A loophole in 33 states allows clergy members to not report cases of sexual abuse if they are confessed to them, allowing an unknown number of predators to.
Churches in 33 states are defending a loophole that exempts clergy from reporting child sex abuse cases. These reporting laws have remained unchanged despite many legislative efforts.
It was a frigid Sunday evening at the Catholic Newman Center in Salt Lake City when the priest warned parishioners who had gathered after Mass that their right to private confessions was in jeopardy. A new law would break that sacred bond, the priest said, and directed the parishioners to sign a one-page form letter…
Churches defend clergy loophole in child sex abuse reporting auburnpub.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from auburnpub.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Clergy in 33 states are exempt from laws requiring professionals such as teachers, physicians and psychotherapists to report information about alleged child abuse to police or child welfare officials.