Attorney General Kathleen Kane will be in Johnstown Tuesday morning to announce criminal charges related to a major investigation.
Pennsylvania’s top prosecutor has not said what the announcement is about, but it’s widely speculated the charges are related to findings from a grand jury report released by Kane two weeks ago.
That 147-page report claimed two Roman Catholic bishops in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown helped cover up the sexual abuse of hundreds of children by over 50 priests or religious leaders over a 40-year period.
Kane has said none of the alleged criminal acts can be prosecuted because some abusers have died, statutes of limitations have run their course and victims are too traumatized to testify.
Tuesday’s news conference will be held at Pitt-Johnstown’s Heritage Hall at 10:30 a.m. You can watch the news conference, in its entirety, on-air on 6News, and here online.
Full article: http://wjactv.com/news/local/attorney-general-to-announce-criminal-charges-in-johnstown-tuesday
http://sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Hamilton-Logo.jpg00SOL Reformhttp://sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Hamilton-Logo.jpgSOL Reform2016-03-15 03:44:302016-03-15 03:44:30Ron Musselman, Attorney General to announce criminal charges in Johnstown Tuesday, WJAC
http://sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Hamilton-Logo.jpg00SOL Reformhttp://sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Hamilton-Logo.jpgSOL Reform2016-03-14 13:45:282016-03-14 13:45:28Rukmini Callimachi, To Maintain Supply of Sex Slaves, ISIS Pushes Birth Control, NY Times
Tulsa, Oklahoma — The flag outside the state capitol was fluttering only half as hard as the heart of the woman sitting in the gallery for the meeting of the House committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections.
“I was extremely nervous, I really was,” said Virginia Lewis.
A school teacher for 20 years, she’s normally calm in front of a room full of people.
“Recognize Representative Rousselot for House Bill 2292,” said Representative Pam Peterson.
But this was no ordinary room. Today she would be both teaching and testifying about sexual abuse.
“This is the first time I have gone public with my story,” Virginia testified.
A story which begins 34 years ago with an 11-year-old girl known as Ginger.
“I was probably like every other little girl. I adored my Dad,” she said.
The smiles in the pictures from her childhood are genuine. But these photos were all taken before it began.
“The sexual abuse began when I was eleven years old and continued for five years, on a nearly daily basis. Usually, a horrifying visit in the early morning hours as the rest of the family slept,” she said.
The room sat in a stunned silence, that would someone grow louder when she read some quotes from a handwritten letter.
“I knew what I was doing was wrong and was criminal but I did it anyway. I knew you trusted and adored me and I exploited that so I could keep on doing it without getting caught or without having to figure out what was wrong with me. I was satisfying my own sexual needs at your expense.” Those are the words of my father, George Michael Lewis, written to me,” testified Virginia.
It’s a letter signed “Love, Dad” and she has preserved it like evidence for a case that never came to be.
Michael Lewis received what’s called a Deferred Prosecution Agreement, requiring an “acknowledgment of his misconduct,” and “psychotherapy.” In exchange, he would never face criminal charges. But, says Virginia, even if he hadn’t gotten that deal…
“Even if he hadn’t, he would probably still be free anyway because of the statute of limitations,” she said.
Which is what House Bill 2292 is all about, extending the amount of time that child victims of sexual abuse have to come forward from 12 to 18 years.
“There is no time table on my recovery, there’s no statute of limitations on my recovery, and there should not be any statute of limitations on the time in which an individual has to come forward,” she said.
And that is the main theme of her new role as an advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, launching her website ToPrevail.org in conjunction with her testimony before the House.
“I welcome the opportunity to speak to any group, schools, churches, anybody who wants to hear my story,” she said.
As for Michael Lewis’ story? His life as a high-powered attorney would take a turn recently as Tulsa’s Channel 8 launched an investigation. On Friday, March 4th, he was scheduled to teach a class called the Ethics of Representing Children for the organization Tulsa Lawyers for Children whose mission statement is “Protecting Rights of Abused Children.”
