Woman files sex abuse lawsuit against Ore. Lutheran church
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A 34-year-old woman who was raised near Portland has filed a $16 million lawsuit, alleging she was the victim of sexual abuse as a teenager.
The Oregonian newspaper reports that Cristie Prasnikar, who now lives out of state, filed the federal lawsuit in Portland against 65-year-old Ralph Veerkamp, Our Savior's Lutheran Church of Lake Oswego and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
The lawsuit contends Prasnikar was 15 when Veerkamp started the abuse, and that the church failed to take effective action after learning of the suspicious conduct.
Veerkamp, a former church youth group leader, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Our Savior's Pastor Louis Brunner told The Oregonian he was unaware of the lawsuit, so it would be inappropriate to comment.
The Oregonian newspaper reports that Cristie Prasnikar, who now lives out of state, filed the federal lawsuit in Portland against 65-year-old Ralph Veerkamp, Our Savior's Lutheran Church of Lake Oswego and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
The lawsuit contends Prasnikar was 15 when Veerkamp started the abuse, and that the church failed to take effective action after learning of the suspicious conduct.
Veerkamp, a former church youth group leader, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Our Savior's Pastor Louis Brunner told The Oregonian he was unaware of the lawsuit, so it would be inappropriate to comment.
Why wait this long before filing a lawsuit?
@Tattooed_Angel Maybe she has just finally recovered enough to feel strong enough to take that step.
@Willow @Tattooed_Angel
Or maybe the statutes of limitations is about ready to run out at the twenty year mark. Had a shipmate-turned-pastor get accused of a âcrimeâ like thisâ¦.. dismissed without either prejudiced from the DA or an apology from the âsupposed victimâ.
Not all of those accused are guilty.
This happened almost 20 years ago .Get a life lady. You and your ambulance chaser know there are no records left of oyu even being someplace. Â
@Maynard G Krebbs Â
Because unlike a simple auto accident, with abuse there is severe control and psychological trauma.
@Maynard G Krebbs There is precedence! Other religious organizations have already lost cases from this far back!
How do they compute 14m$ ?
@Komo Dragon Probably the lawyer since it will impact their fees when the sum is reduced by a judge *should* this actually get to trial.