BishopAccountability.org
	Media Oversimplified US Abuse Report Findings The Cathnews June 2, 2011 http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=26701 An expert in abuse prevention strategies said the John Jay report examining the causes of clergy sexual abuse in the US was over-simplified by media reports, reports the Catholic News Service. Texas-based researcher Monica Applewhite said she was surprised the report was characterised almost solely by what the New York Times dubbed the "blame Woodstock" theory, especially since that factor did not "jump out" at her after reading the 150-page report. She said highlighting one cause - among multiple factors that were described - "is an extreme simplification of what the report actually says" and ends up oversimplifying "a complicated problem that requires a complex solution." "I would encourage people to read the report for themselves, or at least the four-page executive summary," she added. The report is available online at www.usccb.org/mr/causes-and-context.shtml. The report by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York concluded that there is "no single identifiable 'cause' of sexually abusive behaviour toward minors" particularly during the 1960s and 1970s; that situational factors, opportunities to abuse, social upheaval of the time and lack of "careful preparation for a celibate life" for priests played a role. Applewhite said the report makes "a significant contribution" to the study of sexual abuse and could be a model for any youth-serving organisation "that decides to study itself." Ms Applewhite is an expert in the field of abuse prevention and response, specialising in programs for churches and schools and has worked with several hundred organisations that serve children and youths. From her perspective, the most significant gap for preventing abuse in the Catholic Church and other religious groups is the "lack of professional supervision for ministers." She said this observation "came out in the study, but hasn't received the attention it needs."
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