Are Catholic schools prepared to discuss sex abuse with students?
The Brooklyn Diocese released the names of 108 clergy members credibly accused of sexual abuse against children and parishioners at their Brooklyn and Queens churches and schools on Friday, just as most students around New York City headed into a weeklong winter break.
Despite the latest revelation of church abuse, not all Catholic schools are taking a proactive approach to reaching out to families and students, according to school staff, families and alumni who spoke with the Brooklyn Eagle anonymously. The lack of outreach confounds victims’ advocates.
“We live in a 24/7 connected world, so there’s no hiding these kinds of abuses,” said Zach Hinder, executive director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), a leading self-help and advocacy organization for clergy sex abuse victims. “Schools have to have parents asking about this. This is a real opportunity to provide education and outreach.”