Abuse did not create life-long disturbance for man: witness

By Barb Sweet
Telegram
June 28, 2016

http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2016-06-28/article-4573470/Abuse-did-not-create-life-long-disturbance-for-man%3A-witness/1

A clinical psychologist told a civil trial Tuesday that sexual abuse at Mount Cashel did not result in any permanent diagnosis of psychological disorders for the John Does in the case.Peter Badgio of Philadelphia, Pa., also discounted a theory that severe beatings — including an infamous shower incident — of one of the John Does was sexual sadism.

Four test case John Does claim the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corp. of St. John’s should be held liable for the sexual and physical abuse perpetrated by certain members of the lay order Irish Christian Brothers at the orphanage during the late 1940s to early 1960s.

The church says it did not operate the orphanage, and therefore is not responsible.

Badgio was originally retained by the Christian Brothers, but they are no longer defendants in the case, as they are bankrupt. He was called to the stand Tuesday by Chris Blom, a lawyer for the Episcopal Corp.

In the case of a retired military man and a retired teacher, Badgio noted their early childhood losses — one man’s father was killed in a hit-and-run collision and the other man’s mother died.

Badgio noted the sense of abandonment that went along with being placed in the orphanage by parents they did not see often.

He also pointed out both men were eventually expelled from Mount Cashel, and had no place to go.

He said genetic traits like aggression were affected by early traumas and coping with the violent nature of the orphanage.

When asked about a man whose mother died after he and his twin were born, Badgio noted alcohol use among the man’s close relatives, including his twin.

He said the man was happy-go-lucky, according to his medical records, until his late 30s, and Badgio attributed his marriage, career and financial troubles to a vicious cycle of alcoholism.

Of his later symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, Badgio said the man did not previously attribute his drinking to his experiences at Mount Cashel, but reported that suggestion was made to him by William Foote, a forensic psychologist retained by his lawyers.

Badgio said the man embraced the suggestion so much that he brought the report to his assessment by Badgio in 2010, like “the tin man in search of a heart.”

Badgio said the man was also anxious about the civil litigation.

Meanwhile, he said the sexual dysfunction the man suffered could be related to the sexual abuse he suffered at Mount Cashel.

The tradesman who suffered the numerous physical beatings was, like the other boys, affected by abandonment at an early age, said Badgio. His mother died, and he and his brothers were playing hockey on a pond one day when their father and uncles told them they were going to the orphanage.

Badgio also noted his later-in-life struggles with health and the loss of a grandson.

The psychologist had earlier suggested a range of issues, such as trust and self-esteem, can be caused by early loss of a parent and abandonment.

John Does’ lawyer Will Hiscock questioned the uniqueness of a psychoanalyst dismissing the men’s childhood sexual abuse.

But Badgio said he’s not discounting any of their childhood experiences, they just haven’t resulted in any permanent diagnosis of a psychological disorder.

Badgio is the last witness in the trial, and cross-examination continues Wednesday.

Live tweets from the courtroom at bsweettweets

Earlier story:

Abuse did not create life-long disturbance for man: witness

Sexual abuse at Mount Cashel did not create happy memories for a John Doe but didn't result in a long-lasting psychological disturbance, a psychologist told a civil trial this morning.

Peter Badgio of Philadelphia, Pa., was originally retained by the Christian Brothers — no longer a party to the lawsuit — but was called as an expert for the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corp. of St. John's.

Four test case John Does say the Episcopal Corp. should be held liable for physical and sexual abuse by certain Christian Brothers at the orphanage in the late 1940s to early '60s.

The church contends it did not run the orphanage.

Badgio this morning was questioned about the case of a John Doe who is retired from the military and began discussing the case of a John Doe who is a retired teacher.

In both cases, Badgio noted their early losses — one man's father was killed in a hit-and-run collision and the other man's mother died.

Badgio noted the sense of abandonment that went along with being placed in the orphanage by parents they did not see often.

He also pointed out both men were expelled from Mount Cashel with no place to go.

He also said genetic traits of aggression were affected by early traumas and coping with the violent nature of the orphanage.

Badgio, the last witness in the trial, continues on the stand this afternoon.