By Chris Daines
Orange County Register
March 9, 2009
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/fliers-victims-school-2330071-abuse-church
DANA POINT – Victims of sexual abuse passed out fliers today to parents picking up their children from classes at St. Edward the Confessor Parish School, telling them that abusers had worked at the church.
"Our mission is to make sure it doesn't happen to others," said Long Beach resident Vicky Martin, who said she was abused by a priest in San Bernardino.
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| Tim Quinn, middle school dean at St. Edward the Confessor Parish School in Dana Point, speaks with members of Survivors Network of Those Abused By Priests. The women were in front of the school handing information about sexual abuse to parents picking up their children from school Monday. Photo by Chris Daines |
A group of five women, members of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, forcefully and apologetically passed out fliers that outlined news articles of past events.
In 2002, the Rev. Denis Lyons was placed on leave for two months before retiring amid accusations of molestation. Lyons had been a priest at St. Edward since 1996.
Priest John Lenihan was removed after he admitted to molesting a minor. St. Edwards credits Lenihan with helping to renovate the church and expand the school.
Joelle Casteix, southwest regional director for SNAP, said handing out the fliers is the most effective way to reach possible victims of sexual abuse.
She claimed some "especially young" children at St. Edward had been targeted – "kids who are now in eighth grade."
"Parents may have children attending this school now whose brothers and sisters may be victims," Casteix said.
The fliers encouraged parents to talk with their children about sexual abuse and to contact law enforcement if it happens.
Middle school dean Tim Quinn asked the women if they could inform people in a different way besides handing out fliers in front of the church property, saying the people at the school and church now had nothing to do with Lenihan or Lyons.
Casteix said the group's efforts to approach possible victims through the Diocese of Orange have been blocked and that the fliers have had success in finding victims of abuse.
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