Quebec Catholic monks face class actions over decades of alleged sexual abuse
An order of Catholic monks in Quebec is facing a class action lawsuit filed by more than 80 victims, accusing the Brothers of Christian Instruction of widespread sexual assaults spanning decades. The alleged abuses, dating back as far as 1940, occurred in more than 20 schools run by the congregation, with most incidents reported between the 1950s and 1970s.
An order of Catholic monks that once ran up to 80 schools in Canada's Quebec province was hit Friday with accusations of sexual assaults over decades.
In a class action, more than 87 victims have come forward with allegations against the Brothers of Christian Instruction that date as far back as 1940. Several of the monks are now deceased.
In court documents, the accusers detail assaults at more than 20 schools run by the Brothers across the province of Quebec.
Most occurred between the 1950s and 1970s, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs told AFP.
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"The plaintiffs allege in particular that the congregation was aware of the Brothers' sexual assaults on children, but that it preferred to move and protect the attackers rather than help the victims," they said in the court filings.
(AFP)
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