Jury awards $4.2M in Mormon abuse case

SEATTLE --The Mormon church has been ordered to pay $4.2 million to two college-age sisters who say a bishop mishandled complaints of sexual abuse by their stepfather, a Mormon priest at the time.

A jury Friday found the church liable for misconduct and negligence in the case of Jessica Cavalieri, 24, and her younger sister, Ashley, 19.

The girls had been abused by their stepfather, Peter N. Taylor, at their home during the 1990s. Taylor pleaded guilty to child molestation in 2001 was sentenced to more than four years in prison.

Jessica Cavalieri said in court documents that she told her congregational leader, Bishop Bruce Hatch, in 1994 that Taylor had been abusing her since she was 7.

But Hatch told Jessica's mother that there was simply tension between Jessica and her stepfather, suggested they work it out through worship and never alerted civil authorities, according to the Cavalieris' lawyer, Timothy D. Kosnoff.

More:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/11/22/jury_awards_42m_in_mormon_abuse_case/

they have as much money as Haliburton. I live in Utah and there is more child sex abuse here than anyplace I have ever heard of.

$4.2 million is pocket change to the Mormon Church. But, the issue isn't about money, it is about change. I hope the Mormon Church will change their ways.

will change their ways....but I will "hope" with you...:)

all for your comments and well wishes. Of course I have taken some heat from some fellow Mormons (still in the Church-they haven't forced me out, nor do I anticipate them doing so) but I have received supportive emails and such.

My two goals with going public were to pressure the Mormon Church to change, and then to give a voice to the many victims who have been silenced. I know there have been some phone calls to my lawyer from sex abuse victims already. I will continue to give others a voice until these religions change their ways.

Thank you again for your support. I can always count on my fellow liberals to see the truth. :)

I'm also a very inactive Mormon...I haven't gone to church on my own accord for over ten years. I was born/raised mormon, and i gave up on it when i was 18....you got support her darling...:)

Of course I am assuming you left or they forced you out, which could be wrong. But the web site is very enlightening.

It has great info.

It took a lot of courage for you and your sister to take such a stand. . .and I'm glad that God has seen you through this part of an ordeal.

There are thousands of others out there who I am sure are grateful for your courage.

It had to be very hard to stand up to your church, but you will have helped so many more children. We need to take care of each other, that's what we're here for. I hope you are doing well now and can look forward to a joyful future.

shameful.

And this fuckhead will probably get out in 2 for "good" behavior and go on and do it again. Bet on it.