BAKERSFIELD (CA)
Bakersfield Californian
May 6, 2019
By Stacey Shepard
A victims advocacy group has been contacted by five people in the past week who claim to be victims of sexual abuse by Monsignor Craig Harrison, according to a volunteer with the organization.
Esther Hatfield Miller, a native of Bakersfield, who is a volunteer leader for The Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests in California, said she’s spoken directly with four people — one person who claimed abuse by Harrison in Bakersfield and three who say they were abused by Harrison in Merced and surrounding areas.
The fifth accuser contacted another SNAP volunteer on Monday, Hatfield Miller said.
Additional details of the allegations will come out in a news conference the group plans to hold Tuesday morning at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno.
Teresa Dominguez, communications director the Fresno diocese, said she hopes the victims who’ve contacted SNAP will also contact law enforcement where the abuse took place, and also contact the diocese.
“The Diocese would also appreciate being informed so that we can provide the appropriate outreach,” she said.
SNAP officials and attorneys who work with victims of church sex abuse said they do encourage victims to file reports with police but said some victims feel uncomfortable doing so.
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