HI- Victims to leaflet Kailua neighborhood where accused priest lived, worked

Victims to leaflet Kailua neighborhood where accused priest lived, worked

A least six kids have charged cleric with abuse

Neighbors may know witnesses, other victims

It is safe and right to talk about abuse, leaflet says

New law gives victims rights to expose abuse, get justice

What: Victims of sexual abuse and their supporters will leaflet a Kailua neighborhood where a six-time accused priest worked and lived. The leaflets will:

- Alert neighbors about accusations and lawsuits against the Diocese of Honolulu and Fr. J. Michael Henry,

- Let people know that it is safe and right to talk about abuse, 

- Ask people to come forward if they have information or are witnesses to abuse, and

- Urge victims to report abuse to law enforcement and get help and healing.

Where: The neighborhood surrounding St. Anthony's Parish in Kailua. 

148 Makawao St  in Kailua

Leafleting will start at the SW corner of Kalaheo and Makawao

For exact location, call (949) 322-7434

When: Wednesday, June 12, 11 am to 1 pm

Who: Two to three men and women who are members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPNetwork.org), including a California woman who the group's Western Regional Director.

Why: Victims of sexual abuse and their supporters are passing out leaflets in a Kailua neighborhood in the hopes of reaching out to victims of abuse and alerting the neighborhood about an accused predator priest.. 

At least six children have now come forward and charged that Fr. J. Michael Henry, a former Diocese of Honolulu priest and a member of the Maryknoll order, sexually abused them while the cleric worked at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Kailua. Henry lived at the parish from 1952 to 1974. 

The victims are able to come forward and expose their abuse because of a landmark new law that allows victims to file lawsuits in civil court, no matter when their abuse occurred. The law expires in April 2014. http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2012/07_08/2012_08_24_Sakahara_2Kailua.htm

SNAP is urging people to come forward before the civil window closes. They fear that there may be more victims of Henry suffering alone in shame and silence.

SNAP also believes that members of the parish and neighbors may know of valuable information that can help victims. They will be urging people to talk to their children, friends and neighbors about abuse and report anything they know to law enforcement, no matter the offender.

Copies of the leaflet will be available at the event.

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2013/01_02/2013_02_22_Gutierrez_VictimsSue.htm

Contact:

IN HONOLULU Joelle Casteix, SNAP Western Regional Director, (949) 322-7434, [email protected]

Barb Dorris, SNAP Outreach Director, (314) 503-0003, [email protected]