Richard King, a member of the
Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana, suffered abuse at a Jesuit-run school on the reservation but kept quiet for almost 50 years.
As a result of his abuse, King began drinking at a young age -- around 10. He has been sober fore more than three decades and is now coming forward to share his story.
"It's affected my entire life," King, 61, told The Great Falls Tribune. "I still suffer from the effects today. ... It's only been the last two to three years that I've been dealing with it."
King is part of a $166.1 million settlement with the
Oregon Province of the Society
of Jesus.
Attorneys estimate more than 500 Native Americans in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington were victimized by members of the clergy.
The number 500 is just the tip of the iceberg," attorney Andrew Chasan told the paper. "But the shame of it all keeps (other victims) from coming forward."
The
Tamaki Law Firm announced the settlement last month. Chasan, who works for a different firm that represents some of the victims, said it will take about 10 weeks to interview all of the claimants.
After the process is over, the settlement will be distributed based on each person's case.
Get the Story:
Montana victims recall Jesuit priests' abuse
(The Great Falls Tribune 4/28)
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