Scott Anthony Gastal, a survivor of clergy sexual abuse, was murdered in Louisiana at the age of 50. His 1980s testimony against priest Gilbert Gauthe sparked a significant reckoning within the Catholic Church regarding sexual abuse. Despite suffering from the trauma of his abuse, Gastal's family fought legally against the diocese of Lafayette, which had already paid millions in settlements to other victims. Gastal's courage in revealing his experiences informed broader conversations about the protection of children in religious institutions and the enduring crisis affecting countless survivors.
Scott Anthony Gastal, whose testimony at age 11 ignited a reckoning on clergy abuse, faced a life marked by trauma following his assault by a priest.
Attorneys working on Catholic-related sexual abuse cases have indicated a troubling potential for an ongoing number of cases, highlighting systemic issues that continue to affect innocent children.
The diocese of Lafayette had already paid more than $4m in settlements to families before Gastal took the stand, illustrating the prevalence of abuse within the church.
Gastal's courage in testifying against Gilbert Gauthe led to a significant civil victory for his family, adding to the long history of clerical abuse cases in the Catholic Church.
Collection
[
|
...
]