When Tulsa’s Channel 8 contacted TLC and informed them of Virginia’s testimony, they replied; “Mr. Lewis is a well-respected attorney and supporter of TLC. In light of these allegations, he has voluntarily removed himself as lecturer for the March 4th TLC training,”- Elizabeth Carroll Hocker, Executive Director
When we reached out to Mr. Lewis himself he emailed that he “would appreciate it if you could put off airing this story for a couple of days…” Shortly after that, his profile page on his law firm’s website was removed. And when we then contacted Doerner Saunders, Daniel & Anderson, they told us “Mr. Lewis is on an indefinite leave of absence from the firm.” Mr. Lewis then emailed us again only to say he had no comment on his daughter’s testimony.
But Virginia’s testimony has received comments from survivors of sexual abuse.
“Even just since Wednesday I’ve heard from several survivors who have told me their story for the very first time,” she said.
After her testimony at the capitol…
“I just, you’re a modern day hero so thank you,” said Rep. Peterson.
Lawmakers voted unanimously to pass the bill on to the next stage, as Virginia contemplates the next stage of her life.
“Well, I can tell you this, I’m in the best spot I’ve ever been,” she said.
UPDATE : Tulsa’s Channel 8 has received an email from Doerner Saunders, Daniel & Anderson stating the Mr. Lewis has resigned from the firm.
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)
A once high-ranking Altoona priest is publicly blasting jurors and law enforcement personnel. His boss, Altoona’s bishop, should demote or at least discipline him. And the bishop should order all church employees to resist the temptation to blame others for wrongdoing by church staff.
Msgr. Michael Servinsky told a newspaper that “the grand jury did quite a hatchet job on Bishop Joseph (Adamec) – they did him in.”
How bizarre. Msgr. Servinsky pled the fifth before the grand jury. Yet now, he publicly attacks the impartial citizens who did their civic duty by sitting for grand jury duty and the unbiased law enforcement staff who spent two years investigating the reckless, callous and deceitful Altoona Catholic officials.
(Msgr. Servinsky also implied that locking up child molesters doesn’t really help and that police and judges – not church officials – took the initiative to hid clergy child sex crimes: “ I know situations where police and judges would collar him and say: ‘Get that guy out of here and we will not prosecute.’” He also made a sweeping and certainly false generalization “Most of the victims who came to us were not interested in taking it to law enforcement. They didn’t want to testify.”)
Shame on Msgr. Servinsky. And shame on Bishop Mark Bartchak for tolerating this priest’s mean-spirited and wrong-headed and self-serving remarks.
Msgr. Servinsky isn’t just any priest. For years, he worked in the Altoona diocesan headquarters as vicar general, a prominent and powerful position directly under the bishop.
It’s bad enough that Catholic officials in Altoona and elsewhere sometimes attack victims, their supporters and their attorneys. It’s distressing that they sometimes attack journalists, whistleblowers and witnesses. We’ve long grown accustomed to such inappropriate attacks from men who claim to be “shepherds.”
But Msgr. Servinsky’s irresponsible and intimidating comments surprise and sadden us. Worse, they will no doubt endanger kids by discouraging others who saw, suspected or suffered child sex crimes or cover ups, and likely already feel hopeless, from protecting kids by calling police and exposing those who commit or conceal this horror.
Msgr. Servinsky and Bishop Joseph Adamec want to have their cake and eat it too, refusing to answer questions by the jurors while later claiming that the jurors and law enforcement professionals somehow got it all wrong. That shows a stunning degree of gall.
And Bartchak let’s them play “bad cop” while he plays “good cop.”
Ignoring wrongdoing encourages more wrongdoing. Bartchak knows this. Yet he ignores Msgr. Servinsky’s inexcusable “shoot the messenger” dodge.
Last September, Bartchak “relieved Msgr. Servinsky of his duties as vicar general.” But Bartchak must do more.
Until Bartchak finds the courage to act, we urge citizens and Catholics to deter more hurtful behavior by Msgr. Servinsky by denouncing him directly and publicly and by refusing to donate to his parish.
(NOTE – The Guardian also reported that Msgr. Servinsky “was cited in the grand jury report as having failed to notify law enforcement in 2001 and 2002 about two priests who admitted past abuse to him, one of boys the other of girls.” The priest now pastors a church in Altoona.)
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 20,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact – David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, davidgclohessy@gmail.com), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, bdorris@SNAPnetwork.org), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, bblaine@snapnetwork.org)v
Fallout from the findings of a grand jury report released last week showing that the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese for decades knew and concealed the sexual abuse of hundreds of children at the hands of priests spilled into the Capitol on Wednesday.
