New clergy childhood sexual abuse & cover up lawsuit to be filed
Defendants include the Diocese of Santa Rosa, Hanna Boys Center, and former Hanna Boys group home Executive Director Father John Crews
Tomorrow, October 15th, three survivors of childhood sexual abuse by former Hanna Boys group home Executive Director Father John Crews will file a civil lawsuit against Crews, the Diocese of Santa Rosa and Hanna Boys Center, thanks to a brand-new state law that gives victims who were once barred by the statute of limitations a chance to file a civil lawsuit and hold perpetrators and their protectors accountable.
A flood of new child sexual abuse and cover up lawsuits is expected soon across California. Last month, the California legislature passed Assembly Bill 218. On Sunday, October 13th, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed that measure into law. It provides a three-year window for anyone who was molested as a child in to use the court system to expose those who committed and concealed the crimes, regardless of when the crimes were committed. It also extends the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual assault, allowing survivors until their 40th birthday (used to be 26th birthday) to file a civil complaint.
Father John Crews sexually abused Michael Holden, John Doe 159, and John Doe 164 while they were minor residents at Hanna Boys Center, in or around the mid 1980’s - 1999.
Hanna Boys Center is a teen residential treatment center, where residents “come from underserved and disadvantaged communities, mostly in Northern California.” Hanna Boys center holds itself out as being committed to transforming “the lives of youth, families and communities impacted by trauma and adversity through resilience, connection and spiritual wellness.”
In approximately 1971, Father John Crews was ordained as a priest in the Diocese of Santa Rosa. In or around 1984, Father John Crews became the executive director of Hanna Boys Center. Father John Crews remained as the Hanna Boys Center’s executive director until 2013, when Father John Crews resigned following an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor boy in the 1970’s, prior to his arrival at the Hanna Boys Center.
In January, the Diocese of Santa Rosa released a list of priests accused of sexual abuse.
Fr. John Crews is identified on said list. http://srdiocese.org/sites/default/files/files/Press%20Release%20Santa%20Rosa%20Diocese%20January%2012%202019.pdf
Michael Holden, John Doe 159, and John Doe 164 encourage any other victim of Father Crews to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office. https://oag.ca.gov/clergyabuse/complaint
Dr. Joseph C. George is both a licensed psychology and attorney and has represented hundreds of survivors of childhood sexual assault. Dr. Joseph C. George and survivor of childhood sexual abuse are available for comment.
Contact Information: jcg@psyclaw.com; office: 916.641.7300; cell: 916.802.7949