SNAP Calls Attorney's Comments Insensitive to Victims

For immediate release:
Friday, December 10, 2004

For more information:
Landa Mauriello-Vernon, SNAP CT Director, 203-687-8072 cell

Victims Group Wants Archdiocesan "Due Diligence" Policy Continued
Protection of Children Most Important Consideration

SNAP Calls Attorney's Comments Insensitive to Victims

Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, are dismayed by a statement made by a New Haven attorney representing a priest accused of having an improper relationship with a woman he was counseling. Attorney Hugh Keefe is worried that priests are not receiving due process when accused of a crime and that some priests ".feel betrayed and not backed up by the hierarchy of the church," Keefe is quoted as saying in today's New Haven Register.

Complete article text posted at: http://www.snap.org/news/news_20041210a.htm

SNAP believes that due process is very important, but of equal importance is the concept of "due diligence". When church personnel are accused of sexual abuse it is imperative that church officials take the very basic precautionary step of removing the accused from duties that would place him in contact with children or vulnerable adults. It is the prudent thing to do until the facts can be sorted out and a determination of innocence or guilt can be made.

Most school districts have similar policies when accusations are made against teachers, coaches, etc. Parents expect their children to be protected and it is no different when it comes to members of the church.

Another quote by attorney Keefe in today's Register, "There is nothing worse than child molestation except to be falsely accused of child molestation," is also of great concern to SNAP leaders. Obviously, Keefe has never experienced child molestation, or it is unlikely he would make such an outrageous claim. For victims of child molestation is not only insensitive, it only rubs salt into already open wounds.

Given the pain victims have experienced and the public safety crisis of the horrific crime of sexual abuse of children, it would be better that we focus our efforts on protecting children today. Provocative statements do not help keep kids safe.