Three state legislators called on all district attorneys across the commonwealth to aggressively pursue abusive Catholic priests.
They also took their gloves off after years of fighting to reform laws designed to empower victims of child sex abuse and vowed to once and for all advance reform legislation.
At a news conference in the state Capitol, state Reps. Mark Rozzi (D-Berks) and Tom Murt (R- Montgomery/Phila.) urged district attorneys throughout the state to pursue every possible lead that may lead to evidence in the investigation and prosecution of abusive priests.
Frank Burns, (D-Cambria), who was also scheduled to participate in the press conference, was unwell and unable to attend.
The legislators urged the local top law enforcement officials to, if necessary, subpoena records in child sex abuse cases, as well as conduct grand jury investigations wherever multiple allegations arise.
Their call for more aggressive efforts on part of law enforcement comes at the heels of a grand jury investigation report that details widespread abuse of hundreds of children over four decades by more than 50 priests in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese.
The two-year investigation yielded 115,042 documents – including handwritten notes, letters and personnel files – that showed that diocesan officials knew about the abuse and concealed it.
The report also implicated local law enforcement officials – including police officials and district attorneys – who at times looked the other way and failed to execute the full weight of their office in investigating allegations of abuse.
Rozzi urged district attorneys to investigate multiple allegations of clergy sex abuse, and even launch their own grand jury investigations.
“Not only a child was abused, the law was abused.” – Rep. Mark Rozzi
“I don’t think we are asking for too much here,” said Rozzi, who is a survivor of clergy sex abuse. “I don’t think we are asking DAs to do anything outside of the law.”
He urged district attorneys to “uphold the law” and follow any evidence they have in order to expose abusive priests.
“How could any child ever get justice in that diocese,” Rozzi said. “Not only a child was abused, the law was abused.”
In an unequivocal show of determination, Rozzi and Murt took turns at the podium to say they would do all possible to advance legislation designed to protect and serve victims of child sex abuse.
Rozzi has for years sponsored legislation that would reform the statute of limitations and offer victims of child sex abuse a window of opportunity to come forward and seek justice.
His legislation – and a handful of other similar pieces of legislation both in the House and the Senate – have languished or failed to advance at every turn.
A current bill – House Bill 951, sponsored by Murt – would provide a two-year window for victims to seek civil action against abusers.
“The laws need to be change because the laws were abused,” Rozzi said.
Such a measure was recommended not only by the grand jury in the Altoona-Johnstown case, but as well, the 2003, 2005 and 2001 grand juries out of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia clergy sex abuse case.
Yet another bill, introduced in the past, supports the complete elimination of criminal statutes in child sex abuse cases.
Rozzi said he and Murt were within “days or weeks” in seeking a discharge resolution, which would move the bill out of the House Judiciary Committee. Rozzi’s previous proposed bills languished in the judiciary committee, which is chaired by Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin).
“We are giving Ron Marsico time to do what is right,” Rozzi said. “We urge the chairman to do what is right.”
Rozzi vowed to “take action” to ensure the bill advanced. He said that Attorney General Kathleen Kane on Wednesday assured him that the provisions of the bill were constitutional.
Shortly after the conclusion of the press conference, Marsico issued a statement in regard to the Altoona-Johnstown report and pending legislation.
“All of the members of the Judiciary Committee are horrified to learn of the recent allegations of child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and our prayers go out to the victims and their families,” he said in the statement.
Marsico said support abolishing the criminal statute of limitation for future criminal prosecutions.
Ron Marsico
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Ron Marsico said that while only a few states have longer windows for their civil statute of limitations, he supports abolishing the criminal statute of limitation for future criminal prosecutions.
Mark Pynes, PennLive.com/file
“In addition, I further believe there should not be any differences between public or private entities in these situations,” he wrote.
He said the judiciary committee planned to “work expeditiously to move legislation to strengthen our laws already in place” and send it to the House floor for a full vote.
Advocates for victims of clergy sex abuse have long contended that Marsico, among several lawmakers, are beholden to the powerful lobbying might of the Catholic Church, whose legislative branch in the Pennsylvania is the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference.
Officials from the conference have long said a major reform to the statutes would create an “unworkable situation.” They point out that cases involving allegations from 30, 40 and 50 years ago would be difficult to try given that memories fade, evidence may be lost and perpetrators or witnesses may be deceased.
