Judge approves $31.5M settlement in sexual assault case against Quebec archdiocese
A Quebec court approved a $31.5 million settlement for sexual assault victims in a class-action lawsuit against the archdiocese.Summary
A Quebec Superior Court judge has approved a historic $31.5-million settlement for sexual assault claimants in a class-action lawsuit against the Quebec City archdiocese. The agreement, which ends a years-long legal saga, involves allegations of sexual abuse by priests and laypeople dating back to 1940. Plaintiffs Gaétan Bégin and Pierre Bolduc, who were abused as teenagers in the 1950s and 1960s, spearheaded the case, which is the first to target an entire diocese. The archdiocese welcomed the decision, with Bishop Jean Tailleur offering apologies to victims. Victims now have three months to submit claims, with payouts to be determined by retired judges. The settlement includes an apology to each accepted claimant and covers administrative costs. The allegations, which include cover-ups and failure to act, have not been proven in court, but victims report significant trauma.
(Source：BayToday)