California outlaws secret abuse settlements, hidden evidence

The era of secret child sex abuse settlements in California is over. I am usually quick to beat up on California Governor Jerry Brown for his poor record on protecting institutions who cover-up child sex abuse. But a new law enacted January 1, 2017, slipped under my radar— and organizations who harbor men and women who…Continue reading California outlaws secret abuse settlements, hidden evidence

San Diego parishioners kept in the dark about sexual assault

For the second time in four years, a San Diego priest credibly accused (and later criminally charged) with sexual assault was allowed to stay in a parish while parishioners were kept in the dark. Apparently, Bishop Robert McElroy doesn’t think that’s a big deal. He’s wrong. Priest charged under Minnesota Law Fr. Jacob Andrew Bertrand is…Continue reading San Diego parishioners kept in the dark about sexual assault

House of Representatives introduces SOL reform bill

Back in December, I wrote about a US Senate bill that that would give states money if they enacted legislation that extended or eliminated unexpired statutes of limitation for child sexual abuse. Now, the House of Representatives has put together a bipartisan bill that “harmonizes the statute of limitations for sex abuse victims and sex trafficking…Continue reading House of Representatives introduces SOL reform bill

Mater Dei: Loving abusers and cover-up after all these years.

As I stated in my previous post, little has changed in the Diocese of Orange since 2005, when church officials settled sex abuse and cover-up lawsuits with 87 child victims. I’d thought I share a little Facebook proof with you. Now I will admit, I have been sitting on this information for a while. The…Continue reading Mater Dei: Loving abusers and cover-up after all these years.

Mother of second alleged victim of archbishop speaks, Victims respond

Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, CA, Western Regional Director of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPNetwork.org)  Our hearts ache for Doris Concepcion, who has so bravely spoken out about the abuse her son endured. Parents of sexual abuse victims carry an awful and painful burden. Ms. Concepcion only wanted the…Continue reading Mother of second alleged victim of archbishop speaks, Victims respond

Keeping your teen safer from abuse has never been easier

You asked. I listened. And for a short time, the result is FREE. Parents of teens and tweens have special concerns about their children’s safety. They came to me in droves asking me to create a stand-alone book—a book that only talks about the issues that older children and their parents face. The Well-Armored Teen:…Continue reading Keeping your teen safer from abuse has never been easier

Why did the Vatican reinstate a convicted priest?

The answer is simple: they thought no one would notice. When Indian priest Rev. Joseph Jeyapaul pleaded guilty in 2012 to child molestation in the Diocese of Crookston, MN, Jeyapaul’s victims and their supporters (including SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) believed—at first—that they had won a huge victory. Not only had Jeyapaul fled the…Continue reading Why did the Vatican reinstate a convicted priest?

Well-Armored Child Review in Gallup Independent

    The Gallup Independent does not have an online edition. The entire article is posted here. Published in the Gallup Independent, Gallup, NM, Feb. 1, 2016  Advocate publishes parent’s guide on sex abuse   By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola Independent correspondent   GALLUP — As an advocate for victims of sexual abuse, Joelle Casteix has used…Continue reading Well-Armored Child Review in Gallup Independent

“Baby-buying” seminarian rejected by 45 dioceses, orders

    What made the Stubenville diocese take a potential seminarian that 45 other dioceses and religious orders had previously rejected? Joel Wright is the 23-year-old Catholic seminarian who has been charged with attempting to adopt or purchase (for cash) a 1-year-old and a 4-year-old. He didn’t want to be a father. He wanted them for…Continue reading “Baby-buying” seminarian rejected by 45 dioceses, orders

“He created the group to find children to abuse”

        Children’s Theater Company of Minneapolis has a problem that is never going to go away. Yesterday, a victim of sexual abuse filed the fourth abuse and cover-up lawsuit against the theater company. The latest civil lawsuit, brought by a woman who is now an academic advisor at the University of Minnesota,…Continue reading “He created the group to find children to abuse”