Sexual Abuse in the News
News headlines from around the world, particularly South Africa, dealing with the subject of sexual abuse with a special focus on sexual abuse by clergy.
South African Headlines
Sex, money and bad habits (14 February 2008)
A Catholic priest who brought a defamation suit against a family
which charged him with sexual misconduct involving their daughter, has
withdrawn his case ...
Child victims left in the lurch (4 December 2007)
South Africa's courts are failing to protect young children and the mentally handicapped who have to take the stand, Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Mokotedi Mpshe SC, has said ...
Abuse is problem among SA clergy: Archbishop (3 November 2007)
On the eve of the release of former Boys Town student Mario D'Offizi's
book, the diocese admits that child sex abuse in the church has been a
problem for many years ...
Boys Town bishop accused of molestation (October 7 2007
6:21PM)
A Catholic bishop who founded the largest private childcare
organisation in South Africa
has been implicated in the sexual abuse of a teenager at Boys Town ...
Sweeping changes give rape laws teeth (26 August 2007)
Parliamentarians have approved legislation that makes it more difficult
for convicted rapists to argue for reduced sentences in court ...
Sex offenders register set to flop says expert (August 11,
2007)
A lack of adequate government resources could result in a complete
failure of the national sex offenders register, according to an expert ...
International Headlines
Brisbane to act quickly on child sex abuse cases (June 29, 2008 12:36)
The Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane has passed legislation requiring
the automatic de-frocking of clergy convicted of child sexual abuse ...
Iowa: Sex Abuse Payments to Proceed (May 2, 2008 01:34)
A bankruptcy judge approved a $37 million settlement between the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport..
Scranton Diocese to Pay $3 Million in Sex Abuse Case (Apr 30, 2008 18:33)
The settlement is one of the largest individual awards made by a Catholic diocese to a victim of sex..
After Ground Zero Prayer, Pope Ministers to 60,000 in Stadium (Apr 28, 2008 05:35) Pope Benedict XVI closed his visit to the U.S. with a reminder to the faithful that “obedienc..
Jesuit Order Settles Suit on Sex Abuse in Alaska (Apr 23, 2008 12:04)
A Roman Catholic religious order has agreed to pay $50 million to more than 100 Alaska Natives. The ..
Vatican Hints at Changes in Church Laws on Abuse (Apr 22, 2008 04:23)
A top official suggested that the Roman Catholic Church is considering changes related to the statu..
For Abuse Victims on ‘Journey of Healing,' an Emotional Encounter (Apr 22, 2008 04:23) Boston's Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley efforts paved the way for Pope Benedict XVI's meeting with victim..
Abuse Victims Warily Consider Pope's Words (Apr 22, 2008 04:23)
Some church sex abuse victims have largely ignored the pope's visit and say they are dubious about ..