GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Attorney General Josh Kaul delivered an update on the statewide inquiry into clergy and faith leader abuse during a stop in Green Bay on Wednesday.
“One of the reasons we launched this initiative is because we knew that there were over 160 cases that diocese and religious orders in Wisconsin had identified involving credibly accused priests, but there had never been a statewide review,” Kaul said. “Reports related to clergy and faith leaders of multiple different faiths, in some cases they don’t relate to any institution at all. Folks should feel free to contact us.”
There have been well over 100 reports submitted since the investigation was announced back in April. Each report is reviewed by a multi-disciplinary team comprised of law enforcement, victim services, and a prosecutor.
“When we communicate about this, some people see that there is this option to report – and that has encouraged people to report,” Kaul said. “What that number of people reporting suggests, I think, is that people do see this as a fair and independent review and they feel comfortable coming forward.”
Cooperation from religious groups, however, has been uneven. Kaul points out that the Milwaukee archdiocese put out a letter indicating they would not be cooperating with requests for documents. Green Bay’s diocese has made at least some information public, but Kaul would not elaborate on exactly what was shared.
“Different religious orders and diocese have taken different approaches. I will say that, generally speaking, people should not assume that if they’ve reported before that the information is going to be coming to us,” Kaul said. “[This is] an opportunity for anybody who’s taken good positive steps to keep kids safe to demonstrate that, and to show through the review that they’re being fully transparent. I hope that diocese and religious orders will take advantage of that opportunity.”
That’s also why Kaul says the reports from potential victims are so critical. Those reports serve as the central way the state has in gathering information surrounding the issue.
“If people have reported before, we still want to encourage them to report again so that we have as complete a picture as possible, and because we don’t know yet exactly what information we’re going to get as this moves forward,” Kaul said.
Brown County has seen two cases reported so far in the investigation, and District Attorney David Lasee continues to ask people to step forward if they may be a victim.
“We have had a couple of new reports that have come forward of potentially prosecutable cases here in brown county as a result of this initiative. I would encourage those who have information about past abuse, even if it is beyond the statute limitations, to come forward,” Lasee said. “We encourage people to report, we encourage people to come forward. And to know that when you do come forward, that you will be heard, that you will be supported, and if possible, we will take action on those allegations.”
The allegations in Brown County both reportedly date back to the 1980’s, but Lasee says they are still potentially prosecutable based on a series of facts that could allow them to extend the statute of limitations.
“Generally, only after 1989. But in some situations, if priests have been moved or if the perpetrator lived out of state, there’s a possibility that the statute of limitations can be extended,” Lasee explained.
The DOJ aims to provide confidential means for survivors to report sexual abuse – or for witnesses and others to report what they know about potential concealment of abuse by faith leaders. People can share that information with the Department of Justice either online at SupportSurvivors.widoj.gov or by calling 1-877-222-2620.
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