BishopAccountability.org
	Dubuque Archdiocese Policy on Abuse Offends Victim Advocates KWQC [Des Moines IA] June 12, 2005 DES MOINES, Iowa Victim advocates say they are offended by policy changes made by the Dubuque Catholic Archdiocese. The changes make it optional to report allegations of child sexual abuse by clergy to authorities outside the church. The archdiocese review board says the changes were needed because some victims would not come forward if they knew the case would be reported to civil authorities. Diocese spokeswoman Joyce Connors says victims fearing their case would be made public were hesitant to report the abuse. She says the changes were made out of respect to those who only wanted church officials to hear their complaints. Under the new policy the statue of limitations must have expired in complaints filed by adults who reported abuse as a child and the individual must sign a request that the case not be reported. David Clohessy, director of the Survivors Network of those Abuse by Priests says it is disturbing to see church officials backpedaling on the issue. He says calling the police in cases of abuse is something children are taught to do since grade school.
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