Hughes Inquiry

The Hughes Inquiry was a Canadian royal commission launched after allegations of sexual abuse by members of the Congregation of Christian Brothers at Mount Cashel Orphanage in Newfoundland.

Further investigations followed into allegations at other institutions across Canada. The inquiry concluded that officials had transferred offenders and covered up the sexual abuse at Mount Cashel. It recommended that victims be compensated.

There was insufficient evidence to charge church and government officials with obstructing justice. Eleven Christian Brothers were eventually convicted and sentenced to between 4 months and 11 years in prison.^{[1] [2]}

The orphanage was closed in 1990, ^[3] and on April 5, 1992, the Brothers formally apologised to the victims of abuse at Mount Cashel.^[4]

The fight to compensate the victims of Mount Cashel lasted for many years and in 1996 the Newfoundland government paid $11.5 million in compensation. The courts ordered the assets of the Brothers sold to compensate the victims, who were to receive between $20,000 and $600,000 each in compensation.

See also

• Mount Cashel Orphanage
• Sexual abuse scandal in St. John's archdiocese
• The Boys of St. Vincent, a movie based on the scandal

References

1. Notorious Mount Cashel orphanage to close. CBC Archives, Nov. 27, 1989. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
2. Institutional Child Abuse in Canada Criminal Cases Prepared for the Law Commission of Canada October, 1999. Retrieved 28 June 2008.
3. 15 years later, Mount Cashel cases appear to end. CBC News, Friday, May 28, 2004. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. Notorious Mount Cashel orphanage to close - "On This Day". CBC Archives, Nov. 27, 1989. Retrieved January 31, 2008.