Posts by Sol Reform

6

Free 'child abuse tips' for Jehovah Witness legal team.

by Sol Reform in

http://merrittwatsonlaw.com/blog/no-leaders-are-above-justice-in-abuse-cases/ .

posted on july 6, 2012 by stanshinn.

two recent high-profile sex abuse trials have ended with landmark rulings.

Sol Reform

http://merrittwatsonlaw.com/blog/no-leaders-are-above-justice-in-abuse-cases/

No Leaders Are Above Justice in Abuse Cases

Posted on July 6, 2012 by stanshinn

Two recent high-profile sex abuse trials have ended with landmark rulings. Society has spoken clearly: neither public figures or church leaders are above justice when crimes against children are involved.

First, serial pedophile Jerry Sandusky was convicted on 45 of the 48 charges brought against him. The famous former assistant football coach at Penn State was charged with molesting and raping at least 10 boys over a period of years. While many of Sandusky's friends defended this sports leader when the scandal first hit, victims of many abusers nationwide can now find some catharsis from the justice served in such a public case.

Second, a jury ruled that Monsignor William Lynn was guilty of child endangerment, making him the first U.S. church official convicted for covering up abuse claims. This Roman Catholic church leader now faces 3 1/2 to 7 years in prison for his part in endangering a boy who was sexually assaulted by a Roman Catholic priest in 1999.

What makes both these cases so notable is that they collectively demonstrate a shift both in society's awareness and in the court's actions. Increasingly our society is willing to see justice served despite the immunities often enjoyed by celebrity figures and church leaders - two groups which often have gained unfair exemptions in the court of public opinion.

Historically, religious leaders have been fond of citing 1st Amendment rights to claim immunity from prosecution in abuse cases. In the Monsignor Lynn case, the court did not buy this tired argument. Religious officials in all faith communities are expected to take reasonable action to protect children, including the often ignored mandate to report sexual abuse claims to law enforcement.

Sadly, church leaders often choose to protect predator priests while scorning abuse victims and marginalizing those who speak out about sex crimes inside the church.

Church leaders need to take three simple, proven steps to prevent abuse and help heal those already abused:

First, report all abuse claims to law enforcement.
Second, stop supporting predators and remove all credibly accused clergy from positions of trust.
Third, aggressively reach out to anyone who may have been victimized and offer them help.

A new day is dawning for abuse victims. Anyone who has seen, suspected, or suffered clergy abuse crimes should come forward, get help and call the police. Public figures and church leaders have no immunity; justice and healing are now a real possibility for abuse survivors.

____

Stan Shinn

Stan Shinn holds two theology degrees, edits an Orthodox News website at http://orthodoxbeacon.com and worships at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas, TX. His email is [email protected].

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21

Hawaiian Victims of childhood sexual abuse

by Sol Reform in

'hawaiian victims of childhood sexual abuse' - in april of 2014 your two-year window to file a civil action will end.. .

hawaii recently enacted a new law that allows victims of childhood sexual abuse a two-year window to file a civil action-even if in the past you were told that, because of a statute of limitations, you couldn't.

.

Sol Reform

http://imtp.me/3ob401sho.p

21

Hawaiian Victims of childhood sexual abuse

by Sol Reform in

'hawaiian victims of childhood sexual abuse' - in april of 2014 your two-year window to file a civil action will end.. .

hawaii recently enacted a new law that allows victims of childhood sexual abuse a two-year window to file a civil action-even if in the past you were told that, because of a statute of limitations, you couldn't.

.

Sol Reform

http://imtp.me/3oaw01sho.p

http://www.abusedinhawaii.com/

15

New Jersey residents - Can you help Jehovah Witness victims of Child Sex Abuse and Non Jehovah Witness victims in your state ?

by Sol Reform in

new jersey residents; - can you help jehovah witness victims of child sex abuse and non jehovah witness victims in your state ?.

click here to find your assemblyperson/senator.

it takes five minutes.

