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An Online Resource Library on Domestic & Sexual Violence
The law 'provides for the analysis of the incidents and effects of prison rape in Federal, State, and local institutions and provides information, resources, recommendations, and funding to protect individuals from prison rape.'
The report gives a detailed analysis of how the Philadelphia archdiocese covered up sexual abuse by priests, and then moved the priests to knowingly allow them to continue to sexually abuse children, while protecting the church from scandal and lawsuits. Although the grand jury was unable to bring any formal charges against any priest or the archdiocese, they recommended eliminating the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse. They also recommend other changes in the law to allow for easier prosecution of church bodies in the future.
They believe 'that effective public policy requires the careful balancing of criminal justice sanctions which are designed both to enhance public safety and to punish criminal acts, with providing interventions.' ATSA sees a difference between juvenile and adult sex offenders and they offer 5 recommendations for addressing the legal management of these juveniles.
Some of the steps listed include the need for the church to institute a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse by clergy, the need for an apology to all victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, and the need to compensate victims.
For the purposes of this policy, confidentiality or confidential reporting is defined as allowing a member of the DoD to report a sexual assault to specified individuals. This reporting option gives the member access to medical care, counseling and victim advocacy, without initiating investigative process.
