NORWICH, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - The devastating impacts of child sex abuse by priests can last a lifetime, and victims need more support, according to about a dozen people at a rally arranged by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP).
They gathered on a sunny Thursday afternoon outside St. Patrick's Cathedral in Norwich, with several issues in mind, including:
--They're critical of the Norwich Diocese for filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, as it faces dozens of victims' lawsuits. Kathryn Robb, Executive Director of Child USAdvocacy, explains that federal bankruptcy law isn't intended to bail out organizations like the Catholic Church.
"(Chapter 11) is not a clearinghouse for a cover-up of child sexual abuse," says Robb. "It was established to help businesses that are failing, not organizations and institutions that have failed children."
When it filed for bankruptcy in July, the diocese issued a statement, saying, "By filing for bankruptcy relief, the Diocese is seeking to ensure a fair and equitable outcome for everyone involved. That is because the bankruptcy court will centralize all litigation and oversee a settlement that ensures that all survivors are included and treated fairly."
--They're also concerned that Connecticut has not acted to eliminate its statute of limitations in sexual abuse cases, preventing some victims from pursuing lawsuits.
"Really, Connecticut needs to change," says Robb. "They need to move forward. They are way behind, way in the back of the class on this issue. We have 25 states that have passed revival or window legislation. Unfortunately, they (CT legislators) have not done their homework. They really have to respond to move themselves from the back of the class to the front."
