Child Abuse
Please Proclaim from the Housetops
Aug 21, 2018 — Categories: Clergy Ethics, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by Clergy“So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops.” (Matthew 10:26-7) This is what justice looks like. We are getting a glimpse of it with the release of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report on child sexual abuse in six Roman Catholic dioceses.
Oprah and the Jesuits
Nov 19, 2007 — Categories: Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyThe Jesuits have settled a lawsuit brought by Alaska Native survivors for $50 million, the largest single settlement against a religious order. At least 110 children and youth were sexually abused from 1961 until 1987 in remote villages in Alaska by Roman Catholic priests.
Dear Pope: It’s Me Again
Apr 19, 2010 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyI’m still waiting for your call, but in the meantime, I’m quite happy to provide you with a free consultation because it’s so important that you get this right. So let me suggest some fine tuning to your efforts this past week. Please pass this memo on to your PR people.
Judge Adams, Part 2: “Judge Not That You Not Be Judged . . .”
Jan 14, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Child AbuseChristian scripture is very clear. In Romans, Paul doesn’t mince words about the hypocrisy of sitting in judgment on another . . . when you are doing the exact same things.
Déjà Vu All Over Again
Oct 24, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Child AbuseNow it’s the Boy Scouts. They have been forced by the court to release the “Perversion Files”: over 1200 reports of sexual abuse by scoutmasters from 1965-85. Admittedly the record is mixed. Some allegations were investigated and some scoutmasters were banned from scouting. Some reappeared with another troop after a hiatus. Hardly any were reported to law enforcement.
Sometimes We See Justice Made
Jul 21, 2016 — Categories: Clergy Ethics, Child Abuse, Christian, Sexual Abuse by ClergyWhen national Protestant denominations meet, there is a lot of necessary but mundane business that goes on. But sometimes something very important occurs and it should be noted. This summer, I've received updates from two denominations that are explicitly addressing abuse by clergy at their national gatherings: The Presbyterian Church USA and the Unitarian Universalists.
“‘A Day of Reckoning and Justice’ for Abuse Victims”
Mar 29, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyThis was the front page headline that greeted me Saturday morning in my local paper, The Seattle Times. The quote is from Clarita Vargas, 51, of Tacoma, WA, who was abused as a child at an Indian Boarding School run by the Jesuits on the Colville Reservation. She is referring to a settlement in which 500 adult survivors will receive $166.1 million from the Northwest Jesuit Order.
“I listen . . .”
Mar 13, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Clergy Ethics, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyThe Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, was recently interviewed on 60 Minutes, discussing his efforts since becoming Archbishop to address the sexual abuse of children by priests.
Order More Millstones...
Sep 07, 2017 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual ViolenceBrentwood Academy is an elite, non-denominational Christian, college prep school in a Nashville suburb. A civil lawsuit has been filed by a mother on behalf of her teen-aged son who was a sixth grade student at Brentwood in 2014-15. The suit alleges that the sixth grader was bullied and raped repeatedly by an 8th grade student in the locker room while other boys held him down and watched. The suit further alleges that the school knew and did not report to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services as required by law.
Guest Blog: Hope in the Research #7
Oct 07, 2021 — Categories: Clergy Ethics, Child Abuse, Multifaith, Sexual Violence, Sexual Abuse by ClergyIn this blog post, Rev. James Evinger highlights some recent research trends, including research in diverse religious communities and settings that have been underrepresented or ignored, evidence-based methodologies, and specific factors related to clergy abuse cases within the legal/justice system. Since 1995, Rev. Evinger has reviewed materials and updated the Annotated Bibliography of Clergy Sexual Abuse and Sexual Boundary Violations in Religious Communities. This huge undertaking has provided an extraordinary resource for scholars and researchers, as well as those seeking to address the needs of survivors.
