89% of Rhode Islanders Support Independent Investigation into Clergy Sex Abuse

SNAP
October 25, 2018

http://www.snapnetwork.org/rhode_island_poll_investigation_oct18

According to a recent poll, 89% of Rhode Islanders believe that their attorney general should open an investigation into clergy sex abuse. SNAP believes that whichever candidate for the RI attorney general race wins, they should listen to their constituents and open an investigation following their election.

At this time, 16 attorneys general – from 15 states and Washington D.C. – have opened investigations into dioceses under their purview and have launched hotlines and websites to help survivors share their experiences and aid in the investigations. Regardless of who wins the upcoming election, we believe that the incoming attorney general should move swiftly to add Rhode Island to that list.

According to Bishop-Accountability.org, there are at least 38 priests who worked in Rhode Island who have been accused of abuse. We fear there may be more. We hope that both candidates will seriously consider the importance of this investigation, especially as they enter the final weeks of their campaign.

Independent investigations by law enforcement are the only way to get to the truth of this matter and it is clear that citizens in Rhode Island are interested in the truth. Whoever the new attorney general is, we believe they should immediately respond to the concerns shared by an overwhelming proportion of their constituents. It is the right thing to do.

CONTACT: Zach Hiner, Executive Director (zhiner@snapnetwork.org, 517-974-9009)

(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)