On October 23, Aljazeera English released “In Bad Faith: Child Sex Abuse and the Catholic Church” (posted below). Part of their Fault Lines series, it is an unflinching investigation into survivors and perpetrators of Catholic clergy sex abuse in the Archdiocese of New York. This is an important piece of journalism for the child protection movement, told with the compassion, the scrutiny, and the urgency the Catholic clergy sexual abuse crisis requires.
News & Events
There’s a lot of growing excitement and discussion in the Child Protection Movement, locally and across the country, around California Assembly Bill 218 – and rightfully so. It transcends bi-partisan politics. It kicks open courthouse doors thought forever closed. It makes healing and justice a possibility for survivors of child sexual abuse. It’s a BIG DEAL.
Child sexual abuse survivors in New York will have a new chance at justice and healing beginning Wednesday, August 14, when New York’s one-year window for survivors to take legal action against their perpetrators and the institutions that protected them takes effect. “This is a new day for survivors and a real chance at healing,” said attorney Jeff Anderson of Jeff Anderson & Associates, who represents hundreds of survivors who were sexually abused as children in New York. “These courageous survivors are holding perpetrators and powerful institutions accountable. They’re taking back power that was stolen from them as children.”
As the news continues to unfold about serial sexual abuser Conrad Avondale Mainwaring, the former Olympian and track coach accused of sexually abusing dozens of boys and young athletes at locations across the United States, we are again seeing the stark reality of how dangerous one unchecked predator can be. However, we are also reminded of the power survivors’ voices can have in protecting children.
Jun 21, 2019: Sexual Assault Arrest of Los Angeles Coach a Reminder of Need for Oversight of Coaches
Reports that a Los Angeles track coach and former Olympic hurdler is accused of sexually assaulting more than 30 athletes over 44 years are grim reminders of the need for strict oversight to guard against predatory coaches.Conrad Mainwaring was arrested Wednesday and charged with sexual battery in connection with an incident in 2016 when he sexually assaulted a male college athlete “under the guise of physical therapy and metal focus training,” according to police. Mainwaring, 67, competed for Antigua in the 1976 Olympics as a hurdler. He has coached high school and college track and field…
Sometimes a headline describes an issue better than the story. Take this one from Thursday’s article in American Magazine about bishop accountability protocols regarding sexual abuse adopted by U.S. Catholic bishops this week in Baltimore:“U.S. bishops adopt new protocols for holding themselves accountable for sex abuse”The story highlights how the bishops’ new protocols are designed to ensure transparency and impartiality in dealing with sexual abuse and abuse cover-up by U.S. bishops, problems which have been secretly handled in-house by bishops and the Vatican for decades with…
On Monday, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law victim’s rights legislation that gives child sexual abuse survivors more time to file civil claims against their perpetrators and the institutions that protected them. Arizona joined the ranks of New York, New Jersey and a growing number of other states in reforming their statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, giving survivors a long-denied path to healing, justice and accountability.The law extends the age limit to bring a claim against a perpetrator from 20 to 30 and opens a temporary window for survivors older than 30 to file civil…
On May 14, 2019, the Catholic bishops of California announced the establishment of an Independent Compensation Program for Victim-Survivors of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests in six California dioceses. These programs will be available to anyone who has been sexually abused as a minor by diocesan priests of the participating dioceses, but this isn’t necessarily the best option for everyone. Our office has represented survivors in similar plans in New York and Pennsylvania. In this short video, attorney and advocate Mike Reck covers the basics and simplifies some of the complexities of these …
On May 27, 2019, following a groundbreaking unanimous legislative approval in the wake of emotionally-charged negotiations and testimony, Governor Doug Ducey signed into law Arizona’s own victims’ rights bill (HB2466). In so doing, Arizona has joined the ranks of New York, New Jersey, and a growing number of other states in effectively reforming the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse survivors and opening new roads to healing, justice, and accountability. “This bill is an important step in providing victims of child sexual abuse the justice they deserve,” tweeted Gov…
The new law in New Jersey is the most historic development in Child Protection and helping survivors that has ever been signed into law. Reason Number 1: It gives survivors the chance to expose offenders – past and present – in the community.Reason Number 2: It gives survivors a chance to have their voice heard and known in a way never-before acknowledged or allowed by law. It opens the courthouse doors and can bring child protection and transparency in the communities about where the risks are and who chose to protect those offenders.Reason Number 3: It allows survivors a chance to exercise…
Saint Paul, MN – Today five brave survivors of clergy sexual abuse and cover-up – three emerging from their “John Doe” status and using their names for the first time – filed suit against the Vatican, charging nuisance and public endangerment, including allowing known offenders to continue public ministry through cover-up and reassignment. The lawsuit also demands the release of several thousand secret files on predator priests known to and protected by top Catholic officials including, but not limited to, Archbishop John Nienstedt, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, and Archbishop Anthony Apuron. T…
Saint Paul, MN – Today five brave survivors of clergy sexual abuse and cover-up – three emerging from their “John Doe” status and using their names for the first time – filed suit against the Vatican, charging nuisance and public endangerment, including allowing known offenders to continue public ministry through cover-up and reassignment. The lawsuit also demands the release of several thousand secret files on predator priests known to and protected by top Catholic officials including, but not limited to, Archbishop John Nienstedt, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, and Archbishop Anthony Apuron.
Our law firm is launching a bold action against the Vatican designed to disclose and disgorge all the names of all the offenders that only they know – thousands of offenders and the histories behind them, including offenders who are involved in cover-up and are still at large, such as Archbishop John Nienstedt, Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop Apuron and other top officials. It is also on behalf of five courageous survivors, three of whom have never been public because they were abused by Curtis Wehmeyer and concealed by Archbishop Nienstedt, who is still at large and given license to cont…
Apr 25, 2019: Boy Scouts of America Shows No Honor By Misleading Public About Covering Up Sex Crimes
Faced with revelations this week about the shocking numbers of scout leaders accused of sexual abuse, and of victims, Boy Scouts of America (BSA) responded by lying to the public in a pathetic attempt to preserve its image. In doing so, BSA continues to misdirect and cover up.BSA responded to allegations that it has hidden Ineligible Volunteer (IV) files for Boy Scout leaders accused of sexually abusing minors and refused to inform authorities and the public about the alleged offenders by stating that every name has been turned over to law enforcement.This is a factual distortion if not an out…
In this video, survivor advocates Christopher, Kristen, Stacey, Michelle and Asja sport their best denim to raise awareness for Denim Day – an annual, all-day protest that began after the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction because in the eyes of the court, since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her attacker, implying consent. The following day, the women of Italian Parliament wore jeans in solidarity with the victim. In this spirit we invite you to join us on April 24 – put on a pair of jeans, stand in solidarity with survivors, and speak out against…