OHIO
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Thursday, Dec 15, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)
We’re very disappointed that Ohio’s Supreme Court arbitrarily insists that damage caps apply even in horrific cases of child sexual abuse by clergy. Had the court sided with innocent kids and wounded victims, instead of with powerful employers, Ohio kids would be safer today. Instead, those kids are more vulnerable because those who ignore or hide child sex crimes have essentially gotten a reprieve from the state’s highest court.
Severe wrongdoing stops when wrongdoers are severely punished. But this ruling does just the opposite – it enshrines a clear, low ‘cap’ that will do little to prod wrongdoers to stop doing wrong.
So tomorrow, an Ohio cult could hire a convicted, serial child molester after his release from prison. No matter how egregiously they all act and no matter who’s hurt how much, the cult and its insurers would never have to pay more than $350,000. That’s shameful.
Ohio’s predator-friendly statute of limitations helps wrongdoers by giving them clarity – “all we have to do is hide these child sex crimes until the deadline for lawsuits elapse.” Now, this predator-friendly ruling also helps wrongdoers by giving them more clarity – “even if we’re caught, the most we’ll ever have to pay is $350,000.”
We hope Ohio lawmakers remedy both of these injustices, no matter how hard powerful institutions and lobbyists fight.
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