Clergy Sex Abuse Scandals & Modern Day Hate Crimes

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By Debby Bodkin (about the author) Page 2 of 2 page(s)

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Two days before the prom, school administrators via voicemail, inform me that Laurel's request to bring Nick to the prom has been denied by the school's administrative team. We were told that the public school "reserves the right to deny attendance at any school event. Request denied". Despite multiple requests by me, the school refused to provide a reason for the denial.

As a mom, as all moms do, survival mode clicked in immediately. After my voicemails and emails were ignored by school administrators, I turned to the Orange County Human Relations Commission, with the hope that a Mediator would clarify the denial of prom attendance, and intervene with the school's decision denying Nick's attendance at the senior prom. I truly believed that this time, there was a county government agency that could assist in such a discriminatory hate crime, by a public high school.

Afterall, why would any educational institution deny a child's attendance at a prom when other non-students were allowed to attend the school event? So, as I prepare to submit this article for publication to www.OpEdNews.com, it is the day before the big senior prom and no communication from the OC Human Relations Commission or school administration has been received.

The prom dress, tickets, flowers and limo are ready to go but yet, there are two children still waiting with hope, that someone will provide permission to allow Nick to attend the prom, as a date of a school student. Really, all the children needed was the respect of an explanation as to why Nick was denied attendance to the senior prom.

Last note, shortly after I contacted the OC Human Relations Commission to request an investigation of a potential hate crime and denials of due process by a public school, new information was delivered to me.

Yes, in my opinion, Goliath may have appeared again in our lives; unfortunately, no proof at this time. However, the news delivered was that a prominent and high level priest in Orange County also serves on the OC Human Relations Commission, the government agency with expertise and responsibility for investigating hate crimes and discrimination in the affluent and well-known Orange County, California.

Wish us luck tomorrow -- send your prayers. Two precious children again must face a challenging situation, without an explanation. Unfortunately, the children were not granted the respect of a statement by school or the OC agency where the hate crime report was made.

Family blessing for this week. A hate crime appears again but we are very thankful for this week's lessons and as always, we have the clergy abuse survivors and their families to thank. Your courage to speak out so others are safe from sex abuse has made a difference.

At one time, survivors were a David fighting against Goliath alone, without support. Today, Goliath is still there and alive -- but David gets stronger by the day and so many otheres are understanding the importance of fixing the wrongs that have been committed.

God bless you always.

Debby Bodkin, Founder
www.catholics4justice.com

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www.catholics4justice.com

As an amateur writer, mother, wife and legal secretary for the past 25 years, my passion for the courage of clergy sex abuse victims, their families and mandated reporters, who made a choice to protect children, before their own career security and (more...)

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