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  Clergy Sex Victims Blast New Ruling Re Ct Predator

SNAP
July 14, 2010

http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_statements/2010_statements/071410_clergy_sex_victims_blast_new_ruling_re_ct_predator.htm

Statement by David Clohessy, executive director of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-566-9790 cell, 314-645-5915 home)

This is a devastating ruling that we desperately hope will be overturned by a higher court.

Perlitz clearly exploited and assaulted extremely vulnerable and poor Haitian children. He’s a dangerous predator who belongs behind bars and will likely molest again if given the chance.

If prosecutors are unable to or unsuccessful in appealing this tragic ruling, there’s still one hope – that others who saw, suspected or suffered any crimes by Perlitz in the US will step forward. We strongly suspect there are kids who were assaulted by Perlitz in America who fall within the statute of limitations and could pursue criminal charges against him here. We pray that those victims, along with any witnesses or whistleblowers, will find the courage to get help, call police, expose wrong-doers, protect others and start healing.

And every adult who has spent any time near Perlitz has a moral duty to ask children they know if Perlitz ever hurt one of them. This kind of compassionate outreach is always good. Given today’s ruling, it now becomes critical.

(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world's oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We've been around for 22 years and have more than 9,000 members across the globe. 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)

Contacts: David Clohessy (314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915 home), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell)

http://www.courant.com/community/new-haven/hc-ap-ct-haitischoolassauljul14,0,7388833.story

Judge dismisses charges in Haiti sex abuse case

Associated Press -1:01 p.m. EDT, July 14, 2010

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A federal judge in Connecticut has dismissed charges against a man accused of sexually abusing boys at a school in Haiti, saying he can't be prosecuted in Connecticut.

U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven approved Douglas Perlitz's motion to dismiss the case Wednesday. She ruled that the Constitution and federal rules prohibit the government from prosecuting Perlitz in Connecticut because the alleged crimes didn't occur in the state.

The former Connecticut resident, now of Eagle, Colo., was accused of enticing children at the Project Pierre Toussaint school in Cap-Haitien into sex acts by promising them food, shelter and other items. He pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors, who opposed Perlitz's motion to dismiss, are reviewing Wednesday's ruling.

 
 

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