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	Police Chief Expresses Concern over Catholic Diocese Policy By Chris Baylor WEAU February 5, 2010 http://www.weau.com/news/headlines/83695622.html [with video] EAU CLAIRE (WI) -- A local police chief and the Catholic diocese are at odds over what the chief says is a policy the diocese should change. Eau Claire Police Chief Jerry Matysik says the La Crosse Diocese, which covers 19 counties in the area, used an advertisement to advise victims of sexual assault that they should report it to the bishop first but he says abuse victims need to contact police. Matysik is speaking out to a state senator in a letter dated January 22nd, Matysik says the Catholic Times Newspaper from the La Crosse Diocese continues to advise victims of sexual abuse to report cases to church leaders. "As a police chief I don't want area Catholics to report sexual abuse crimes to church officials they should report those crimes to the police," says Chief Matysik. He says it's a simple change. "Instead of publicly encouraging members of the local Catholic churches in the diocese to report directly to the organization it's self, I would like them to instead publish a notice that those reports of sexual abuse should be reported to the civil authorities or the police," says Matysik. In the letter, Matysik points out testimony last month from Archbishop Jerome Listecki to a Senate Committee. Matysik says Listecki's statements that those advertisements are not happening now is quote: "untruthful." The La Crosse Diocese's Attorney James Birnbaum tells us it's outrageous that Matysik thinks Listecki lied to the senate. He says Matysik is the only one who's complained. A doctor of psychology at UW-Eau Claire says no matter if the victim tells police or the diocese, it's hard for them to get up the courage to talk about the sexual assault. "It's difficult for them sometimes to even label it a sexual assault because it gets confusing if it's someone they know and there are public ramifications if it's someone in their circle of friends or family," says Susan Turell. The diocese's attorney sent us letters between Matysik and Listecki. They show Matysik complaining about the policy. Listecki said it is not a substitute for mandatory reporting. Listecki says the diocese policies require that they report and cooperate with law enforcement. The La Crosse Diocese is waiting for a new bishop to be appointed. Listecki was promoted to Archbishop in Milwaukee. Contact: chris.baylor@weau.com
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