Alleged Sex Abuse Victims Can View Friars’ Records

(CN) - A group of 25 alleged victims of sexual abuse by Franciscan clergymen are entitled to see psychiatric and other confidential records in the clergy's possession, a California appeals court ruled.

In the settlement of the case, both parties asked the court to determine whether it was appropriate to release the files of the six friars who were accused of the crimes.

"We hold that compelling social interests in protecting children from molestation outweigh the individual friars' privacy rights," Justice Elizabeth Grimes wrote for the Los Angeles-based 2nd District Court of Appeals.

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