The Salvation Army Settles Sexual Abuse Suit with Former Parishioner

The Salvation Army has reached a settlement with a former parishioner in a sexual abuse lawsuit. The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, alleged she was sexually abused hundreds of times by a former volunteer and agent of the organization. The case, filed in Pomona Superior Court, names the Salvation Army, its Southern California Division, and the Pomona Corps Community Center as defendants. On Monday, Doe’s attorneys filed court documents with Judge Allison L. Westfahl Kong, notifying the court that the case had been resolved. No settlement terms were disclosed.

Doe, now 32, claimed in her lawsuit that she has suffered extreme emotional harm over the past two decades. She described enduring the abuse and struggling to cope with the trauma internally. The suit, filed in December 2022, detailed how the abuse affected her life and well-being. The Salvation Army’s attorneys, however, argued that Doe’s lawsuit targeted the organization despite the involvement of multiple other parties potentially responsible for her alleged damages.

The Salvation Army’s legal team stated that the organization provided Doe and her family with food, shelter, and support during a difficult period. At the time, Doe’s parents were both struggling with addiction and had frequent interactions with law enforcement. The attorneys emphasized that the Salvation Army sought to help Doe and her family during a time of crisis, offering them stability and care.

Doe did not sue the foster father who allegedly abused her for years, her biological mother, who allegedly failed to protect her, or the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, which placed her in the home of her alleged abuser. She also did not sue Bonita High School, which had worked with her alleged abuser during her time at the school. The Salvation Army’s attorneys highlighted that the organization reported concerns about Doe’s safety to authorities, including the alleged harm she confided in them during 2006-2007.

According to Doe’s lawsuit, she began attending the Pomona Corps at age 7 and participated in various youth activities, including choir, brass band, girl guards, and Bible study. She met her alleged abuser in 2004-05 when she was 10 or 11 years old, and he was a 34-year-old youth leader. The suit described him as popular among younger members and noted his distinctive faux-hawk hairstyle. He allegedly groomed Doe by giving her gifts and taking her on outings, eventually leading to the abuse. The case highlights the complex dynamics of trust and vulnerability within religious and community settings.

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