The legacy of clergy sexual abuse: A cry for restorative justice

By Lisa Rea

I first became active on the issue of clergy abuse of children in 2001 after reading a local story in Northern California of a high profile school superintendent who told his story to our local newspaper of being abused by the family priest when he was a child.  I read that man’s brave story on the front page of our little newspaper over a morning cup of coffee. But I can remember the impact then, as I do now, a reaction of shock, disbelief, and anger. How is this possible? What can we do? And how can we do nothing?

Jun 15, 2009 Correspondent:Lisa Rea, Case:Sexual

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Restorative justice and child sex offences: The theory and the practice.

This article has sought to highlight the limitations associated with using restorative justice for child sex offences. The major concern is that restorative justice will be unable to defuse the power relationship between victim and offender and will re-traumatize victims compared with recent criminal justice reforms that are designed to ensure that vulnerable victims do not have face-to-face contact with offenders.

Jun 08, 2009 Policy, Report, Evaluation, Case:Sexual

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