SPRINGFIELD (MA)
The Republican
May 2, 2019
By Patrick Johnson
The creation two months ago of a telephone hot line to report sexual abuse by clergy has received several tips from callers that are being checked out, but so far no new charges, according to the office of Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni.
Gulluni issued a statement on Thursday that said that since the hotline was launched Feb. 26, several people have called it. The statement did not specify a number.
He thanked those who have called the hotline number, and encouraged those who have information on clergy abuse to call as well.
“We understand the resilience it takes for victims to come forward and speak to their past suffering but even an old allegation that you think has gone unaddressed needs to be reviewed by law enforcement. We need to hear from you.”
Gulluni’s communications director James Leydon said that two of the state police detectives assigned to Gulluni’s office have been assigned to investigate allegations that come in through the tip line.
Several calls that have come in have resulted in the detectives actively pursuing follow-up conversations, but so far none of the information has led to the any new charges or arrests, Leydon said.
Gulluni launched the hotline as a result of what he called dissatisfaction with the “inconsistency in reporting” of clergy sexual abuse by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield.
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