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	Trust Betrayed Once Again? Douglas Perlitzdouglas Perlitz - Sadly, Yet Another Mentor Might Have Abused Children in His Care Hartford Courant September 28, 2009 http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-more-sex-abuse.art.artsep28,0,1417993.story Society has learned the sad truth that sexual abuse of children by family members and trusted authority figures is far more common than anyone had imagined, as new cases continue to pile up. A recent shocking example is the indictment of a former Connecticut man who founded a residential charity for homeless boys in Haiti a decade ago. He now faces federal charges that he sexually molested the boys, plying them with money, cellphones and clothes to entice them "to comply with the sex acts," according to the indictment. If the charges prove true, then Douglas Perlitz, 39, will join a long list of priests, scout leaders and others who have sexually assaulted children in their care. Mr. Perlitz graduated from Fairfield University and raised millions of dollars from Connecticut donors for his Project Pierre Toussaint, a charity that provided food and shelter for street children as young as 6 beginning in 1997. When allegations of sexual abuse surfaced a year ago, funding dried up and the program collapsed. Warning signs apparently were ignored. An advocate for sexual-abuse victims visited the home in 2003 and became suspicious, but did not follow up. When volunteers asked Mr. Perlitz why boys slept in his bedroom, he allegedly replied that it was common in Haiti for children and adults to sleep together. Alarm bells should have gone off. The charity's directors also must have been asleep when they allowed Mr. Perlitz to manage all aspects of the project, including moving $2 million into a fund he controlled. If Mr. Perlitz is found guilty, it will be a major embarrassment for Fairfield University, which in 2002 awarded him an honorary degree for his work with Haitian children. Employees and alumni donated generously to his charity. Fortunately, federal law-enforcement officials acted expeditiously as part of stepped-up efforts to prosecute U.S. citizens who exploit children abroad. If this case results in greater vigilance, that will be a plus. Too often, people with suspicions simply look away. Sexual abuse of children is a monstrous crime that often leads victims into cycles of drug abuse, depression, shame and failed relationships.
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