Rozzi on Wednesday said: “Our memories don’t fade.”
Murt said he had “engaged” Marsico in conversation about the legislation many times, even pleading with him. He said his entreaties had been “rebuffed with extreme prejudice.”
Murt, who speculated that there may be “thousands, maybe millions” of victims of child sex abuse, noted that the average age of victims who come forth is 42. Many, he said, do not come forward and deal with the trauma of their abuse silently, often in destructive ways.
“Why would they?” Murt said. “The statute of limitations has expired. They can’t charge their abuser criminally and they can’t go after them in civil action.”
The current proposed bill would give abuse victims up to age 50 to file a civil action against their abuser. Currently, that age limit is 30; the age limit for criminal prosecutions in these cases is 50.
Rozzi said that in recent days since the release of the grand jury report out of Altoona, he has been inundated with calls from victims of clergy sex abuse in that diocese.
Rozzi added that he gets calls from victims from all diocese, including Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.
“We are very very passionate about this issue,” he said. “This issue is about justice.
Full article: http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/03/altoona_diocese_priests_cathol.html
http://sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Hamilton-Logo.jpg00SOL Reformhttp://sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Hamilton-Logo.jpgSOL Reform2016-03-10 04:00:232016-03-10 04:00:23Ivey DeJesus, Legislators call on DAs to be aggressive going after abusive priests, Penn Live
Ron Musselman, Attorney General to announce criminal charges in Johnstown Tuesday, WJAC
/in Pennsylvania /by SOL ReformAttorney General Kathleen Kane will be in Johnstown Tuesday morning to announce criminal charges related to a major investigation.
Pennsylvania’s top prosecutor has not said what the announcement is about, but it’s widely speculated the charges are related to findings from a grand jury report released by Kane two weeks ago.
That 147-page report claimed two Roman Catholic bishops in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown helped cover up the sexual abuse of hundreds of children by over 50 priests or religious leaders over a 40-year period.
Kane has said none of the alleged criminal acts can be prosecuted because some abusers have died, statutes of limitations have run their course and victims are too traumatized to testify.
Tuesday’s news conference will be held at Pitt-Johnstown’s Heritage Hall at 10:30 a.m. You can watch the news conference, in its entirety, on-air on 6News, and here online.
Full article: http://wjactv.com/news/local/attorney-general-to-announce-criminal-charges-in-johnstown-tuesday
Rukmini Callimachi, To Maintain Supply of Sex Slaves, ISIS Pushes Birth Control, NY Times
/in Uncategorized /by SOL ReformFull article http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/13/world/middleeast/to-maintain-supply-of-sex-slaves-isis-pushes-birth-control.html?_r=0
To Maintain Supply of Sex Slaves, ISIS Pushes Birth Control – The New York Times
Kristen Dickerson, Sexual Abuse Survivor Breaks Silence, ABC Tulsa
/in Oklahoma /by SOL ReformTulsa, Oklahoma — The flag outside the state capitol was fluttering only half as hard as the heart of the woman sitting in the gallery for the meeting of the House committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections.
“I was extremely nervous, I really was,” said Virginia Lewis.
A school teacher for 20 years, she’s normally calm in front of a room full of people.
“Recognize Representative Rousselot for House Bill 2292,” said Representative Pam Peterson.
But this was no ordinary room. Today she would be both teaching and testifying about sexual abuse.
“This is the first time I have gone public with my story,” Virginia testified.
A story which begins 34 years ago with an 11-year-old girl known as Ginger.
“I was probably like every other little girl. I adored my Dad,” she said.
The smiles in the pictures from her childhood are genuine. But these photos were all taken before it began.
“The sexual abuse began when I was eleven years old and continued for five years, on a nearly daily basis. Usually, a horrifying visit in the early morning hours as the rest of the family slept,” she said.
The room sat in a stunned silence, that would someone grow louder when she read some quotes from a handwritten letter.
“I knew what I was doing was wrong and was criminal but I did it anyway. I knew you trusted and adored me and I exploited that so I could keep on doing it without getting caught or without having to figure out what was wrong with me. I was satisfying my own sexual needs at your expense.” Those are the words of my father, George Michael Lewis, written to me,” testified Virginia.
