Victims See Four “positives” in Prep School Rapist’s Jailing

SNAP
March 18, 2016

http://www.snapnetwork.org/

Three ex-leaders of a Franciscan religious order were charged Tuesday with allowing a friar who was a known sexual predator to take on jobs, including a position as a high school athletic trainer, that enabled him to molest more than 100 children.

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home,davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

We are grateful that Owen Labrie is behind bars and believe his probation violation may have three positive impacts.

[Portland Press Herald]

First, we hope Labrie’s jailing will prod law enforcement officials to look more often and more closely at other sex offenders and whether they are honoring their parole or probation requirements. Many sex offenders are narcissistic and believe, deep down, that “the rules” don’t really apply to them. So many of them, we fear, are ignoring those restrictions and getting by with it. This case should encourage police and prosecutors to more closely monitor sex offenders and take advantage of chances to revoke their probation or parole.

Second, we hope Labrie’s jailing will bring some comfort to the thousands of victims of sexual violence whose perpetrators are on probation or parole. There’s always a chance that rapists or molesters can be imprisoned if they’re caught overstepping their boundaries, as they are sadly wont to do.

Third, we believe Labrie’s jailing will bring some consolation to his victim and her family.

Finally, we are confident that Labrie’s jailing makes women safer.