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	Nun Sexual Abuse Victims Picket in Maryland ABC 7 August 10, 2009 http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0809/648351.html SILVER SPRING, Md. - While many people have heard about allegations of sexual abuse by priests, a local group is now saying children have also been victimized by Catholic nuns. As with priests, the abuse generally occurred decades ago and while the vast majority of nuns are good, dedicated women, abuse victims say they should be investigated and held accountable just like priests. A small group of those who say they survived sex abuse by nuns picketed the Silver Spring office of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. Mary Guentner says her high school teacher abused her for years. "[She] worked up to kissing me on the cheek, worked up to kissing me on the mouth, and then worked up to undressing me and touching me all over the place," Guernter said. Steve Theisen was in fourth grade when his abuse began. "I think there's a fine line why I'm not in jail and I think there's a fine line why I'm not dead. The depression is overwhelming," he said. There are no accurate statistics of abuse by Women Religious, although at least two nuns have been criminally charged, including Sister Norma Giannini who was jailed last year for having sex with middle school boys in Milwaukee 40 years ago. The priest abuse crisis led to a national conference in Dallas and established procedures for reporting and treating abuse. But there is nothing comparable for nuns -- although the LCWR, which is not a policing agency, has said, "We abhor the behaviors of perpetrators' and victims need to approach the individual religious congregation involved (where) true healing can begin." Those like Sister Mary Berchmans of D.C. who've dedicated their whole life to service, say abuse is a basic breach of vows. "Our whole mission is to help young people grow in wholesome ways," she said. "And it does make me very sad to think this may be happening or have happened." While abuse by nuns is perhaps a rarity, it's enough to leave lifelong scars on its victims.
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