IOWA
Press-Citizen
By Kristen Schorsch
Iowa City Press-Citizen
A Tipton priest will take the reins of a new support group for victims of religious sexual abuse.
Called Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, the group, targeting people in southeast Iowa, will first meet Friday during a sexual abuse conference in Iowa City.
The Rev. David Hitch, of St. Mary's Church in Tipton, said his goals for the group were to facilitate and encourage victims and their families to talk about their abuse. They also will discuss how to hold the church accountable for priest abuse.
"People started hearing that I was a compassionate person who was being an advocate for those who had been abused by priests," said Hitch, 64. "There is a need to have a support group in this area."
His brother, Michael, 51, was abused by their priest during grade school and high school and told Hitch about two years ago of the abuse.