CO - Victims praise prosecutors in Boulder church abuse case

For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013

Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]

We are deeply grateful to Boulder authorities for charging two church staff and two church officials with “duty to report child abuse.”

http://www.9news.com/news/article/363148/339/PD-Church-officials-delayed-reporting-sex-assault

http://www.dailycamera.com/longmont-news/ci_24466021/boulder-police-ticket-vinelife-church-officials-failing-report

All too often, church employees and members selfishly try to handle known or suspected child sex crimes privately. All too often, they foolishly put the reputation of their institution above the well-being of the innocent. 

And all too often, prosecutors go after the "low hanging fruit" - the child molester himself or herself, and they turn a blind eye to the "enablers" - the church colleagues who ignored or hid suspicions or knowledge of the horror.

If kids are to be protected from predators, we must aggressively report and pursue every single adult who refused to call 911 at the first hint of possible child sex crimes.

We can deter cover ups. We can prevent abuse. We can stop a child molester after his or her third victim, instead of after his or her 33rd victim. 

But only if we severely punish every grown up who stays silent about abuse and puts his or her personal comfort above the physical safety of children.

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])


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