A local survivor of clergy abuse and an advocate for others who have been abused is calling yesterday’s court decision regarding responsibility for the abuse at Mount Cashel a “huge precedent setter.”

Gemma Hickey is the founder of the Pathways Foundation, a group dedicated to addressing gaps for those who have faced abuse by religious institutions.

Hickey says they felt “pure joy” for all the men involved, knowing that after a 21-year process they received justice and validation.

Hickey says Mount Cashel is “ground zero” when it comes to religious institutional abuse. They say the decision has set a huge precedent for survivors around the world.