The ability to interact with others while remaining anonymous is important in a number of settings. Those seeking help with alcohol or drug addiction recognized the importance of anonymity decades ago. Many other support groups have since adopted similar policies. We are currently living in an age when anonymity can be hard to ensure. But […]
Several of our recent posts have discussed the critically acclaimed movie “Spotlight,” which tells the true story of Boston Globe reporters who brought international attention to the problem of clergy sexual abuse. The reaction (to the movie) from the public has been overwhelmingly positive. But among leaders within the Catholic Church, reactions have been mixed. […]
Earlier this week, we began a discussion about the movie “Spotlight,” which has earned numerous accolades and is nominated for several Oscars. It tells the story of a small group of reporters from the Boston Globe who publicly exposed one of the Catholic Church’s biggest and darkest secrets. Institutional complicity was a major theme of the movie. […]
We are now in the midst of “awards season,” when the film and television industries are honored for their best works and their brightest stars. Although not everyone is a fan of awards shows, many Americans have been pleased to hear about the accolades one film has been earning. The movie “Spotlight” and its cast […]
It has been nearly five years since the American public first heard about Jerry Sandusky’s horrible crimes against children. As new information was revealed and investigations were conducted, it became clear that Sandusky’s pattern of sexual abuse was allowed to continue for so long because Penn State officials turned a blind eye. There were several […]
In one of our posts last week, we wrote about an unfolding story in the Midwest involving a former Catholic archbishop. Although the incident did not happen here in Pennsylvania, similar incidents have happened here and in many other parts of the country. In mid 2015, John Nienstedt resigned as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese […]
Marci Hamilton, counsel for deceased sexual abuse victim Sean McIlmail in his estate’s wrongful-death claim, believes that the ruling for transparency by Common Pleas Court Judge Mark I. Bernstein is a first in priest sex-abuse filings against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. This ruling allows for the public disclosure of some case related information that the […]
One of the factors that often work against victims of sexual abuse is delayed reporting. Victims who were abused as children sometimes stay silent for years before finally coming forward. In both criminal and civil trials, jurors are sometimes confused or skeptical when they hear that the alleged victim took so long to report the […]
There are many youth organizations that once enjoyed stellar reputations that have since been tarnished. One of the most prominent examples is the Boy Scouts of America. Rather than instilling positive moral values in boys and young men, the BSA has been accused of allowing scouts to be molested and sexually abused by pedophiles working […]
We have previously written about the use of therapy dogs in court. For victims of sexual abuse – especially child victims – a trained canine companion can provide much-needed comfort and a sense of stability during what is often a traumatic experience. Therapy dogs are coming into wider use in courtrooms here in Pennsylvania and […]