What’s New in Non Profit Area to Know

Wrestling News Source

A new lawsuit has been filed against WWE, Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, and TKO Group Holdings related to the “Ring Boys” who survived sexual abuse.

“These survivors are profiles in courage. One third of child sex abuse victims never come forward due to shame, humiliation, trauma, and physical and psychological injuries,” remarked Professor Marci Hamilton, founder and CEO of CHILD USA.

“Sadly, we know that 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 13 boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18. CHILD USA is advocating for statute of limitations reform to hold perpetrators accountable in cases of delayed disclosure. Thanks to the Maryland window we fought for, these brave survivors can seek justice.”

National Catholic Reporter

In a 2018 grand jury report on the cover-up of child sex abuse by Catholic clergy in Pennsylvania, more than 300 priests and bishops were accused of committing or ignoring a litany of abuses, including pedophilia, sodomy, rape and sadomasochistic acts. Named in the report were three Scranton bishops, including my great uncle.

“Priests were raping little boys and girls,” the report stated, “and the men of God who were responsible for them not only did nothing: they hid it all.”

The cover-up was described as one of the worst scandals in church history.

“They knew exactly how it was handled,” attorney Marci Hamilton, founder and CEO of child advocacy nonprofit CHILD USA, told me. “They thought they were not accountable to the law.” (Hamilton had consulted on a similar 2005 report in Philadelphia.)

New York FOCUS

Hundreds of Child Victims Act cases have been filed against New York schools, some over accused serial offenders that could leave districts with tens of millions of dollars in liability.

Carina Nixon, a senior staff attorney at CHILD USA, said it can take decades for a survivor of child sexual abuse to come to terms with their experience.

“A lot of times, these survivors have been struggling in silence for decades, holding onto this horrible act that was committed against them,” she said. “Being able to hold their abuser accountable, or in some cases, institutions that covered up the abuse, is part of the healing process for survivors.”

ICLG.com
New legislation prompted by the murder of a child by a father with a history of violence repositions child safety as a top priority for the family courts.

Accord to child-protection not-for-profit think tank CHILD USA, between 2010 and 2019 more than 700 US children were murdered by a divorcing or separating parent; Kayden Mancuso was the 647th.

USA TODAY

The Supreme Court declined to decide if the student can sue Snapchat. “Although the Court denies certiorari today, there will be other opportunities in the future,” Thomas wrote in a dissent joined by Gorsuch. “But, make no mistake about it − there is danger in delay.”

The case was championed by child abuse prevention groups but it involved the much broader issue of whether social media companies can be sued over user-generated content.

“Social media companies must be held accountable for the harm they are exacting on children through their own misconduct,” lawyers for CHILD USA and other groups told the court.

Dallas Express

In the aftermath of shocking allegations against Robert Morris, former pastor of Southlake’s Gateway Church, Texas lawmakers aim to tighten laws against child sex abuse and those who enable it.

Similar advocacy efforts have gained momentum in other states, such as New York and Louisiana, resulting in law reforms that have enabled hundreds of survivors to pursue legal action.

APSAC Advisor | Vol. 37 | No. 1
This study aims to address a gap in the literature in the United States regarding institutional reporting and its impact on children. The study concludes with limitations and recommendations for needed legislative changes to better safeguard vulnerable children and the MRs tasked with protecting them.

Jim Gregory and Mark Rozzi may not see their efforts pay off before departing the Legislature.

PA Capital Star

Reps. Mark Rozzi and Jim Gregory are among survivors of child sexual abuse who may not see legislation which would give adult survivors a two-year window to sue…

VERDICT Justia

Big news for Louisiana survivors. The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled on June 12 that the state’s legislature acted constitutionally when it expanded the statute of limitations (in that state, called “prescriptions”) so that more survivors could sue their abusers in court. Statutes of limitations [SOLs] determine the time limits on when a case can be brought. The new ruling means the courts are open again to victims of sexual abuse.

Keep your eyes on Louisiana. Why? The Archdiocese of New Orleans filed for bankruptcy on May 1, 2020. The fear is that bankruptcy keeps victims’ cases from proceedings and protects the defendants instead of the survivors. We’re not sure yet if the archbishop will listen to the stories of the victims. Or of what will happen to the victims’ cases.