Priest sex abuse reports continue to spike after Pa. investigation

By Candy Woodall
York Dail Record
September 15, 2018

https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2018/09/15/priest-abuse-reports-continue-spike-u-s-after-pa-investigation/1318521002/

Judy Deaven, of Harrisburg, weeps as Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy.

A statewide priest abuse investigation in Pennsylvania has inspired widespread inquiries in other states and dioceses across the country. 

Most recently, dioceses in Salt Lake City, Utah, and San Jose, California, said they would reveal the names of Catholic priests accused of sexual abuse.

The Salt Lake City diocese on Thursday said it received 16 credible reports of priest abuse since the 1990s. Two incidents occurred this year, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. 

Also on Thursday, the San Diego diocese released the names of eight priests accused of sexually abusing children, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The San Jose diocese will release names of its accused priests in October, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The Archdiocese of San Francisco is considering a similar release. 

Additionally, a New Jersey hotline designated for victims to report abuse has been inundated with calls, according to NJ.com. A statewide investigation, similar to Pennsylvania, recently launched in New Jersey. 

Prosecutors in Illinois, Florida, Missouri and New York are also investigating child sex abuse allegations in their states. 

These recent announcements follow a wave of priest abuse reports since a Pennsylvania grand jury report was unveiled last month, detailing a cover-up that protected 301 predator priests and kept silent more than 1,000 victims.