It’s a letter signed “Love, Dad” and she has preserved it like evidence for a case that never came to be.
Michael Lewis received what’s called a Deferred Prosecution Agreement, requiring an “acknowledgment of his misconduct,” and “psychotherapy.” In exchange, he would never face criminal charges. But, says Virginia, even if he hadn’t gotten that deal…
“Even if he hadn’t, he would probably still be free anyway because of the statute of limitations,” she said.
Which is what House Bill 2292 is all about, extending the amount of time that child victims of sexual abuse have to come forward from 12 to 18 years.
“There is no time table on my recovery, there’s no statute of limitations on my recovery, and there should not be any statute of limitations on the time in which an individual has to come forward,” she said.
And that is the main theme of her new role as an advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, launching her website ToPrevail.org in conjunction with her testimony before the House.
“I welcome the opportunity to speak to any group, schools, churches, anybody who wants to hear my story,” she said.
As for Michael Lewis’ story? His life as a high-powered attorney would take a turn recently as Tulsa’s Channel 8 launched an investigation. On Friday, March 4th, he was scheduled to teach a class called the Ethics of Representing Children for the organization Tulsa Lawyers for Children whose mission statement is “Protecting Rights of Abused Children.”
When Tulsa’s Channel 8 contacted TLC and informed them of Virginia’s testimony, they replied; “Mr. Lewis is a well-respected attorney and supporter of TLC. In light of these allegations, he has voluntarily removed himself as lecturer for the March 4th TLC training,”- Elizabeth Carroll Hocker, Executive Director
When we reached out to Mr. Lewis himself he emailed that he “would appreciate it if you could put off airing this story for a couple of days…” Shortly after that, his profile page on his law firm’s website was removed. And when we then contacted Doerner Saunders, Daniel & Anderson, they told us “Mr. Lewis is on an indefinite leave of absence from the firm.” Mr. Lewis then emailed us again only to say he had no comment on his daughter’s testimony.
But Virginia’s testimony has received comments from survivors of sexual abuse.
“Even just since Wednesday I’ve heard from several survivors who have told me their story for the very first time,” she said.
After her testimony at the capitol…
“I just, you’re a modern day hero so thank you,” said Rep. Peterson.
Lawmakers voted unanimously to pass the bill on to the next stage, as Virginia contemplates the next stage of her life.
“Well, I can tell you this, I’m in the best spot I’ve ever been,” she said.
UPDATE : Tulsa’s Channel 8 has received an email from Doerner Saunders, Daniel & Anderson stating the Mr. Lewis has resigned from the firm.
Priest attacks jurors; Victims want him punished
/in Uncategorized /by SOL ReformStatement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)
A once high-ranking Altoona priest is publicly blasting jurors and law enforcement personnel. His boss, Altoona’s bishop, should demote or at least discipline him. And the bishop should order all church employees to resist the temptation to blame others for wrongdoing by church staff.
Msgr. Michael Servinsky told a newspaper that “the grand jury did quite a hatchet job on Bishop Joseph (Adamec) – they did him in.”
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/mar/08/catholic-priest-child-sex-abuse-ebensburg-pennsylvania
How bizarre. Msgr. Servinsky pled the fifth before the grand jury. Yet now, he publicly attacks the impartial citizens who did their civic duty by sitting for grand jury duty and the unbiased law enforcement staff who spent two years investigating the reckless, callous and deceitful Altoona Catholic officials.
(Msgr. Servinsky also implied that locking up child molesters doesn’t really help and that police and judges – not church officials – took the initiative to hid clergy child sex crimes: “ I know situations where police and judges would collar him and say: ‘Get that guy out of here and we will not prosecute.’” He also made a sweeping and certainly false generalization “Most of the victims who came to us were not interested in taking it to law enforcement. They didn’t want to testify.”)
Shame on Msgr. Servinsky. And shame on Bishop Mark Bartchak for tolerating this priest’s mean-spirited and wrong-headed and self-serving remarks.
Msgr. Servinsky isn’t just any priest. For years, he worked in the Altoona diocesan headquarters as vicar general, a prominent and powerful position directly under the bishop.
It’s bad enough that Catholic officials in Altoona and elsewhere sometimes attack victims, their supporters and their attorneys. It’s distressing that they sometimes attack journalists, whistleblowers and witnesses. We’ve long grown accustomed to such inappropriate attacks from men who claim to be “shepherds.”
