Former Slovak Bishop Ordered to Pay €160,000 for 1970s Child Abuse
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A Slovak civil court has ordered an 84-year-old former bishop to pay €160,000 in compensation to a victim of child sexual abuse that occurred in the 1970s. The victim attended a school under the cleric's supervision at the time of the abuse. While criminal prosecution was previously halted due to the statute of limitations, the civil court ruled in favor of the victim after 25 years of legal proceedings. The compensation covers both health damages and the impact on the victim's professional life. The case represents a rare legal victory for abuse victims in Slovakia, where many historical cases of clerical abuse have been difficult to prosecute due to time limitations and institutional protections.