‘Dozens and dozens’ of calls to abuse hotline

By Neil Pang
Guam Daily Post
April 25, 2017

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/dozens-and-dozens-of-calls-to-abuse-hotline/article_462756c6-28c3-11e7-91db-fbca9b06b8f7.html

HOPE AND HEALING: Director Mike Caspino of the Hope and Healing program speaks during a press conference to announce Alicia Limtiaco, left, as chairperson of the Hope and Healing board at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa Sunday, April 23. Photo by David Castro

"We received dozens and dozens of phone calls." – Mike Caspino, director, Hope and Healing program

The director of a recently created program to promote hope and healing for multiple victims of child sex abuse at the hands of Guam priests decades ago reported the program's hotline has received numerous calls since its inception two weeks ago.

"We received dozens and dozens of phone calls," Mike Caspino told The Guam Daily Post.

While the newly appointed director of the Hope and Healing program said he is bound by confidentiality restrictions, Caspino reported the hotline aimed at providing victims easy access to healing resources has received "well over 50" calls.

Victims' attorney expresses doubt

Though the Archdiocese of Agana's effort at providing help and a listening ear to victims of child sex abuse is still in its early stages, counsel for more than 40 of the victims so far has expressed doubt as to the sincerity of the church's efforts.

According to Post files, attorney David Lujan has previously questioned the sincerity of the archdiocese's efforts through the Hope and Healing program, in part because Caspino is closely tied to the church. Lujan also questioned why the archdiocese is asking the court to dismiss the cases filed by the victims, mostly altar boys, some of whom were also exposed to abuse when they were Boy Scouts members.

Following a scheduling conference for six of the cases filed at the start of this year, Lujan commented on the recent appointment of former U.S. Attorney Alicia Limtiaco, to head the Hope and Healing board.

"I think that's real smart on the part of Mr. Caspino – he's trying to hustle me," Lujan told the media.

In response to Lujan's comments, Caspino told the Post he was "very happy that Mr. Lujan thinks it was a smart move," and added that he was looking forward to working with Lujan going into the future.

Attorney Patrick Civille, who was recently retained by Guam's chapter of the Boy Scouts of America, told media yesterday that he felt like the Hope and Healing program "sounds like a good goal."

"I think everybody supports the idea of promoting healing, (but) I haven't had any contact with them," he said.