Sol Reform

http://imtp.me/3nuy01sho.p
http://www.app.com/article/20120820/NJNEWS1002/308200084
TRENTON - State senators might vote next month on a bill that eliminates the statute of limitations for suing in childhood sexual abuse cases, after the plan couldn't muster the needed support Monday.
The proposal would apply retroactively and could allow victims to seek monetary damages from entities such as the Catholic Church and nonprofits that negligently employed abusers.
Seven of the 40 senators were absent from Monday's rare summer voting session, and bill sponsor Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, said the bill didn't appear to have support from 21 of the senators present. He'll try again in September, when senators - including four Democrats Vitale hopes will back the bill - are back from vacation.
State law has already been changed to eliminate immunity from civil lawsuits related to child sexual abuse for charitable organizations. The new proposal would retroactively allow lawsuits for past incidents, which are currently subject to a two-year statute of limitations.
Vitale said it's not enough to change the law prospectively.
"It doesn't forgive the sins of the past, so we need to make sure that those victims who have not been able to gain access to the court because of an arbitrary number, because of the way the court rules are, have that access, no matter how old they are," Vitale said.
A group of more than a dozen supporters of the change had converged at the Statehouse to witness an expected victory, only to leave disappointed.
"We fully expect that this is going to continue. We're not defeated in any way possible," said Gregory Gianforcaro, an attorney who has represented more than 200 men and women who allege they were sexually abused as children in New Jersey.
"Certainly a bit disappointed it didn't happen today, but we're absolutely certain that this will get done. It needs to get done, and I think our lawmakers know," said Mark Crawford, a victims' advocate who was molested as a child.
"They're either going to choose to do the right thing and protect children, or they're going to choose to protect powerful institutions and the predators that are harming our children. That's the choice here. There's no other way to see it. The law needs to be fixed, and it will get fixed. I have no doubt," Crawford said.
Vitale said the bill did have support from some Republican senators.

15

New Jersey residents - Can you help Jehovah Witness victims of Child Sex Abuse and Non Jehovah Witness victims in your state ?

by Sol Reform in

new jersey residents; - can you help jehovah witness victims of child sex abuse and non jehovah witness victims in your state ?.

click here to find your assemblyperson/senator.

it takes five minutes.

Sol Reform

Legislation Would Alter Child Sex Abuse Civil Cases [AUDIO]By: Kevin McArdle | 6 hours agoToday, the New Jersey Senate is scheduled to vote on a bill that would completely remove the two-year statute of limitations for victims of child sexual abuse to file a civil suit against their molester or the religious, charitable or educational organization that may have enabled the abuse.

NJ Assembly Democrats FacebookOne of the measure's sponsors calls the two-year limit, "ridiculous" and "arbitrary."
State Senator Joe Vitale's bill would remove the statute of limitations on civil child sex abuse cases, expand who is potentially liable in these actions and provide that public entities would be liable. Under current law, a victim of child sexual abuse has two years from the time they reach adulthood or two years from the time they realize that they were sexually abused as a child to file a civil suit against their alleged abuser. The legislation would completely remove this statute of limitation both retroactively and in future cases.
"Expanding the statute of limitations on sexual abuse is imperative to providing justice for the victims of these heinous crimes," says Vitale. "The scars of sexual abuse do not heal easily, but hopefully, with time, compassion, counseling and a measure of justice, many of the victims will be able to get on with their lives. While a statute of limitations may make sense in certain civil cases, when it comes to the difficulty that victims endure to speak out about and seek justice for sexual abuse, they should be given a little more leeway. This bill makes sure that sexual abuse victims receive the time and patience needed for them to face their abusers in court."
The bill would also amend current law to make religious, charitable or educational organizations liable for sexual abuse, sexual assault or any crimes of the sexual nature. Currently, trustees, directors, officers, employees, agents, servants and volunteers of organizations are liable for sexual assault committed under their watch, but this legislation would expand this to the organizations themselves.
Vitale says, "This legislation is about making organizations responsible in their hiring and supervisory practices. If an organization has nothing to hide and has acted appropriately in these situations, they will have nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, there are organizations who must share in the responsibility of abuse since they did not properly respond to child sexual abuse allegations. These organizations must be held accountable."
New Jersey lifted the statute of limitations for criminal charges on child sexual abuse in 1996. In 2006, legislation sponsored by Senator Vitale removed civil immunity from charitable organizations that enabled sexual molestation of minors.
Alaska, Delaware, Florida and Maine have already abolished the statute of limitations for some if not all sexual abuse cases against minors. Many other states have extended the statute of limitations in these cases.

