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Lawyer for Sex Abuse Survivors Reacts to Catholic Church Investigation

By Jasmine Ramirez
KMIZ TV
September 13, 2019

https://www.abc17news.com/news/lawyer-for-sex-abuse-survivors-reacts-to-catholic-church-investigation/1120766351

A lawyer who represents sexual abuse survivors within the Catholic Church reacted Friday to the Missouri attorney general's investigation.

Attorney General Eric Schmitt is referring a dozen former clergy members for potential criminal prosecution.

The 13-month investigation looked at religious leaders within the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the dioceses of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Springfield-Cape Girardeau and Jefferson City.

Richard Serbin, a lawyer at Janet, Janet & Suggs LLC, has worked with survivors of sexual abuse for more than three decades.

"I've been handling child sexual abuse cases involving the clergy since 1987," Serbin said.

The investigation, released Friday, accused 163 clergy members of sexual abuse or misconduct. Eighty are still alive, and the statute of limitations has run out for many of the alleged crimes.

Serbin said the statute of limitations can make prosecution difficult.

"They escape punishment, and of course the longer they're able to go, the more children that are violated," he said.

A lawyer who represents sexual abuse survivors within the Catholic Church reacted Friday to the Missouri attorney general's investigation.

Attorney General Eric Schmitt is referring a dozen former clergy members for potential criminal prosecution.

The 13-month investigation looked at religious leaders within the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the dioceses of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Springfield-Cape Girardeau and Jefferson City.

Richard Serbin, a lawyer at Janet, Janet & Suggs LLC, has worked with survivors of sexual abuse for more than three decades.

"I've been handling child sexual abuse cases involving the clergy since 1987," Serbin said.

The investigation, released Friday, accused 163 clergy members of sexual abuse or misconduct. Eighty are still alive, and the statute of limitations has run out for many of the alleged crimes.

Serbin said the statute of limitations can make prosecution difficult.

"They escape punishment, and of course the longer they're able to go, the more children that are violated," he said.

 

 

 

 

 




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