Advocates Decry Diocese's Consideration of Accusers" Reputations

By Danae King
Columbus Dispatch
March 5, 2019

https://www.dispatch.com/news/20190305/advocates-decry-dioceses-consideration-of-accusers-reputations-as-sickening

Victim advocates say the fact that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus considers an accuser’s reputation when determining the credibility of sexual abuse allegations against clergy is “atrocious” and comes across as victim blaming.

“That’s sickening ... Who do they think they are?” asked Judy Jones, Midwest regional director for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP). “So many victims, they’re struggling, they’re going through so many things.”

The Columbus Diocese said it included the accuser’s reputation as one of about eight factors when creating a list released Friday of 34 clergy members who had been “credibly accused” of sexually abusing children “because reputation for truthfulness is often considered in evaluating any claim.”

“No one factor is determinative,” the diocese said in a letter on its website attached to the list.

On Tuesday, the diocese added the names of two additional priests ­ Monsignor Robert A. Brown, who was on the Diocese of Steubenville’s list and is accused of abuse outside the Columbus diocese, and Father John J. Ryan, who was accused after his death and after the list was released Friday ­ to the list. Both are deceased.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, who has no jurisdiction over criminal sexual abuse cases, said he was displeased that the diocese would use such a factor.

“You don’t start with a person’s reputation” in investigating a matter, but first search for corroborating evidence and witnesses, Yost said. “When you initially screen complaints of sexual predation, it’s critical not to disbelieve the victim.”

Yost, who was Delaware County prosecutor for eight years, said he knows sexual predators may choose victims who have other issues, like mental problems or other vulnerabilities. They can be “people who might not be believed in the first instance,” he said.

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien, who does have jurisdiction over criminal sexual abuse cases, cited state shield laws when asked about the diocese considering an accuser’s reputation, but didn’t comment directly on the diocesan process. Shield laws say other allegations of misconduct by the victim are irrelevant to an investigation or court proceeding.