http://nj1015.com/legislation-would-alter-child-sex-abuse-civil-cases-audio/

15

New Jersey residents - Can you help Jehovah Witness victims of Child Sex Abuse and Non Jehovah Witness victims in your state ?

by Sol Reform in

new jersey residents; - can you help jehovah witness victims of child sex abuse and non jehovah witness victims in your state ?.

click here to find your assemblyperson/senator.

it takes five minutes.

Sol Reform

Vote scheduled for Monday 2pm! Call your Senators and tell them to vote YES on Bill #S1651, unchanged, for the protection of children!

21

Hawaiian Victims of childhood sexual abuse

by Sol Reform in

'hawaiian victims of childhood sexual abuse' - in april of 2014 your two-year window to file a civil action will end.. .

hawaii recently enacted a new law that allows victims of childhood sexual abuse a two-year window to file a civil action-even if in the past you were told that, because of a statute of limitations, you couldn't.

.

Sol Reform

'Hawaiian Victims of childhood sexual abuse' - in April of 2014 your two-year window to file a civil action will end.

Hawaii recently enacted a new law that allows victims of childhood sexual abuse a two-year window to file a civil action-even if in the past you were told that, because of a statute of limitations, you couldn't.

15

New Jersey residents - Can you help Jehovah Witness victims of Child Sex Abuse and Non Jehovah Witness victims in your state ?

by Sol Reform in

new jersey residents; - can you help jehovah witness victims of child sex abuse and non jehovah witness victims in your state ?.

click here to find your assemblyperson/senator.

it takes five minutes.

Sol Reform

New Jersey residents; - Can you help Jehovah Witness victims of Child Sex Abuse and Non Jehovah Witness victims in your state ?

Click here to find your assemblyperson/senator. It takes five minutes. If you call your assembly person, ask them how they will vote on Bill A2405. If you call your senator, simply ask how they with vote on Bill S1561. Ask them if they vote for or against child sex predators.

http://www.nj.com/parenting/index.ssf/2012/06/the_bill_that_supports_child_s.html

Find your Legislator here

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#22

8

Can you help Jehovah Witness child sex abuse victims in the State of Massachusetts ?

by Sol Reform in

can you help jehovah witness child sex abuse victims and non jehovah witness child sex abuse victims in the state of massachusetts ?

provide justice to child sex abuse survivors.

hold accountable the public and private institutions that enable, hide or abet child sexual abuse.. support h4326!

Sol Reform

Legislature postpones extending #SOL for child sex abuse.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/08/01/legislature-postpones-measure-extending-statute-limitations-for-child-sex-abuse-claims/vBYOt8ZUzURvK4tVLJB3OM/story.html?s_campaign=sm_twe.

8

Can you help Jehovah Witness child sex abuse victims in the State of Massachusetts ?

by Sol Reform in

can you help jehovah witness child sex abuse victims and non jehovah witness child sex abuse victims in the state of massachusetts ?

provide justice to child sex abuse survivors.

hold accountable the public and private institutions that enable, hide or abet child sexual abuse.. support h4326!

Sol Reform

Can you help Jehovah Witness child sex abuse victims and Non Jehovah Witness child sex abuse victims in the State of Massachusetts ?

Provide justice to child sex abuse survivors. Hold accountable the public and private institutions that enable, hide or abet child sexual abuse.

Support H4326!

http://www.mass.gov/legis/journal/desktop/Current%20Agenda%202011/H4326.pdf

http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H04326

Find your Representative here; to call and email.

http://www.malegislature.gov/People/House