Six Hawaii residents sue Catholic Church for alleged sex abuse

Hawaii residents who were victims of sex abuse at the hands of clergy are suing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu and related religious institutions.

The six plaintiffs want the church to implement specific policies to stop abuse from happening. 

The suit filed Thursday asks the church to create a hotline for victims. It also requests the church to release victims from confidentially requirements in past abuse settlements. 

The plaintiffs believe such policy changes will encourage more victims to come forward. 

Attorney Randall Rosenberg said this is the first clergy abuse lawsuit filed in Hawaii he knows of that asks the church to make policy changes rather than just compensate victims.

Diocese spokesman Patrick Downes declined to comment.