As of this writing, there is no new new news on SB 131. California Governor Jerry Brown has until Sunday to sign the bill, veto it, or do nothing. If he signs the bill or does nothing, SB 131 will become law on January 1, 2014 Let’s keep our fingers crossed for victims—all victims. Why? Because…Continue reading T-minus 2 for SB 131
Here is the latest on SB 131: Governor Brown has until October 13 (a previous blog post said October 10) to sign the bill, veto the bill, or do nothing. If he signs the bill or does nothing, SB 131 becomes law. As written, the law would go into effect on January 1, 2014. If…Continue reading So … what’s going on with SB 131?
My inbox fills up this time every year with emails from panicked parents who write and ask me if their school is a safe place for their kids. Sometimes, I can give parents a history of accused or arrested predators who have worked or volunteered at a particular campus, but that usually doesn’t tell the…Continue reading QUIZ: How safe is your child’s school?
Msgr. John Urell is back in the headlines again, this time featured in the latest document dump by religious orders in the Los Angeles Archdiocese. From Gustavo Arellano at the OC Weekly: At the end of the 121-page report is the memo, detailing a conversation that a Vicentian Fathers and Brothers investigator had with Urell…Continue reading John Urell and the ol’ “Forgiveness vs. Accountability” argument
Senate Bill 131 – The California Child Victims’ Act – just passed an Assembly floor vote, 42-14. The bill give victims of child sexual abuse a one-year window to come forward and use the civil court system to get justice and accountability. It is also a huge step forward for ALL victims of abuse—the more…Continue reading California Child Victims’ Act Passes Assembly Floor Vote
In response to the announcement today that the Gallup Diocese would be seeking bankruptcy protection, Patrick Wall (no relation to Gallup Bishop James Wall) put together this list of 24 Gallup clerics who are probably making Bishop James Wall and his lawyers very, very scared. Even without a ton of detail, the list is gag-inducing. It’s…Continue reading Gallup’s Double Dirty Dozen
Because when you spend big $$ to fight child safety legislation in another state, you begin to look a little guilty … USA Swimming has been forced to commission an independent review of its SafeSport program, after critics charged that coaches were not screened, abuse was rampant, and whistleblowers were punished for reporting. Latest reports…Continue reading Congress asking q’s about dirty pool at USA Swimming
SB 131 – The California Child Victims’ Act – is scheduled for a floor vote in the Assembly soon. And the Archdiocese of LA is pulling out all of the stops. The Archdiocese, in its attempt to defeat the bill, has created a website that allows ordinary folks to send mass emails to legislators. They hope…Continue reading As SB131 heads to Assembly floor, LA Archdiocese spins and presses
or Unfair Command Influence, Part 2: The Bully Pulpit, Exclusive Access and a Conviction If you had any questions as to why California’s child sex abuse victims desperately need a civil window, today’s news should close the deal. The Bully Pulpit California Catholic News published a July 31 email from Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez,…Continue reading Victims like prime rib, too
In 1955, a woman named Rosa Parks refused to give up her Montgomery, Alabama bus seat to a white man. But on that day, she did not stand up and shout, “If ALL African Americans can’t have complete and equal rights and access, then NO ONE should get anything!” Why? Because civil rights movements are…Continue reading What if Rosa didn’t take a stand?
While many of Pope Francis’ statements are still open for interpretation and follow-up, I am beginning to think that the best part of his papacy will be the fact that, eventually, his views on homosexuality and the theology of women will make Bill Donohue’s head explode.
Your question of the day: You see a child being sexually abused and beaten on a street corner. Whom do you call? Answer: The local university, your bishop, your commander or the leader of the closest nonprofit. Ridiculous? Of course it is. Utterly absurd? Yes. Child endangerment? You bet. So let’s try again with the correct…Continue reading Institutions need to get out of the sex abuse investigation business
A United Nations’ committee has asked the Vatican to turn over documents pertaining to child sex abuse and cover up. According to The Tablet: The UN’s Geneva-based Committee on the Rights of the Child on Tuesday issued a list of demands for detailed information from the Holy See regarding all cases of child sexual abuse committed…Continue reading What will Francis do?
Tell your friends! Events like this don’t come along often. If you join us: twenty years from now, you’ll look back on meeting a group of people who set out to change the world for the better … and DID! TODAY SAN DIEGO, CA Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 7 pm Alliant University, Green Hall, Co-sponsored by…Continue reading MORTAL SINS West Coast book tour kicks off tonight in San Diego
The California Child Victims Act—SB 131—has made it through Appropriations and is scheduled for a vote on the Senate Floor TOMORROW. The bill dramatically extends the civil statute of limitations for children who are sexually abused and gives older victims a one-year window to come forward, expose their abuser and seek accountability. In short, if…Continue reading The CA Child Victims Act Needs Your Support – NOW
From today’s OC Register: Sexual abuse victims seek more time to sue BY SCOTT M. REID / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER Charmaine Carnes still remembers the sick feeling she had the first time her gymnastics coach sexually molested her. “I was 8 or 9 years old the first time I felt dread. My coach, Doug Boger, was…Continue reading California Child Victims’ Act Passes Judiciary
It’s not like he stole money or anything … because then he would have gone to jail AND been excommunicated. Eleven years after the U.S. Bishops’ Conference promised to “Mak[e] prompt and effective response to allegations; Cooperat[e] with civil authorities; and Disciplin[e] offenders,” we are offered this charming nugget from the New Jersey Star-Ledger: Newark archbishop allows…Continue reading Zero Tolerance is for the little people
Just when you thought he was going away quietly … Sources say that disgraced Cardinal Roger Mahony is embarking on a “mandatory attendence” PR campaign to convince local priests that he’s the good guy in cases of dozens of clerics who sexually abused hundreds of children during his tenure as Archbishop of Los Angeles. Although this information…Continue reading Mahony’s back to his favorite pastime
I have spoken with five of Jay Ram’s victims. This lawsuit was a long day coming, but hopefully, witnesses will come forward and Jay Ram will be held accountable. Hakalau farmer named in child sex abuse lawsuit He adopted and fostered boys in HI and CA, then Victim charges man isolated boys, abused them …Continue reading Hilo-area farmer accused of child sex abuse, forced child labor
Excellent news for victims of sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles … From The Associated Press: LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Los Angeles judge has ordered the release of personnel files that would identify Roman Catholic priests accused of child molestation. Superior Court Judge Emilie Elias also said Monday that she wants the…Continue reading Breaking: Judge orders release of UNREDACTED LA priest files