In Orange County Superior Court, a 25-year-old man identifying himself as "John Doe" has filed a California child sex abuse lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, the Franciscan Friars of California, and two priests. The plaintiff used to be a Catholic school student at a Huntington Beach parish. He claims that Reverend Gus Krumm and Reverend Alexander Manville, who is now retired, molested him during the 90's. He is accusing the diocese of failing to prevent the abuse from happening.
The plaintiff says he was 8 when both priests began molesting him. He claims that during one incident, both men abused him at the same time. He didn't tell his parents or the school about the incidents. His Orange County, California sex abuse lawsuit, however, contends that the diocese could have removed one of the priests from the school--after a sex abuse settlement was paid to another accuser--but failed to do so. Krumm, who later would admit to sexual misconduct with children, now has been removed from the ministry.
This is not the first sex abuse lawsuit that has been brought against the diocese. In 2005, the diocese paid $100 million in settlements to 90 people complaining that they had been sexually abused. Other lawsuits have been filed since then.
In February, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange settled the sex abuse lawsuit filed by a plaintiff claiming that a priest molested him during the 1990's. Fountain Valley resident Jonathan Kirrer, now 24, says that Reverend Denis Lyons abused him when he was studying at a Costa Mesa catholic school. The diocese has paid over $4 million to settle sex abuse claims against Lyons. He has finally been removed from the ministry.
Child Sex Abuse
The effects of sex abuse on a child can last into adulthood. Molestation can lead to depression, sleep disorders, behavioral problems, sexual issues, eating disorders, alcoholism, drug addiction, relationship problems, or suicidal tendencies. Molesting or abusing a child or an adult leads to serious emotional injuries and psychological damage for the victim. There may be a way to hold the abuser liable for California personal injury in civil court, even if the abuse happened a long time ago.
Ex-student sues, says he was molested by 2 priests at same time, OC Register, June 11, 2009
Diocese settles with man who claimed sexual abuse, OC Register, February 27, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Child Sexual Abuse, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Abuse in the Catholic Church, The Boston Globe
