Chile Expands Child Sex Abuse Probe to 127 Schools

Malay Mail
July 28, 2012

http://www.mmail.com.my/story/chile-expands-child-sex-abuse-probe-127-schools-24391

CHILEAN authorities have expanded their probe into reports of child sex abuse to include more than 120 schools in the capital Santiago, double the number a week ago, officials said Friday.

"There are now 127 schools under investigation in the metropolitan region for complaints about offences that are sexual in nature," prosecutor Sabas Chahuan said in a statement.

Last week, Chilean authorities had said 59 schools in Santiago were under investigation.

The most recent allegation is linked to John O'Reilly, an Irish Catholic priest and member of the Legionnaires of Christ who was suspended from the Colegio Cumbres school in the upscale Las Condes district of Santiago after a student's family reported abuse.

O'Reilly, who worked as a chaplain, insisted in a statement that it was all a "regrettable mistake," arguing his behavior was above board.

At one preschool, against which four allegations of sexual abuse and rape of minors have been made, the alleged aggressor is believed to be the son of the director.

Allegations of sexual abuse against minors under the age of 14 have jumped 22 percent during the first half of the year, according to authorities.

The recent wave of allegations follows several other highly publicised sex abuse cases implicating priests and the recently deceased mother superior of an Ursuline congregation in charge of well known Santiago schools.

Chile's Catholic church last year formally apologised for the clerical sexual abuse cases, as well as for their lack of reaction and efficiency in dealing with allegations.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, meanwhile, announced the creation of a special office for the defence of children, as well as higher penalties for people who commit sexual abuse.