I can't stand Christmas because Santa priest raped me, says victim who won High Court battle against Catholic Church
Landmark decision could have wide-reaching implications for alleged church child abuse victims
Mother, 47, claims she was repeatedly raped by Father Wilfred Baldwin when she was a child
Decision is still subject to appeal
Predator: Father Baldwin holds a child
Dressed as Father Christmas, with a girl perched on his lap, this is Father Wilfred Baldwin, accused of raping children at a Roman Catholic Church-run home.
It is an image which still haunts the alleged victim who won her High Court battle yesterday.
‘There are things I have hated for years because of it,’ she said.
‘I can’t stand Christmas because he used to abuse me dressed as Father Christmas.’
The mother of three, an administrator, says she suffered flashbacks and nightmares and has tried to commit suicide.
She claims she was assaulted during two years at The Firs, which has now closed, after being sent there with her three siblings.
She said he would sexually assault her as ‘punishment’ for misbehaviour, adding: ‘The nuns knew. He was allowed to take any child and rape them. It was always my fault. He would even make me give money afterwards, tuppence in the poor box. He said God had told him to do it.’
JGE, as she was referred to in court, never spoke of what happened until she was contacted by police investigating abuse allegations at the home.
‘I didn’t tell anyone,’ she said, ‘even one of my siblings who I found out later had also been sexually assaulted.’
In a landmark ruling, Mr Justice MacDuff said the Church can be held responsible for the sins of its clergy because of the ‘immense power’ it gave them.
Ruling: The decision by the High Court could have far-reaching implications for the church. It is subject to appeal
The woman known as JGE was at the Firs children's home for two years from age six to eight between May 1970 and May 1972.
The following are among the claims she has made:
She alleges that Father Baldwin repeatedly raped and sexually abused her.
She claims he once raped her in the robing room of a church on the day of her first holy communion.
She also alleges that the nuns who were supposed to be looking after her saw the priest sexually abusing her and did nothing.
She alleges that previous claims of abuse by the priest against two boys had been ignored by the nuns and the church and claims they failed to abate the risk of his presence and were negligent and in breach of their duty of care.
She also claims she was beaten with a tree branch from the garden by the nun then in charge.
She seeks damages for the pain, injury, humiliation and hurt to feelings she suffered.
She also claims that as a result she suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, has a borderline personality disorder, has attempted suicide and it has had an effect on her self-esteem and career prospects.
Source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk
http://mix4m.blogspot.com/2011/11/santa-priest-raped-children-i-cant.html
The woman known as JGE was at the Firs children's home for two years from age six to eight between May 1970 and May 1972.
The following are among the claims she has made:
She alleges that Father Baldwin repeatedly raped and sexually abused her.
She claims he once raped her in the robing room of a church on the day of her first holy communion.
She also alleges that the nuns who were supposed to be looking after her saw the priest sexually abusing her and did nothing.
She alleges that previous claims of abuse by the priest against two boys had been ignored by the nuns and the church and claims they failed to abate the risk of his presence and were negligent and in breach of their duty of care.
She also claims she was beaten with a tree branch from the garden by the nun then in charge.
She seeks damages for the pain, injury, humiliation and hurt to feelings she suffered.
She also claims that as a result she suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, has a borderline personality disorder, has attempted suicide and it has had an effect on her self-esteem and career prospects.
Source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk
http://mix4m.blogspot.com/2011/11/santa-priest-raped-children-i-cant.html
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