Police Withhold Name of Church in Abuse Case

SNAP
October 2, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/or_police_withhold_name_of_church_in_abuse_case

We are very disappointed that Portland police officials are withholding the name of a church where an accused child molester met his victim.

Whether or not Joseph William Wehage had a formal leadership role at the church is irrelevant. It's very possible that he assaulted others who attend or work at the church or their children.

Parents, parishioners and the public need and deserve more information, not less, about credibly accused child molesters. Withholding the church's name smacks of the outdated deference that law enforcement officials once routinely gave to church officials but which, thankfully, has waned because of thousands of well-documented cases of clergy sex crimes and cover ups.

We urge Portland police officials to reconsider this timid and misguided decision.