Hudson Valley Nun Accused of Sexually Abusing Girl in 1960s
A nun from the Hudson Valley is accused of sexually abusing a girl student for years in the 1960s.
Pamela Hayes claims she was sexually abused for about five years by Sister Ann Peterson at St. Joseph School in Middletown.
From about 1963-1967, Peterson sexually abused "Hayes by hugging her; kissing her; massaging her; caressing her; and caressing and touching her breasts and genitals; stroked her thighs, reaching up her uniform and with her hand tried to masturbate her on multiple occasions, and otherwise sexually abusing her," according to a lawsuit filed in Westchester County Supreme Court.
The lawsuit claims Hayes has been "traumatized, ashamed, embarrassed and humiliated," due to Peterson's actions and "continues to suffer severe emotional and psychological trauma and distress."
Hayes filed the lawsuit recover for the emotional, psychological and physical suffering she incurred due to the actions of Peterson, the Archdiocese of New York, The Parish of Saint Joseph, St. Joseph School and Ursulines of the Eastern Province, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit was filed under the Child Victims Act. The bill which was passed earlier this year extended New York’s statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse and create a one-year window for survivors to start a claim against their abusers in cases where the statute of limitations has expired.