But Msgr. Servinsky’s irresponsible and intimidating comments surprise and sadden us. Worse, they will no doubt endanger kids by discouraging others who saw, suspected or suffered child sex crimes or cover ups, and likely already feel hopeless, from protecting kids by calling police and exposing those who commit or conceal this horror.
Msgr. Servinsky and Bishop Joseph Adamec want to have their cake and eat it too, refusing to answer questions by the jurors while later claiming that the jurors and law enforcement professionals somehow got it all wrong. That shows a stunning degree of gall.
And Bartchak let’s them play “bad cop” while he plays “good cop.”
Ignoring wrongdoing encourages more wrongdoing. Bartchak knows this. Yet he ignores Msgr. Servinsky’s inexcusable “shoot the messenger” dodge.
Last September, Bartchak “relieved Msgr. Servinsky of his duties as vicar general.” But Bartchak must do more.
Until Bartchak finds the courage to act, we urge citizens and Catholics to deter more hurtful behavior by Msgr. Servinsky by denouncing him directly and publicly and by refusing to donate to his parish.
(NOTE – The Guardian also reported that Msgr. Servinsky “was cited in the grand jury report as having failed to notify law enforcement in 2001 and 2002 about two priests who admitted past abuse to him, one of boys the other of girls.” The priest now pastors a church in Altoona.)
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 20,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact – David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, davidgclohessy@gmail.com), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, bdorris@SNAPnetwork.org), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, bblaine@snapnetwork.org)v
Ivey DeJesus, Legislators call on DAs to be aggressive going after abusive priests, Penn Live
/in Pennsylvania /by SOL ReformFallout from the findings of a grand jury report released last week showing that the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese for decades knew and concealed the sexual abuse of hundreds of children at the hands of priests spilled into the Capitol on Wednesday.
Three state legislators called on all district attorneys across the commonwealth to aggressively pursue abusive Catholic priests.
They also took their gloves off after years of fighting to reform laws designed to empower victims of child sex abuse and vowed to once and for all advance reform legislation.
At a news conference in the state Capitol, state Reps. Mark Rozzi (D-Berks) and Tom Murt (R- Montgomery/Phila.) urged district attorneys throughout the state to pursue every possible lead that may lead to evidence in the investigation and prosecution of abusive priests.
Frank Burns, (D-Cambria), who was also scheduled to participate in the press conference, was unwell and unable to attend.
The legislators urged the local top law enforcement officials to, if necessary, subpoena records in child sex abuse cases, as well as conduct grand jury investigations wherever multiple allegations arise.
Their call for more aggressive efforts on part of law enforcement comes at the heels of a grand jury investigation report that details widespread abuse of hundreds of children over four decades by more than 50 priests in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese.
The two-year investigation yielded 115,042 documents – including handwritten notes, letters and personnel files – that showed that diocesan officials knew about the abuse and concealed it.
The report also implicated local law enforcement officials – including police officials and district attorneys – who at times looked the other way and failed to execute the full weight of their office in investigating allegations of abuse.
Rozzi urged district attorneys to investigate multiple allegations of clergy sex abuse, and even launch their own grand jury investigations.
“Not only a child was abused, the law was abused.” – Rep. Mark Rozzi
“I don’t think we are asking for too much here,” said Rozzi, who is a survivor of clergy sex abuse. “I don’t think we are asking DAs to do anything outside of the law.”
He urged district attorneys to “uphold the law” and follow any evidence they have in order to expose abusive priests.
“How could any child ever get justice in that diocese,” Rozzi said. “Not only a child was abused, the law was abused.”
In an unequivocal show of determination, Rozzi and Murt took turns at the podium to say they would do all possible to advance legislation designed to protect and serve victims of child sex abuse.
Rozzi has for years sponsored legislation that would reform the statute of limitations and offer victims of child sex abuse a window of opportunity to come forward and seek justice.
His legislation – and a handful of other similar pieces of legislation both in the House and the Senate – have languished or failed to advance at every turn.
A current bill – House Bill 951, sponsored by Murt – would provide a two-year window for victims to seek civil action against abusers.
“The laws need to be change because the laws were abused,” Rozzi said.
