DES MOINES (IA)
KWQC
DES MOINES, Iowa Victim advocates say they are offended by policy changes made by the Dubuque Catholic Archdiocese.
The changes make it optional to report allegations of child sexual abuse by clergy to authorities outside the church.
The archdiocese review board says the changes were needed because some victims would not come forward if they knew the case would be reported to civil authorities.
Diocese spokeswoman Joyce Connors says victims fearing their case would be made public were hesitant to report the abuse.
She says the changes were made out of respect to those who only wanted church officials to hear their complaints.
Posted by kshaw at June 12, 2005 06:34 AM