, 2008
Archdiocese announces settlement with sex abuse victims, Lake County News-Sun, August 12, 2008
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