July 7, 2006 at 13:37:48

Clergy Sexual Abuse; Violence Against Children Act 2006 (VACA) - URGENT!

SAVE AS FAVORITE

VIEW FAVORITES

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

opednews.com Permalink

(d) mandatory reporting by all professionals, including clergy, of any personal knowledge of child abuse gained within the scope of their employment; and

(e) reporting of data on all persons convicted of or charged with child abuse crimes and on relevant civil cases to the agency referenced in (1).

(4) Revocation of tax-exempt status for organizations furthering child abuse. Tax-exempt status for a charitable organization under the Internal Revenue Code shall be revoked by the Internal Revenue Service from any organization if it is found by a court of law in a civil or criminal case that the organization:

(b) Fostered or enabled the abuse of children,

(c) Took steps to conceal the abuse of children within the organization, OR

(d) Failed to report knowledge of childhood sexual abuse to the relevant law enforcement authorities.

(1) Civil RICO amendment to deter organizations from harboring child abusers, hiding child abuse, or recklessly disregarding child abuse. The first sentence of Section 1964(c) of the Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1961- 1965 is amended to read as follows:

'Any person injured in his business, property, or person who is a victim of childhood sexual abuse by reason of a violation of section 1962 of this chapter may sue therefore in any appropriate United States district court and shall recover threefold the damages he sustains and the cost of the suit, including a reasonable attorney's fee, except that no person may rely upon any conduct that would have been actionable as fraud in the purchase or sale of securities to establish a violation of section 1962.'

(6) Criminal RICO amendment to deter organizations from harboring child abusers, hiding child abuse, or disregarding child abuse. The first sentence of Section 1961 (1) (A) of the Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1961- 1965, is amended to read as follows:

'As used in this chapter [18 USCS §§ 1961 et seq.]--(1) "racketeering activity" means (A) any act or threat involving murder, kidnapping, gambling, arson, robbery, bribery, extortion, dealing in obscene matter, childhood sexual abuse, or dealing in a controlled substance or listed chemical (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act [21 USCS § 802]), which is chargeable under State law and punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.

PLEASE LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! Send an email or fax to your Senator asking that he/she support this act. This new legislation will make the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, their legal advisors and hired lobbyists very nervous -- be prepared to read many PR spins in the media. Afterall, wouldn't you be nervous?

However, please never forget, politically-connected institutions and employees have claimed that Freedom of Religion and expired statutes of limitation have somehow allowed sex abuse crimes against children and vulnerable adults, to be free from accountability, forever! Was this truly the intent of our country's laws?

If you need assistance in showing support of the Violence Against Children Act of 2006, please send an email and no matter what your communication preference may be, there are many that can assist you in letting your voices be heard.

God bless you for taking action and for making your voices heard!

WITHOUT JUSTICE, THERE WILL NEVER BE PEACE, and
WITHOUT PEACE, FAITH AND OUR COUNTRY'S FREEDOMS ARE EMPTY!

Debby Bodkin, Founder
www.catholics4justice.com
bodkind@hotmail.com

1 | 2

Take action -- click here to contact your local newspaper or congress people:
Support The Violence Against Children Act 2006

Click here to see the most recent messages sent to congressional reps and local newspapers

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...)

The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.