Former Loyola University Chicago Professor is Sued Again for Sexual Abuse
Another person is accusing Reverend John Powell, a Jesuit priest who taught at Loyola University Chicago, of child sexual abuse. The woman, who filed her Illinois personal injury lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court, is seeking at least $50,000 in damages.
The woman says Powell, now 83, molested her in 1967 during private counseling sessions when she was a 17-year-old teen attending a spiritual retreat. In her lawsuit, where she is identified as “Jane Doe 125,” the plaintiff contends that Powell made her sit on him, kiss him, and at least once had her take off part of her clothing so he could touch her.
Also named as a defendant in her child sex abuse lawsuit is Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus. The plaintiff says the Jesuit order was aware that Powell was sexually abusing minors and covered up his misconduct.
This is the third civil lawsuit filed since 2003 that seeks damages from Powell for alleged sexual abuse. Other alleged victims have accused Powell of using his roles as a professor and counseler to sexually abuse young girls. As a professor at Loyola University, he conducted numerous spiritual retreats where he had access to minors.
In a 2006 sex abuse lawsuit, a former Loyola University student sued the Chicago order of Jesuits because Powell allegedly sexually abused her during private counseling sessions when she was a college student. Plaintiff Diane Ruhl says school administrators and Jesuit leaders were notified about the abuse incidents but did nothing to stop Powell. In 2003, four females sued Powell for sexual abuse. He settled their civil lawsuit out of court in 2005.
Illinois Child Sex Abuse Lawsuit
While Illinois generally requires that victims of child sexual abuse file their civil lawsuits by their 28th birthday, a victim who is older can to file an Illinois sexual abuse lawsuit if no more than five years have passed since he or she “discovered” that the sexual abuse occurred. With this latest case, the woman claims that it was only recently that she realized Powell sexually abused her.
Delayed Discovery
It may take years for some victims of child sexual abuse to remember or realize what happened to them. The victim may have been too young to understand what happened or did not know how to properly convey that he or she was being abused. The victim may also have suppressed the memories out of fear or trauma. It can take years for the memories to resurface.
Former Loyola professor charged in sex abuse case, Chi Town Daily News, December 10, 2008
Former Loyola Jesuit was professor, author and counselor, Loyola Phoenix, December 4, 2008
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