NY- Camp Counter-Sues Parents of Molested Child for Defamation

For immediate release: Monday, March 10, 2014

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected])

A World of Discovery Day Camp employee was found guilty of sexually molesting a 12-year old boy. But camp officials are now suing the parents of the victimized boy for defamation.

As child sexual abuse victims, we in SNAP find it disheartening and sad that this family, which has already been through so much pain, is now being caused more torment by the World of Discovery Day Camp organization.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2014/03/camp_sues_parents_of_molested_boy_defamation.php

These compassionate parents want to warn other families about what happened to their child and give voice to those who as yet have not come forward. (This began when the parents of the boy and their friends began handing out a flyer hoping to warn others.) Now the camp is apparently trying to quiet their voices.

We hope anyone who saw, suspected or suffered misdeeds by Joseph Denice or any camp employee, will step forward, get help, call police, protect others and start healing.

We also hope that World of Discovery Day camp will act responsibly, help educate parents and withdraw this counter-suit.

We applaud this brave young boy for coming forward and seeking justice. Every time child sex abuse victims find the courage to speak up, kids become safer and truth becomes revealed. We further support his family for trying to educate other parents and encourage World of Discovery Day Camp to do the right thing and join with the family in attempting to help any possible past victims who haven't come forward.

(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 12,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)

Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected])