The victims of sexual abuse at the hands of two former priests yesterday filed an official letter demanding compensation after they alleged the authorities knew of the abuse and did nothing about it.

Speaking on the steps of the court house shortly after filing the letter, victim Lawrence Grech said they had not quantified the damages but were seeking monetary compensation.

Godwin Scerri, 75, and Charles Pulis, 64, both former members of the Missionary Society of St Paul, were sentenced in August last year to five and six years’ imprisonment respectively for sexually abusing 11 boys in their care at St Joseph Home in Sta Venera some 20 years ago.

The judgment was confirmed on appeal last month. The letter was sent by Joseph Magro, Leonard Camilleri, Jason Camilleri, David Cassar, Noel Dimech, Angelo Spiteri, Raymond Azzopardi, Charles Falzon, Oliver Goodram, Paul Cauchi and Joseph Mangion.

It was addressed to abusers Mr Pulis and Mr Scerri as well as to the Missionary Society of St Paul, the Archdiocese of Malta, the Prime Minister, the Ministers for Education and Family and the Attorney General.

The 11 victims claimed the authorities knew that the people who were supposed to be looking after them were abusing them and they did nothing to stop what was happening.

They said they suffered damages because they could not lead normal lives and called for a meeting to be held within two weeks to quantify damages.

Lawyers Patrick Valentino and Franco Vassallo signed the letter.