Diocese of Helena Goes After Parents of Sex Abuse Victim in Public Spat
Catholic officials from the Diocese of Helena, Montana, have responded to an abuse lawsuit by trying to shift the focus onto the victims instead of the alleged abusers, using public statements to “out” the family filing the lawsuit. We call on Diocesan leaders to defend themselves in real court instead of trying to use the court of public opinion to shame and scare those who are bringing allegations forward.
The lawsuit involves the alleged abuse and grooming by a husband and wife duo from Butte Central High School, a Catholic school that falls under the purview of the Diocese of Helena. The couple was living on the campus. The wife was charged criminally in late December for allegedly providing alcohol and marijuana to two minors at Central last year. The husband, a teacher, is now on leave from the school.
It is disturbing to us that Catholic officials in Helena would rather attack claimants publicly instead of investigating and getting to the bottom of the allegations against Brad and Amy Kadrmas. We believe that by attempting to focus public attention on the plaintiffs, Diocesan leaders are trying to scare others who may have been hurt into staying silent.
Catholic officials in Helena should instead focus on the internal issues that have allowed this lawsuit to be filed in the first place. Rather than attempt to drive victims underground, Diocesan leaders should be pulling out all the stops to investigate these claims and bring others who were hurt forward. That they are instead choosing to fight the plaintiffs in the media is yet another example that Catholic officials care more about their money and reputations than they do the protection of children.
CONTACT: Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director (517-974-9009, [email protected])
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director