Freedom fighters for victims of child abuse

2016 was an important year in our history. It has been one of the most successful in shaping how we respond to reports of child sexual abuse, writes Lisa Flynn.

As we usher in 2017, it is important that we reflect on the lessons we have learnt and resolve to keep doing better to stop child abuse and continue to respond to survivors of abuse positively and compassionately.

http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/opinion/20381-freedom-fighters-for-victims-of-child-abuse 

Survivor: warning signs about paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale were ignored

Gabrielle Short can conjure no fond memories of this place, the old orphanage once known as the Nazareth House Girls' Home, once her home.
Sitting opposite Lake Wendouree, the structure is grandiose and beautiful but it seemed swallowed by a sickness in 1963, when Short was just seven.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/survivor-warning-signs-about-paedophile-priest-gerald-ridsdale-were-ignored-20150521-gh6teo.html 

Pope has done 'close to nothing' to stop clerical sex abuse, author claims

An Italian author has lashed out at Pope Francis, claiming the Catholic leader has not followed through on his promise to have a zero tolerance approach on clerical sex abuse.

Emiliano Fittipaldi makes the accusations against the Pope in his new book Lussuria ('Lust') which will be released in Italy on Thursday.

http://www.premier.org.uk/News/Church/Pope-has-done-close-to-nothing-to-stop-clerical-sex-abuse-author-claims 

Joliet priest says diocese failed to follow protocol to protect children

Standing before parishioners in his historic Joliet church, the Rev. Peter Jankowski said years of internal conflict had brought him to this difficult moment. In an emotional homily, the parish priest publicly blew the whistle on his diocese for alleged past failures that he said put children at potential risk.
Jankowski delivered the homily three times two Sundays ago, including once in Spanish for his multicultural congregation. Before he left the pulpit, he asked members at St. Patrick's Catholic Church to pray for him as he embarks on a public crusade — including a direct appeal to Pope Francis.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/joliet-romeoville/ct-joliet-priest-met-20170117-story.html 

Church allowed abuse by priest for years

This article was prepared by the Globe Spotlight Team: reporters Matt Carroll, Sacha Pfeiffer, and Michael Rezendes; and editor Walter V. Robinson. It was written by Rezendes.
Since the mid-1990s, more than 130 people have come forward with horrific childhood tales about how former priest John J. Geoghan allegedly fondled or raped them during a three-decade spree through a half-dozen Greater Boston parishes.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/special-reports/2002/01/06/church-allowed-abuse-priest-for-years/cSHfGkTIrAT25qKGvBuDNM/story.html 

Cardinal Pell’s office dismisses attack over sex abuse handling as opposition to reform

VATICAN CITY – In reaction to a new book claiming that Pope Francis has in fact done little to combat clerical sex abuse, and that Cardinal George Pell is implicated, the Australian cardinal's office has dismissed the claims as motivated by opposition to reform.
“These most recent attacks on the Vatican, economic reforms and Cardinal George Pell are not only regurgitating false claims but appear to have a more sinister intent,” read a Jan. 15 statement from the office of Cardinal Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy.

http://www.catholicregister.org/home/international/item/24089-cardinal-pell-s-office-dismisses-attack-over-sex-abuse-handling-as-opposition-to-reform 

Unspoken abuse: Mothers who rape their sons

TRIGGER WARNING: This story discusses experiences of childhood sexual abuse, incest and suicide.

“I AM very sorry I brought you so much pain,” Marcus* wrote in his final letter, “Thank you for caring for me. I know I didn’t deserve it.”
Marcus died by suicide two years ago and when he did, he left University of Canberra researcher Lucetta Thomas a message.  The sentence that stayed with her was this one: “The only course of action is for you to do something positive, like finish the PhD.”

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/true-stories/unspoken-abuse-mothers-who-rape-their-sons/news-story/25ad244866c90d0bceac6094e2523a7e 

Whistleblower Peter Fox says police should apologise now to abuse victims

The former detective chief inspector whose whistleblowing sparked the Royal Commission into child sexual abuse says the police force should apologise now to the victims it failed.

Australia's police commissioners are currently considering making an apology to victims of child sex abuse, but they say any apology wouldn't be made until the royal commission's final report, due mid December 2017.  Peter Fox says there's no reason to delay, and if police commissioners are sincere the apology should be made now.

http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2016/s4605225.htm 

Australia's oldest Catholic boys' boarding school to formally apologise to sex abuse victims

Australia's oldest Catholic boys' boarding school is set to apologise to students who were sexually abused by staff during their time there.

St Stanislaus College in Bathurst has been at the centre of child abuse investigations for almost a decade, and a number of priests, chaplains and teachers have been convicted.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-20/bathurst-catholic-school-to-formally-apologise-over-sexual-abuse/8197290 

Bozell & Graham: Snoozing at teachers who abuse children

On Jan. 13, a judge in Houston, Texas, sentenced Alexandria Vera to 10 years in prison. Her crime? The 25-year-old teacher at Stovall Middle School struck up a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old student — having sex almost every day, she said, for nine months — but with the parents' approval. She could be eligible for parole in five years.
Prosecutors alleged Vera groomed the child and his family, moving the teen and his father into her home and pretending she was dating the father. She also bought groceries for the boy's family and paid the phone bills. She even became pregnant by the boy. When child-protection workers closed in, she got an abortion. Unsurprisingly, the boy is now in foster care.

https://www.conservativereview.com/commentary/2017/01/snoozing-at-teachers-who-abuse-children 

Catholic and Protestant abuses still need redress

Having been appointed to the papal commission on child protection, I can confirm that Emiliano Fittipaldi is broadly correct that the pope has done little on child abuse. I might argue that Francis has done more than his predecessor, but it still is not enough. I made the same point publicly last year. Damian Thompson recently wrote in the Spectator of the pope reversing a defrocking of “an Italian priest with a passion for expensive cars and underage boys”, who has since been jailed by the civil courts . As long as such outrages continue, it is hard to take the pope’s commitment seriously.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/20/catholic-and-protestant-abuses-still-need-redress 

Ex-worker sues priest sex-abuse victims advocacy group, says it exploited survivors

A former employee of the Chicago-based Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests has sued the victims advocacy group, alleging that SNAP exploited victims of sexual abuse by clergy in return for financial kickbacks from attorneys.
According to a lawsuit filed this week in Cook County Circuit Court, Gretchen Rachel Hammond worked as a director of development from July 2011 until she said she was fired in February 2013, shortly after asking superiors whether SNAP was referring potential clients to attorneys in exchange for donations.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-snap-lawsuit-met-20170119-story.html 

When your beloved pastor/priest turns into your betrayer

Ever wondered what happens when people who are supposed to offer spiritual guidance turn out to be defilers?   Growing up in Nigeria, the only person that offers the type of peace, security that you should expect from parents is your priest in my case, pastors in other cases.
In fact, some children/young adults would often run to the church for refuge when the home fails to provide the safety they need

http://pulse.ng/religion/rape-culture-in-church-when-your-beloved-pastor-priest-turns-into-your-betrayer-id6077682.html