Sex Abuse Victims Urge Others to Speak out, Dave Kinchen, ConnectMidMichigan, October 26, 2009

Sex Abuse Victims Urge Others to Speak out

By Dave Kinchen
ConnectMidMichigan
October 26, 2009

http://www.connectmidmichigan.com/news/story.aspx?id=367492

Catholic Diocese of Saginaw
Photo by Matt Horne

SAGINAW COUNTY -- Victims of alleged sexual abuse gathered in Saginaw County to launch a series of prevention programs aimed at stopping future cases of abuse through churches, or other religious entities. The Group SNAP or Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests met to encourage possible victims to report the crimes to authorities and help add to the list of registered sex offenders in the state.

“Bay County just had the sweep (with) their police force and looked for all the sex offenders on the list and found that out of nine, five weren’t on the list. That’s because they moved. We’re trying to get the known sex offenders, the ones that are not on that list, on the list,” said Brad Sylvester, president of the Saginaw chapter of SNAP.

The group also discussed a report from a Philadelphia Grand Jury that criticizes Bishop Joseph Cistone of the Saginaw Catholic Diocese, for mishandling abuse cases on behalf of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw released a two page statement, saying the most painful and humbling experience of his priesthood has been that of coming to know and trying to comprehend the abuse of children.

"As I prepared to become the Bishop of Saginaw, I began reviewing the current efforts in my new diocese to reach out to victims, to educate adults to become protectors of children and to educate children in an age-appropriate manner regarding the issue," says Bishop Cistone. "Over these past weeks, I have met several times with the Diocesan Review Board in ongoing efforts to continue to identify ways to enhance programs, outreach and openness about this difficult subject.'

The Diocese of Saginaw continues to reach out to victims who are suffering from abuse. Those in need of assistance are invited to call or e-mail victim assistance coordinator Sister Janet Fulgenzi, OP PhD, at 1-800-453-2081 ext. 682 or jfulgenzi@dioceseofsaginaw.org.

In the meantime, SNAP leaders say the most important thing possible victims can do is speak out.

"We do know that when there's secrets and when no one talks we know the abuse continues. So we think it's more important than ever for victims to speak up,” said SNAP national president Barbara Blaine.