Post by pavel on May 6, 2016 0:10:56 GMT -6
A sexual abuse victim has filed a lawsuit against Cornerstone Nashville church, saying the Madison megachurch's negligence led to his abuse by a church volunteer almost a decade ago.
The now adult victim was 10 years old at the time and is seeking at least $10 million in damages, according to the lawsuit filed in Davidson County Circuit Court about two weeks ago. The court document alleges that church staff appointed Brian L. Mitchell to be the boys mentor despite his prior criminal history and allowed them to be alone together, which went against church policy.
"It is widely known or should be known among those who undertake a duty to care for minor children that individuals who sexually abuse children tend to prey upon weak, vulnerable, and/or insecure children," the lawsuit states. "Mitchell and Cornerstone Church officials were specifically aware of (the victim's) troubled childhood when Mitchell groomed him and then sexually abused, raped and exploited him."
The Rev. Maury Davis, who is the church's senior pastor, read a statement to his congregation Sunday, addressing the lawsuit. Davis said in the statement provided to The Tennessean by the church, that it takes the safety of its members "very seriously" and policies were in place and followed at the time of the abuse.
Read more: www.tennessean.com/story/news/religion/2016/05/05/10-million-suit-against-cornerstone-nashville-church/83943382/
The now adult victim was 10 years old at the time and is seeking at least $10 million in damages, according to the lawsuit filed in Davidson County Circuit Court about two weeks ago. The court document alleges that church staff appointed Brian L. Mitchell to be the boys mentor despite his prior criminal history and allowed them to be alone together, which went against church policy.
"It is widely known or should be known among those who undertake a duty to care for minor children that individuals who sexually abuse children tend to prey upon weak, vulnerable, and/or insecure children," the lawsuit states. "Mitchell and Cornerstone Church officials were specifically aware of (the victim's) troubled childhood when Mitchell groomed him and then sexually abused, raped and exploited him."
The Rev. Maury Davis, who is the church's senior pastor, read a statement to his congregation Sunday, addressing the lawsuit. Davis said in the statement provided to The Tennessean by the church, that it takes the safety of its members "very seriously" and policies were in place and followed at the time of the abuse.
Read more: www.tennessean.com/story/news/religion/2016/05/05/10-million-suit-against-cornerstone-nashville-church/83943382/