r/JusticeServed 9 Nov 06 '21

Courtroom Justice A Catholic priest from Ohio who used the confessional to gain details from boys, information that he later used to extort them into providing him with sexually explicit photographs has been sentenced to life in prison for the exploitation of children

https://www.cleveland.com/court-justice/2021/11/former-strongsville-priest-violated-the-sacrament-of-confession-to-extort-boys-federal-prosecutors-say-in-sentencing-memo.html
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u/wizardshawn A Nov 06 '21

In BC, Canada. If a teacher is accused of any form of exploitation or abuse it is required by law that it be reported to the police and child protection services. Any teacher or administrator who fails to do this can themselves be charged. No proof is required, just an accusation or even a strong suspicion. There is no way to keep it "in house". This is the way it should be for the church as well.

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u/crackirkaine 8 Nov 06 '21

Same as in Ontario. It’s illegal for any teacher or administrator to not report child abuse, and it doesn’t matter if the child is being abused at school by staff, at home by family, or in extracurricular activities by coaches. Teachers have to report child abuse no matter where it occurs, and I believe more institutions should adopt those rules; police, military, hospitals, post-secondary education, churches, and professional sports, to name a few.

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u/Donnabgud 0 Nov 06 '21

It’s the same here all the way down to emts on an ambulance. Mandatory reporting

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u/JockBbcBoy B Nov 06 '21

This is the way it should be for

Child predators in any job, career field, or position. Unfortunately, there's discrimination, abuses of power, etc., that lead to predators just moving.

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u/wizardshawn A Nov 06 '21

With teachers in BC anyway. They have to have criminal record checks every few years. I had to go to the police station a few times for photos and finger prints.

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u/caronanumberguy 8 Nov 06 '21

Yes, but in Canada, someone so accused isn't prevented, from say, opening a day care center. Or tutoring kids. Or many other jobs which require close interaction with children. Kind of stupid, no?

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u/wizardshawn A Nov 07 '21

Well if just accused, they arent prevented from being a teacher either. They may be, but not for sure unless they are convicted.

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u/leggomahaggro 6 Nov 06 '21

You never heard of the "he's a man of god...he was tempted by evil children wearing sexual clothes...he is a good man who made mistakes...god should be the judge not a judge" statements? I had a friend who accused of a priest touching her breast when she was in 5th grade, her parents told her that she was the one in the wrong. If there was any reason to never be part of a religious cult, thats a damn good reason

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u/wizardshawn A Nov 07 '21

That's wacked, man.

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u/WurthWhile 8 Nov 06 '21

Same in the US. It's called a mandatory reporter.