The All-American Boys Chorus and the Cycle of Abuse

The recent lawsuit against Fr. Richard T. Coughlin, The All-American Boys Chorus, and the Diocese of Orange has sparked a flurry of conversation and controversy online. Why? A whole generation of kids was destroyed by Coughlin. And of course, a lot of people were quick to defend the chorus and say, “Things are different now.”…Continue reading The All-American Boys Chorus and the Cycle of Abuse

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

He didn’t murder any of our students—so it’s ok

Schools need to rethink how they handle cases of teachers who are busted with child pornography and/or who molest. Imagine if you received a letter from your child’s school like this:   Dear Parents: Today, Mr. John Doe, a long-term substitute teacher and math tutor at our school, was arrested for murder. We learned that he…Continue reading He didn’t murder any of our students—so it’s ok

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

Tod Brown: Spinning yarns after all these years

That big BOOM you heard this morning in Southern California? That was my head exploding after reading the cover story in today’s Orange County Register. From the article: Though the diocese’s growth was exponential, there was also a period of turmoil when the nationwide Catholic Church sex abuse scandal erupted. Bishop Tod Brown, who took…Continue reading Tod Brown: Spinning yarns after all these years

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

Bill Cosby arrested and charged with sexual assault

      Note: it was the release of previously sealed depositions in the CIVIL case against Cosby that finally encouraged Montgomery County, PA prosecutors to file criminal charges. In 2004, when former Temple University employee Andrea Constand originally reported the sexual assault, prosecutors would not charge Cosby. But 49 women and a 2005 deposition later, the…Continue reading Bill Cosby arrested and charged with sexual assault