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	Brothers Claim Abuse by Teacher By Jaccii Farris WFMZ May 26, 2010 http://www.wfmz.com/news/23686099/detail.html MINERSVILLE, Pa. -- Two brothers who said they were sexually abused by a teacher 30 years ago claim the Allentown Catholic Diocese is not listening to their complaints. But the diocese said it reported the brothers' accusation to authorities and have offered counseling. The two brothers said each had no idea the other had been allegedly abused until three years ago. Since then, they said they have been seeking some form of justice. Warren and Russell Land said, while they were students at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in Minersville, Schuylkill County, they were sexually abused by a teacher. It's not easy when you are 11-, 12-years-old to come forward and describe what happened to you, said Russell Land. The two brothers said the alleged abuse happened off school grounds in 1979. Each man said it happened only one time, but that was enough to scar them both. The Lands did not report the abuse. Court records from 1994 show the same teacher pleaded guilty in an unrelated case to indecent assault without consent and corruption of minors. We are certain there are others, said Warren Land. We want the diocese to get the word out the best they can, not to clam up, not to be silent. This is way too important. The Allentown Diocese said the man hasn't been a teacher for the Diocese since 1984 and it took action when it learned of the alleged abuse in 2007. It was immediately reported to the Schuylkill County District Attorney's Office in 2007, said Matt Kerr, diocese spokesman. The diocese offered to assist the men with counseling by putting them in touch with the Diocesan victim's coordinator. As recently as yesterday, that offer of assistance was renewed. The Lands said the district attorney told them the statute of limitations has expired. The Lands said they are getting help from a sex abuse victims group called "Road to Recovery." 69 News called the teacher to get reaction to the men's claims. He did not return our call.
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