Attorneys Release Report on Clergy Abuse in Los Angeles

On October 2, 2018, Jeff Anderson & Associates released a report on clergy sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The report details the history of the Archdiocese and provides background and information on 307 perpetrators who were allowed to work in the Archdiocese. We believe this number is deficient and expect more information to come to light in the future. Of the 307, at least 37 perpetrators were allowed to flee Los Angeles once reports of abuse were known to Church officials. Even more concerning, is that the whereabouts of at least 150 are unknown and our communities and children remain at risk. It’s time for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and all Catholic bishops across California and the globe to release the files and documents on all known perpetrators. Until they do, our children remain in danger.

Reports documenting clergy abuse and institutional responses can help communities better understand the scope of abuse and the decisions that allowed offenders to remain in positions of authority. When reports identify individuals who were transferred, allowed to relocate, or whose whereabouts are unknown, it raises concerns about community safety and the need for transparency. Public reports can play an important role in informing communities, encouraging additional survivors to come forward, and helping law enforcement identify potential offenders.

Releasing information about known offenders and institutional practices is often seen as an important step toward accountability and prevention. Transparency allows communities to better protect children and helps ensure that individuals who have been accused of abuse are not able to continue working in positions of trust. Many survivor advocates believe that continued investigation, public reporting, and the release of documents are necessary to fully understand the extent of abuse and to prevent similar situations in the future.