Protecting Children from Abuse (Part 1)

Currently, the Vatican is being asked to explain why the Pope didn't weed out a child predator from the priesthood when the Pope was a bishop. I wasn't surprised to learn of this situation since I read Marci A. Hamilton's book, pictured above, last year. Prior to reading the book I was totally unaware how different systems dealt with child abusers. Now I interpret news of child abuse from a new light.

For example, here are a few revelations for me from Hamilton's book:

A key part of processing child sex abuse cases is the statues of limitation (SOL) to file a case; however, "the SOLs are arbitrary rules, and they stop litigants even when survivors have strong and just claims." (p. 3)

"Child sex abuse is a massive national problem; at least 25 percent of girls and 20 percent of boys are sexually abused." (p. 4)

"There was a time when child abusers were referred to as 'Stranger Danger.' Most of use lived in an unfortunately mytical world where 'incest' was only a word in the dictionary, and sexual perverts were just rumors: lurking strangers in trench coats, but not 'nice' dads, teachers, or priests. To stay safe, [a child] simply had to refuse candy or car rides from 'Mr. Stranger Danger.' In reality, though [a child] is most at risk from those who care for her and make friends with her, from parents to chatroom buddy who is in fact a predator." (p. 5)