Survivor Released from Confidentiality Agreement, SNAP Responds

SNAP
June 6, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/nj_survivor_released_from_confidentiality_agreement_snap_responds

A New Jersey clergy sex abuse victim has essentially won his lawsuit which frees him from a church-imposed gag order. He is to be commended. We are grateful for this brave victim who has tirelessly worked to expose the truth and protect children.

And Catholic officials at Delbarton School should be ashamed of themselves.

[nj.com]

William P. Wolfe was sexually abused by Fr. Timothy Brennan at Delbarton school. Brennan later plead guilty to child sexual abuse. Wolfe signed a confidentially agreement with the school, which prevented him from healing, exposing the truth and helping to prevent future abuse.

Confidentially agreements put children at risk. Victims are often manipulated into signing them when they are at one of their most vulnerable moments. We are glad Wolfe was released from his. And we are grateful Wolfe has reached out to other victims through his newspaper interview. We hope others gain courage from him and work to expose the truth and start healing, especially those who are suffering because of child sexual violence, officials' betrayals and awful gag orders.

Finally, we hope Delbarton officials withdraw their mean-spirited lawsuit against Wolfe's attorney Greg Gianforcaro.