News… Court overturns $35 million sex abuse verdict against Jehovah’s Witnesses 10 Jan 202027 Jan 2020 In the ruling, justices cited a state law that says religious leaders do not have to report confidential child abuse allegations to authorities. BILLINGS, Mont. — The Montana Supreme Court…
Clergy… MT court reverses $35M Jehovah’s Witness case 8 Jan 202027 Jan 2020 The Jehovah's Witnesses of Thompson Falls, as well as its national headquarters, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, failed to protect one of its members from child sexual abuse, a…
Catholic Church… A bill in the Utah State Legislature removes ‘priest-penitent’ privilege when it comes to child abuse 7 Jan 202027 Jan 2020 SALT LAKE CITY -- A bill made public ahead of the 2020 legislative session would remove the "priest-penitent" privilege when it comes to reporting abuse cases. House Bill 90, sponsored…
News… Montana victims alleging sex abuse in the Boy Scouts join national wave of suits 8 Nov 201918 Nov 2019 Amid a flurry of lawsuits filed across the nation against the Boy Scouts of America alleging sexual abuse of young Scouts, a national group of attorneys is gearing up to…
Investigations… ‘I Want to Be Heard’: Adult Sex-Abuse Victims Demand New Rights [NYT] 25 Oct 20191 Nov 2019 For more info click on link
Amish… The limits of religious freedom: America must come to grips with when faith groups limit personal liberty 19 Oct 20191 Nov 2019 When Pastor Robert Jeffress, a member of President Trump’s Evangelical Advisory Board and the White House Faith Initiative, recently dismissed climate activist Greta Thunberg by saying that rainbows are evidence…
Legislation… Long-ignored sex abuse claims leave Pennsylvania lawmakers grappling with fairness for alleged victims, institutions 9 Oct 201918 Oct 2019 Pennsylvania lawmakers may follow in other states' footsteps and allow sexual assault victims to sue their abusers years after the assault happened and remove the statute of limitations on prosecutions.…
Clergy… The grooming of children for sexual abuse in religious settings: Unique characteristics and select case studies 4 Oct 201918 Oct 2019 Abstract This article examines the sexual grooming of children and their caregivers in a wide variety of religious settings. We argue that unique aspects of religion facilitate institutional and interpersonal…
Catholic Church… The Catholic Church and Boy Scouts are lobbying against child abuse statutes. This is their playbook 2 Oct 201918 Oct 2019 Pennsylvania state Rep. Tom Murt slid into a pew at his childhood church, seeking a break from politics and the stress of work. Instead, Murt got an earful. In his sermon, the…
Catholic Church… NY Diocese Files for Bankruptcy in Light of Misconduct Suits 19 Sep 201918 Oct 2019 Rochester is the state's first to seek court protection. It may not be the last (BUFFALO, N.Y.) — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester was the first in New York…
Jehovah's Witnesses… Groundbreaking Lawsuits Claim Jehovah’s Witnesses Covered Up Years of Child Sexual Abuse – Newsweek 13 Aug 201918 Oct 2019 Two lawsuits being filed this week are targeting the leadership of the Jehovah's Witnesses for what the plaintiffs claim is a history of child sexual abuse. Heather Steele, 48, and…
Investigations… Silent No More: Allegations of sexual abuse, cover-ups inside Jehovah’s Witnesses Organization 12 Aug 201918 Oct 2019 Yearlong investigation finds allegations of sexual abuse, cover-ups inside Jehovah’s Witnesses Organization. Part 1 of 3: "The Survivors" WASHINGTON —A year-long investigation by the Hearst Television National Investigative Unit has…
Investigations… Nearly 800 accuse Boy Scouts of failing to protect them from sex abuse as new lawsuit is filed 5 Aug 201918 Oct 2019 Dozens of cases reviewed by USA TODAY suggest the Boy Scouts of America overlooked signs of abuse. Source: USA Today. Nearly 800 accuse Boy Scouts of failing to protect them…
Legislation… New child protection laws in Tennessee go into effect July 1; Statute of Limitations 16 Jul 201918 Oct 2019 TENNESSEE (WJHL) – Several new laws aiming to protect children from sexual predators and human trafficking are set to take effect July 1 in Tennessee. The laws include major legislation…
