JUSTICE FOR JULIO

The Mordohs are resolute in their fight for their son, who killed himself after allegedly being sexually abused by a teacher at St John's College

- JANICE BECKETT-MSIZA

IT'S become impossible for them to live in their family home - every day they'd have to walk past their beloved son's empty bedroom and there were too many reminders everywhere, too much pain.

Teresa and Marcio Mordoh and their daughter, Luci, moved out of the house into a cottage on the property and the couple, once successful business-people, are now unemployed, the rental on the home their only income.

The house is a short drive from St John's College, the prestigious school in Houghton, Johannesburg, that their son, Julio, used to attend.

Julio suffered from trauma, anxiety and depression as a result of alleged sexual abuse when he was in primary school.

The abuse haunted him for years and when he was 20 he was admitted to the Akeso Crescent Clinic in Randburg as a patient at high risk of self-harm - and took his life by hanging himself with his belt.

In November last year, two years after their son's death, Teresa (54) and Marcio (57) lodged a civil claim for medical costs, loss of income, loss of pension, loss of support and for the emotional pain and trauma they suffered.

The value of the claim was quantified by actuarial estimates and stands at R61,4 million. The first part of the claim is against the alleged abuser and the school for failing to keep Julio safe, which resulted in severe mental health issues.

The second is against the clinic for failing to render proper care and negligence in keeping a patient safe as well as against the psychiatrist who “dismissed Julio’s suicidality as manipulation and failed to sedate him and put him under 24/7 observation”.