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	Teacher Faces Sexual Abuse Lawsuit By Will Richmond The Herald News January 9, 2009 http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x1017433655/Teacher-faces-sexual-abuse-lawsuit Fall River — An adult former student of the Notre Dame School is suing the Fall River Diocese and his former teacher amid allegations he was raped as a boy. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Fall River Superior Court, alleges the teacher, identified as Albert J. Vaillancourt, would single out male students for discipline that would lead to inappropriate touching. The lawsuit also accuses Vaillancourt of having the former student come to his home to mow his lawn and then asking him to come inside where he raped the boy, according to an affidavit filed in the case. The accuser, who is identified in court documents as John Doe, states in the affidavit that Vaillancourt would call him up to his desk during class and would proceed to “grab my neck and push my head down on his desk with great force.” Vaillancourt would then hold him in that position with his nose on his desk or tell him not to move. “While in that position, Vaillancourt would take one of his hands and rub it all over my body, including my genitals,” the affidavit states. The accuser, who was 10 when the alleged incidents took place in 1987 and 1988, states these abuses occurred “numerous times during the school year” to not only himself but other male students. Fall River Diocese spokesman John Kearns said in a release Friday that Vaillancourt was moved to Sts. Peter and Paul School following the closure of the Notre Dame School this last year. Kearns said that in accord with diocesan policy Vaillancourt was placed on leave Thursday. He has also been placed on leave from Catholic Youth Organization responsibilities, according to the statement. Vaillancourt has denied the allegations, Kearns said. “The placement of Mr. Vaillancourt on administrative leave is done to facilitate the investigation and should not be construed as an indication of wrongdoing or guilt,” Kearns said in the statement. “Mr. Vaillancourt has taught at Catholic schools in Fall River for over 40 years and has in that time earned the respect of his colleagues and administrators for his dedication to young people. No prior complaints against him have been made. As always, it is only fair that judgment on this claim be reserved until the matter has gone through the legal process,” reads the statement. Bristol County District Attorney’s Office spokesman Gregg Miliote confirmed the office is also conducting a separate investigation into the allegations. He declined further comment due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. The lawsuit also alleges Vaillancourt would keep one boy, including the accuser at times, in the empty school during recess, during which time similar actions would take place. In the affadivit, the accuser said he recalled “seeing male classmates returning to recess looking upset and disheveled.” The suit also alleges that as a gym teacher at the school, Vaillancourt would closely watch as students would change clothes for class. Another allegation stems from Vaillancourt’s involvement as a CYO basketball coach. The alleged victim states that Vaillancourt would watch him and other boys as they showered, making the boys feel uncomfortable and eventually leading to one boy quitting the team. The final allegation in the lawsuit states that Vaillancourt would pay male students $20 each to mow his lawn. The lawsuit claims that Vaillancourt called the alleged victim into his home where he was brought into the bathroom and told to take off his pants and come with him into the living room. The lawsuit alleges Vaillancourt laid the accuser, naked from the waist down, over his knee and spanked him, touched his genitals and raped him. “After he was done, Vaillancourt scolded me, and told me not to tell anyone what had happened. He violently yelled and threatened me not to ever say anything to anyone. Then he went and bought me a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, my favorite candy at the time,” the affidavit states. The accuser said in the affidavit he had blocked out the events until February 2008 when he began suffering from bouts of depression and other problems, which led to his seeing a therapist. Through those sessions he says he began to recall the events. The lawsuit is seeking an award to compensate for injuries and damages sustained, as well as pain and suffering endured, plus interest and costs. The affidavit states that therapy and medication expenses have reached nearly $10,000, while stress from the incidents have caused his income to decrease by about $10,000. During his lengthy career in education, Vaillancourt has received numerous commendations.In 1983, he was awarded the Miriam Joseph Farrell Award for distinguished teaching by the National Catholic Educational Association. He represented the New England region in receiving the honor. Vaillancourt was among three men named as the first ever “Coaches who Make a Difference” by The Herald News in 1997. He was appointed to the city’s Park Department in 1971 and in 1973 was appointed to the city’s Youth Resources Council by then Mayor Wilfred C. Driscoll. E-mail Will Richmond at wrichmond@heraldnews.com
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