Dear Pope: It's Me Again
Jun 11, 2015 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Christian, Sexual Abuse by ClergyDear Pope: It’s been a while since I wrote to you. Like many people around the world, I’ve been watching your tenure closely, particularly regarding the sexual abuse of children. I want to commend you for your move to establish a tribunal for holding bishops accountable for their actions to protect abusers and stonewall investigations or their inaction to protect children in response to sexual abuse by priests. I also commend you for actually listening to the Papal Commission you established in late 2013 to advise you on these matters.
A Celebration and an Update
Aug 20, 2007 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual ViolenceThis month, there was a celebration in Malicounda Bambara, Senegal, of the 10th anniversary of the village’s public declaration to abandon female genital cutting (FGC).
A Measure of Justice for Survivors in Australia
Aug 03, 2007 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyIn Queensland, Australia, the government has formally made restitution to individuals and families who suffered abuse as children in government- and church-sponsored institutions. It only took ten years.
Custom of Female Genital Cutting Is No More
Apr 05, 2007 — Categories: Current Events, Child AbuseThe 2,000-year-old, nearly universal practice of female genital cutting (FGC) in Guinea, West Africa, has been abandoned by the village of Lalya and 149 other connected villages. No longer will young girls have their clitorises removed nor will they be forced into early marriage.
GUEST BLOG: The Child Victims’ Act and Restoring Spiritual Wellbeing
Apr 26, 2016 — Categories: Sexual Abuse by Clergy, Child Abuse, MultifaithApril is Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month in the United States, coinciding with a renewed attempt for New York legislators to ratify the Child Victims' Act (A2872A/S63A). The proposed legislation, sponsored by Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Queens) and Senator Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan), is being reintroduced after previous failure to pass. It would eliminate the statute of limitations (SOL) for prosecuting perpetrators of sex crimes against children, and would create a one-year window for victims to bring civil suits against perpetrators in cases where the statute has already expired.
Missing the Point...Entirely
Jul 31, 2014 — Categories: Current Events, Clergy Ethics, Child AbuseA 14 year old child goes to her priest and tells him that an adult parishioner has been initiating sexual contact with her. She asks the priest what she should do. “The child testified during deposition that [the priest’s] advice to her was to handle the issue herself because ‘too many people would be hurt.’ Court documents also say she testified, ‘He just said, this is your problem. Sweep it under the floor.’"
News with Teeth
Jul 26, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyThis week’s news that the Paterno statue has been removed from the Penn State campus, the NCAA heavily penalized Penn State with both a fine of $60 million and denied their wins of the football team as well as its future bowl game participation was welcome news.
The Truth Will Set You Free
Jul 06, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Child AbuseA small news story hidden deep in the paper caught my eye. A middle school teacher has been arrested and charged with child rape. She has been placed on leave. The boy decided to come forward and disclose after hearing a church sermon which urged victims of sexual abuse to speak up because “the truth will set you free.”
“Let the children come to me and forbid them not . . . and let the healing begin.”
Aug 19, 2009 — Categories: Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyThrough the eyes of three families, the documentary All God’s Children (70 minutes) www.alllgodschildrenthefilm.com tells the personal story of the first boarding school for children of missionaries to be investigated for abuse at the hands of the parents’ Protestant missionary colleagues.
Guest Blog: Hope in the Research #8
Apr 02, 2022 — Categories: Clergy Ethics, Sexual Abuse by Clergy, Child Abuse, MultifaithIn this blog post, Rev. James Evinger highlights some recent research trends, including research in communities and contexts that are underrepresented or ignored in Western media, evidence-based methodologies, conceptual frameworks and analysis that explore theological and ethical responses to abuse, secular and institutional responses, and relevant historical material. Since 1995, Rev. Evinger has reviewed materials and updated the Annotated Bibliography of Clergy Sexual Abuse and Sexual Boundary Violations in Religious Communities. This huge undertaking has provided an extraordinary resource for scholars and researchers, as well as those seeking to address the needs of survivors.
