Unique case may set precedent as family alleges church’s failings caused man’s violence in later life
A Victorian court has paved the way for the children and wife of an abused altar boy to sue the Catholic church, alleging the church’s failings caused their father and husband to become a violent alcoholic and drug addict who beat them later in life.
Now the wife and two children, who cannot be identified, have sued the Catholic church, alleging they are “secondary victims” of its failure to prevent Coffey from abusing children. If the argument is accepted at any trial, the case could set a precedent that would potentially expose the church to claims from other immediate family members who have suffered intergenerational trauma caused by clergy abuse.In a judgment last week, Justice Andrew Keogh said the case was “novel” because it argued the church had a duty of care to the victim’s future wife and unborn children, who had no relationship to him at the time of the alleged abuse.
Keogh said the plaintiffs would need to confront the “very substantial physical and temporal distance between the abuse and the harm that they suffered” and lead detailed evidence about the connection between the child abuse and their associated harm more than a decade later.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘This contract is unique, but I’m unique’: Cristiano Ronaldo unveiled by Al NassrCristiano Ronaldo has been officially presented by Al Nassr and said he turned down multiple offers from Europe and North America
Read more »
'Unique' mix of COVID variants in Australia a challenge for antiviral treatments, study findsA 'uniquely Australian' mix of variants will make treating severe COVID-19 more challenging, according to new research, with fewer effective drugs against new evasive strains of the virus.
Read more »
Daniel Andrews calls for reforms to Australia’s ‘broken’ primary care systemVictorian premier says state-run hospitals should not be acting as safety nets because people ‘cannot find a bulk-billing doctor’
Read more »
'A lot of surgery ahead' for survivors of Gold Coast helicopter crashVictorian mother Winnie De Silva and her nine-year-old son, Leon, are among three survivors of the deadly helicopter crash.
Read more »
‘Not our job’: Andrews and Perrottet ramp up pressure on PMVictorian Premier Daniel Andrews has united with NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and ramped up the pressure on the Albanese government to reform the nation’s “broken” health care system.
Read more »