Former choir director Joseph Heidesch and St. Thomas Aquinas has a fourth lawsuit filed against both parties on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. The lawsuit claims negligence against protecting students against Heidesch while they attended the Catholic school.
The most recent lawsuit claims that Heidesch used his authority as a director to order the plaintiff along with other students to try on different outfits during choir practice, and directed them to change in his private office.
Prosecutors found during the inquiry that Heidesch had secretly taped more than 100 young females at St. Thomas Aquinas and that the Catholic school allegedly withheld information regarding the tapes for a period of time. According to the lawsuit, Heidesch posted recordings and pictures online, and some of those may have featured the plaintiff.
Survivors of Boarding School Abuse: Legal Options
Attorney Reed Martens of Monsees & Mayer P.C. is defending a number of victims accused of having their assault enabled at the St. Thomas Aquinas School. The various choices available to victims of sexual assault at private religious schools are discussed by Martens below, along with the circumstances under which a school may be held liable.
“The most prestigious religious schools in the country have recently faced criticism over charges of mistreatment. Numerous continuous incidences of sexual and physical abuse of students by faculty members and other students have been reported. When a school allows a staff member to continue working despite engaging in inappropriate behavior, they are participating in the abuse.”
“The law provides a way for victims of such assault or abuse to get justice against the perpetrator and the organization that allowed them to get away with the misconduct to begin with. If you or someone you love attended St. Thomas Aquinas and believes to have been assaulted or abused by Joseph Heidesch, contact our law firm right away. We can help you and you’re not alone.” For more information on sexual abuse trauma resources, visit this page: https://abuseguardian.com/sexual-assault-lawyer/missouri/sex-trauma-therapist-mo
Sources:
Abuse Guardian for Missouri and Kansas
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