Victims of sex abuse at Portland (Maine) high school seek resolution, see ties to Penn State scandal

[Maine-ah]

Source: BDN

PORTLAND, Maine — The victims in a sexual abuse scandal that shook Cheverus High School more than a decade ago claimed Tuesday the Portland Jesuit school recently withdrew an offer to enter into mediation with the former students.

The development in the Cheverus case comes in the shadow of high-profile allegations that former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky sexually assaulted multiple children, carrying public awareness about child sex abuse to a new high.

John Clark is a Portland photographer who is one of almost a dozen former Cheverus High School students represented by an attorney who is seeking compensation for abuse perpetrated by longtime teacher and track coach Charles Malia.

The allegations against Malia, and his subsequent admission of guilt and resignation, came to light in the late 1990s. The legal deadline for prosecuting him for the crimes had run out, however, and he never was charged. The scandal led to a move by the state Legislature to waive the statute of limitation for rape cases.

Read more: http://bangordailynews.com/2011/11/22/news/portland/victims-of-cheverus-sex-abuse-seek-resolution-see-ties-to-penn-state-scandal/

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Rick Romano, one of the victims stated that after fighting off advances from Malia, Malia retaliated by having him pulled out of class and sent down to the locker rooms, where Malia would make him drop his pants and beat him.

[Fumesucker]

1. One in four girls and one in six boys will be molested in some way..

This behavior is much more common than many people realize, a lot of people don't even want to think about it.

[mwb970]

2. And this is some kind of religious school? /nt

[MaineDem]

3. Yes, it's a Jesuit (Catholic) school. n/t

[Gormy Cuss]

4. It also has or had a well respected sports program, which would be the parallel.

It was an all boys school for most of its history and was a strong force in Southern ME sports.