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	Suit against Wash. State Alleges Sex Abuse at Mission School By Lindsay Cohen KOMO November 23, 2011 www.komonews.com/news/local/Suit-against-Wash-state-alleges-abuse-at-school---134346393.html [with video] YAKIMA, Wash. -- Eight Native Americans have filed suit against the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, claiming the agency placed them in a mission school where they were sexually abused by a Jesuit priest decades ago. Attorney Blaine Tamaki said Tuesday the plaintiffs were wards of the state when it failed to ensure their safety. Time has not healed all wounds for Theresa Bessette, who on Tuesday publicly admitted that she is one of the eight alleged victims. "I didn't know about any other victims," said the 53-year-old Omak woman. "I didn't know about my own siblings or my own family, and my best friend -- that they were victims, too. It was all kept a secret." The plaintiffs say the secrets began at St. Mary's Mission School in Omak. They had been placed there by the state Department of Social and Health Services as early as the 1950s. Their alleged abuser: Rev. John Morse, who also acted as their guardian. Each alleges Morse sexually abused them over many years. The alleged abuse ranged from fondling to sodomy. Morse has denied the allegations. But the plaintiffs say the impact can be felt even now, decades later. "I was always afraid to touch my kids in certain ways," said alleged victim Katherine Mendez, who is now 55. "I didn't want to become an abuser. I held my children back from me and away from me. I didn't want to touch them in any way that would harm them." One of the plaintiffs said he told a social worker about the abuse, but she turned a blind eye. "She said, 'Everything is going to be all right.' And, at one time, she told me that I shouldn't be making up stories," said victim Dwayne Paul. In response to the allegations, a DSHS spokesman said because the department's attorneys haven't seen the lawsuit, the department could not discuss the suit. Until then, this group hopes that by coming forward, they will encourage other alleged victims to do so as well. "If they keep it a secret, then nothing will ever change," said attorney Blaine Tamaki. Morse was named in a $166 million settlement against a group of priests accused of abuse. He now lives in a retirement facility under 24 hour supervision, financed by the Jesuits.
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