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GUEST BLOG: The Child Victims’ Act and Restoring Spiritual Wellbeing

Apr 26, 2016 — Categories: , ,

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month in the United States, coinciding with a renewed attempt for New York legislators to ratify the Child Victims' Act (A2872A/S63A). The proposed legislation, sponsored by Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Queens) and Senator Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan), is being reintroduced after previous failure to pass. It would eliminate the statute of limitations (SOL) for prosecuting perpetrators of sex crimes against children, and would create a one-year window for victims to bring civil suits against perpetrators in cases where the statute has already expired.

GUEST BLOG: The Child Victims’ Act and Restoring Spiritual Wellbeing

A guest blog by Susan J. Katz

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month in the United States, coinciding with a renewed attempt for New York legislators to ratify the Child Victims' Act (A2872A/S63A). The proposed legislation, sponsored by Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Queens) and Senator Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan), is being reintroduced after previous failure to pass. It would eliminate the statute of limitations (SOL) for prosecuting perpetrators of sex crimes against children, and would create a one-year window for victims to bring civil suits against perpetrators in cases where the statute has already expired.

There is no Federal policy in the United States regarding the statute of limitations and each State must pass its own legislation. In other countries, such as Canada where I reside, when it comes to child abuse, there is no statute of limitations. The authority responsible for child abuse law in Canada rests with the Federal Government and includes protection from abuse by faith leaders.

The protection afforded to minors by the proposed Child Victims’ Act will bring the State of New York into alignment with other countries’ policies on this issue, something long overdue for all of the USA. Unfortunately in past attempts at ratification, the Act has had strong opposition from faith groups. According the Forward newspaper in 2013, in past years the New York State Catholic Conference has lobbied hard against the act, bolstered by Agudath Israel of America, an ultra-Orthodox umbrella organization.

Rabbi David Zwiebel, the Agudath’s executive vice president, had said his organization supported criminal and possibly civil prosecution of individuals. But the group strongly opposed any legislation that opened up institutions to lawsuits because of the acts of an employee. Other claims against the Act such as by the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference are that retroactive legislation will bankrupt the Catholic Church or other private institutions. According to the Web site ‘SOL Reform’, any claim that window legislation leads to bankruptcy of institutions is irresponsible and that only two bankruptcies have followed window legislation. All of the other diocesan bankruptcies were unrelated to Statute of Limitation reform.

In the light of so many recent revelations of child molestation within faith contexts and how this is compromising overall trust in faith institutions, it is shocking that any religious groups are opposing this legislation. The expected stance is for them, as institutions of spiritual and pastoral compassion, to offer clear and strong commitments for restitution to victims and preventative plans for the future. Religion, after all, is where we seek solace, understanding, and sacred time for wrestling with our suffering, pain and trauma. Profound damage occurs when abuse crimes happen in these vulnerable times of grace. Our faith-based environments must be safe. The financial reconciliation of a court decision can help victims feel validated and begin to heal. However, spiritual and moral wounding, the alienation from oneself and one’s faith, are much harder to define and remedy. Pastoral ministry in all faiths offers counselling that is uniquely designed to provide support and assistance to victims in their spiritual healing.

Thankfully many faith groups are stepping forward with strong mandates for safety and restoration of trust. The Committee on Ethics in Jewish Leadership has published a Declaration on Ethics in Jewish Leadership promoting the values of accountability, transparency, democracy, and fairness in American Jewish organizations and institutions. The 2014 Chirograph Of His Holiness Pope Francis 
For The Institution Of A Pontifical Commission For The Protection Of Minors created a Commission whose specific task is to propose to the Pope the most opportune initiatives for protecting minors and vulnerable adults.

We all benefit from legislating and protecting the rights of women and children. Let us also recognize the need to protect their spiritual wellbeing. The Child Victims Act will bring legislation in New York to end the statute of limitations for crimes against children; let us also support the initiatives in our faith communities that promote transparency and accountability while comforting those who seek spiritual healing. And hope that this law becomes the standard across the US.

Swirl

About the Author: Chaplain Susan J. Katz, MA, Spiritual Health Practitioner, Musician


Susan is a hospital Chaplain providing secular as well as faith-based services to people of all genders and abilities. She has served in care homes, correctional facilities, urban health and addictions treatment centres in both the United States and Canada. Susan lives in Vancouver, Canada, and is a Professional Member of the Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains, and an Associate Member of the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care. Susan’s writing and music can be found on her Web/Blog: The Compassionate Oboe.

 

 

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About the Author: Chaplain Susan J. Katz, MA, Spiritual Health Practitioner, Musician

Susan is a hospital Chaplain providing secular as well as faith-based services to people of all genders and abilities. She has served in care homes, correctional facilities, urban health and addictions treatment centres in both the United States and Canada. Susan lives in Vancouver, Canada, and is a Professional Member of the Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains, and an Associate Member of the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care. Susan’s writing and music can be found on her Web/Blog: The Compassionate Oboe

 

We welcome your comments. Please note that your comments will not be visible until they are approved by the moderator.

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