Such a measure was recommended not only by the grand jury in the Altoona-Johnstown case, but as well, the 2003, 2005 and 2001 grand juries out of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia clergy sex abuse case.
Yet another bill, introduced in the past, supports the complete elimination of criminal statutes in child sex abuse cases.
Rozzi said he and Murt were within “days or weeks” in seeking a discharge resolution, which would move the bill out of the House Judiciary Committee. Rozzi’s previous proposed bills languished in the judiciary committee, which is chaired by Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin).
“We are giving Ron Marsico time to do what is right,” Rozzi said. “We urge the chairman to do what is right.”
Rozzi vowed to “take action” to ensure the bill advanced. He said that Attorney General Kathleen Kane on Wednesday assured him that the provisions of the bill were constitutional.
Shortly after the conclusion of the press conference, Marsico issued a statement in regard to the Altoona-Johnstown report and pending legislation.
“All of the members of the Judiciary Committee are horrified to learn of the recent allegations of child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and our prayers go out to the victims and their families,” he said in the statement.
Marsico said support abolishing the criminal statute of limitation for future criminal prosecutions.
Ron Marsico
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Ron Marsico said that while only a few states have longer windows for their civil statute of limitations, he supports abolishing the criminal statute of limitation for future criminal prosecutions.
Mark Pynes, PennLive.com/file
“In addition, I further believe there should not be any differences between public or private entities in these situations,” he wrote.
He said the judiciary committee planned to “work expeditiously to move legislation to strengthen our laws already in place” and send it to the House floor for a full vote.
Advocates for victims of clergy sex abuse have long contended that Marsico, among several lawmakers, are beholden to the powerful lobbying might of the Catholic Church, whose legislative branch in the Pennsylvania is the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference.
Officials from the conference have long said a major reform to the statutes would create an “unworkable situation.” They point out that cases involving allegations from 30, 40 and 50 years ago would be difficult to try given that memories fade, evidence may be lost and perpetrators or witnesses may be deceased.
Rozzi on Wednesday said: “Our memories don’t fade.”
Murt said he had “engaged” Marsico in conversation about the legislation many times, even pleading with him. He said his entreaties had been “rebuffed with extreme prejudice.”
Murt, who speculated that there may be “thousands, maybe millions” of victims of child sex abuse, noted that the average age of victims who come forth is 42. Many, he said, do not come forward and deal with the trauma of their abuse silently, often in destructive ways.
“Why would they?” Murt said. “The statute of limitations has expired. They can’t charge their abuser criminally and they can’t go after them in civil action.”
The current proposed bill would give abuse victims up to age 50 to file a civil action against their abuser. Currently, that age limit is 30; the age limit for criminal prosecutions in these cases is 50.
Rozzi said that in recent days since the release of the grand jury report out of Altoona, he has been inundated with calls from victims of clergy sex abuse in that diocese.
Rozzi added that he gets calls from victims from all diocese, including Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.
“We are very very passionate about this issue,” he said. “This issue is about justice.
Full article: http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/03/altoona_diocese_priests_cathol.html
So much happening nationwide.
/in Uncategorized /by SOL ReformPennsylvania: Opinion: End statute of limitations on child sex abuse
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/thinktank/End-statute-of-limitations-on-child-sex-abuse.html
Hawaii: Denby Fawcett: Abused By Priests As A Child, He’s ‘Finally Been Released’
http://www.civilbeat.com/2016/03/denby-fawcett-abused-by-priests-as-a-child-hes-finally-been-released/
Utah: Op-ed: Give survivors more time to file child sexual-abuse claims
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3628750-155/op-ed-give-survivors-more-time-to
Pennsylvania: Inquirer Editorial: Time can’t heal sexual abuse by priests
http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20160308_Inquirer_Editorial__Time_can_t_heal_sexual_abuse_by_priests.html
Pennsylvania: Democrat pushes to extend statutes for church abuse victims
http://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/10100640-74/rozzi-abuse-priests
Pennsylvania: ‘He was a monster’: how priest child abuse tore apart Pennsylvania towns
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/mar/08/catholic-priest-child-sex-abuse-ebensburg-pennsylvania
Pennsylvania: Give child abuse victims a chance for justice
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2016/03/08/Give-child-abuse-victims-a-chance-for-justice/stories/201603080013