TX - Group seeks grand jury investigation into school

• Episcopal officials just found guilty of hiding abuse
• Clergy sex victims want law enforcement to do more
• SNAP: “Bishop should aggressively seek out others who were hurt”
• Those “who saw, suspected or suffered crimes must speak up,” group says

WHAT

Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and supporters will

--prod local prosecutors to open a grand jury investigation into abuse and cover up allegations at the Episcopal School of Dallas (just hit with a $9 million verdict last week),

-- urge school officials to re-consider their decision to appeal a recent $9 million verdict in a child sex abuse and cover up case,

--  beg others who saw, suspected or suffered child sex crimes or cover ups at the school to step forward, call police, protect others and start healing, and

-- urge Dallas’ Episcopal bishop to use his resources (diocesan website, parish bulletins, etc.) to aggressively seek out and help anyone else who witnessed or experienced child sex crimes at the school.

WHEN

Thursday, September 29^th, 10:00 a.m.

WHERE

Outside the Episcopal School of Dallas, 4100 Merrell Rd (first block west of Midway Rd.), Dallas , TX

WHO

Three-four clergy sex abuse victims and advocates who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a St. Louis man who is the organization’s long time director

WHY

Last week, a Dallas County jury awarded a former ESD former student and her family $9 million in a civil child sex abuse and cover up case involving a teacher named Nathan Campbell.

During litigation, however, another allegation of abuse and cover up surfaced. According to D Magazine, during the trial, “a father going by the pseudonym of Bill Black claimed that the headmaster Father Stephen Swann threatened to expel his daughter when she came forward with allegations of abuse in 1993. This case is still pending.”

Because of two recent allegations, SNAP wants local prosecutors to convene a grand jury and look into other possible wrong doing at the school. Pursuing charges only against the actual predator, the group feels, is insufficient.

When the relationship was discovered, the girl was asked to leave the school in a move the school said was in her best interest.

The jury found that school officials were grossly negligent in how they handled the incident when the relationship was discovered.

Campbell faces criminal charges stemming from his child sexual abuse of the girl. At the time of Campbell’s crimes, he was more than twice the 16 year old girl’s age.

The victim is represented by attorney Charla Aldous  214-526-5595   [email protected]

http://www.dmagazine.com/Home/D_Magazine/2011/October/Episcopal_School_of_Dallas_Sex_Scandal.aspx

CONTACT

David Clohessy 314 566 9790 cell, [email protected], Lisa Kendzior, SNAP DFW (817)773-5907, Barbara Dorris 314 503 0003, [email protected]