As many of you know, the media is filled with stories about Fr. Lawrence Murphy, the former head of St. John School for the Deaf(now closed), Milwaukee, WI. Much in the stories is accurate. Fr. Murphy sexually abused many, many young deaf boys. Like all those who sexually abuse children, his actions were terribly evil. Fr. Murphy would only abuse deaf boys who did not use their voices and who had hearing parents(those who did not sign). Fr. Murphy is dead. His final judgement is in God's hands. There are some things that are important to think about:
1) We never - NEVER - blame the victims! These were young people who trusted someone in authority. This is the terrible shame. Sexual abusers are usually people in authority - teachers/school aides/bus drivers/special education staff, coaches, priests/pastors/rabbis/imams, doctors/dentists, police officers, etc. The young person feels he/she must obey that person..
2) 75% of ALL sexual abuse happens in "families". This is the figure for Cook County; the same figure for the USA. Most children are not abused by "Mr. Stranger Danger". They suffer abuse from their own relatives.
3) Children who are disabled suffer abuse more than twice the rate compared to children without disabilities. Why? Because sexual criminals know that many adults will not believe a disabled child who says he/she was sexually abused.
4) The Archdiocese of Milwaukee, WI will meet with any person who wishes to report any sexual abuse. The Archdiocese will provide certified, confidential interpreters for these meetings. The Archdiocese of Chicago (Catholic Office of the Deaf, Office for Child Protection) will assist any person who wishes to report sexual abuse in Milwaukee, Chicago, or anywhere else.
5) PARENTS: summer is coming You must check to make sure that anyone who works with your children - coach, scoutmaster, aide, bus driver, camp counselor - has passed a criminal background check.
6) Sexual abuse happens daily. Recently, the Boy Scouts of America revealed they kept a list of over 1,200 Scout leaders who were "dangerous risks" to boys. The CTA fired a bus driver who was convicted of child molesting, and the bus drivers' union wanted him to stay driving a CTA bus! In Illinois last year, over thirty teachers were removed or fired for sexual abuse (many were "Special Education" teachers).
7) There are many religions who have sexual abusers. Recently, TONY ALAMO, a famous evangelical preacher, was convicted of sexually abusing young girls. The courts have convicted several "religious leaders" who "married" 12,13,14,15 year old girls and had childen with them. The Mormon Church has had problems with its own members; so too the Jehovah Witnesses. In NewYork, there is a huge scandal involving Orthodox Jewish leaders and young children.
8) For more information, go to www.deafchurchchicago.parishesonline.com. under ROME2009 PAPERS there are two articles: DEAF PEOPLE & HISTORY OF AWARENESS.
Continue to pray for all victims of abuse!