Ohio Bishops Establish a New Counseling Assistance Fund for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse by Church Officials. CLICK HERE
The Counseling Assistance Fund, established by Ohio’s Catholic Bishops in 2006, supports counseling or similar mental health services for adults who were sexually abused as minors by representatives of the Catholic Church in Ohio. This fund operates through a process independent of the Church. A person may file a claim regardless of how long ago the act of abuse occurred. However, all claims must be filed by May 15, 2008.
Website Established to Provide Claim Forms, Fund Information, and Further Reference Links. CLICK HERE
Parish Promotional Materials Regarding the Counseling Assistance Fund
Pulpit Announcements. (For use with the Bulletin Insert, as well as periodically until May 2008). CLICK HERE
Bulletin Announcements. (For use periodically until May 2008). CLICK HERE
Bulletin Board Flyer (For Placement on Parish Bulletin Boards). CLICK HERE
New Ohio Law Effective August 3, 2006.
Guidance for all Catholic Clergy being Sent regarding Obligations and Responsibilities Associated with this New Law. CLICK HERE FOR THE CLERGY MEMO
Ohio Supreme Court Rules on Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases, May 31, 2006. Click Here for Decision
Substitute SB 17, Child Abuse Protection, Signed into Law, May 2, 2006
The House passed Substitute SB 17 by a vote of 77-18 on Wednesday March 29, 2006. The Senate concurred by a vote of 18-13. The Governor signed this bill on May 2, 2006. It will go into effect on July 30, 2006.
Sub. SB 17 was amended to remove the one year "window" that would have reopened past cases that have expired under Ohio's civil statute of limitations. In its place, was the creation of a Registry that would allow a "Declaratory Judgment" placing the names of declared abusers on the Attorney General's website.
Other changes were made related to tougher penalties, fraudulent concealment , changing the future statute of limitations to age 30, and new restrictions on known abusers.
Catholic Conference of Ohio Statement in Response to Passage of Amended Substitute Senate Bill 17 (updated May 2, 2006)
Amended Substitute SB 17 As Passed by the Ohio General Assembly March 29, 2006
Synopsis of House Amendments to Sub. SB 17
Link to View House Debate on Sub 17, March 29, 2006
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Link to View Senate Concurrence Debate, March 29, 2006
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Link to View Senate Floor Debate, March 16, 2005
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Press Release in Response to Bishop Gumbleton's statement on SB 17, January 11, 2006
Catholic Conference of Ohio position on SB 17, May, 2005.
Church Responses to Protect Children
USCCB Office of Child and Youth Protection
Ohio Diocesan Protect Children Programs
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