CHICAGO (IL)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priestsv
Victims want more prosecution efforts
For immediate release Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Statement by Kate Botche, SNAP member from Joliet, IL (630-768-1860, keight@sbcglobal.net)
We are here to call on every Chicagoland law enforcement agency within the boundaries of the Chicago archdiocese to simply try harder to pursue Catholic staff who commit and conceal child sex crimes.
Why?
Because Catholic officials can’t police themselves.
Because few of the 121 publicly accused Chicago predator priests are behind bars.
Because none of the hundreds of complicit church supervisors have ever even been charged.
Because many of the predators now live and work among unsuspecting families and co-workers.
Because some of them have moved or been sent out of Chicago to prey on other children.
And because until complicit church supervisors and co-workers are punished for covering up child sex crimes and held accountable in the future, they will continue to cover up child sex crimes.
Law enforcement officials must take these steps.
First, scour these 6,000 pages of newly-released records looking for opportunities to file charges against anyone.
Second, help victims pressure the archdiocese to turn over records, right now, of the other proven, admitted and credibly accused child molesting clerics (whether living or dead, archdiocesan or religious order).
Third, where possible, launch grand jury investigations into this scandal.
Fourth, use their bully pulpits to beg victims, witnesses and whistleblowers to step forward, especially current and former church employees.
Fifth, be more creative about pursuing ANY charges against the hierarchy, whether it’s perjury, endangering kids, committing fraud, obstructing justice, destroying evidence, tampering with witnesses, or failing to report known or suspected child sex crimes to secular authorities.
Sixth, use their clout to reform Illlinois’ archaic, predator-friendly statutes of limitations and other laws that make prosecution of complicit employers difficult (like RICO).
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