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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…
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.
An Associated Press review finds that over the past two decades, more than 130 bills have been proposed in state legislatures to create or amend child sex abuse reporting laws. After intense opposition from religious groups, the clergy privilege remained unchanged.