Northam Signs Bill Requiring Clergy to Report Abuse

The Loudoun Times Mirror reported Wednesday, March 28, 2019, that Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed into law a bill, effective July 1, 2019, that requires, “priests, ministers, rabbis and other clergy members to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.”

Northam Signs Bill Requiring Clergy to Report Abuse

The article states:

Gov. Ralph Northam has signed into law two bills — HB 1659, sponsored by Del. Karrie Delaney, (D-67th), and SB 1257, introduced by Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel, (R-27th). The measures mandate that religious officials must report any suspected abuse to local law enforcement.

Both Delaney and Vogel represent portions of Loudoun County.

The bills passed unanimously in the House and Senate last month.

There are exceptions. The confession booth, and information discovered during a confession, remains confidential.

What does this mean for abusive places like Calvary Temple located in Sterling, VA, right in good old Loudoun County? Remember, Calvary Temple is still involved in an active investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Virginia State Police. A current member, Kevin O’Connor, who is also a former deacon, has been accused and indicted on six counts of sexual abuse of a minor. O’Connor faces trial at the end of April this year. (See LTM Article #1 and Article #2) Calvary Temple’s leader, Star Robert Scott, has been accused himself of molesting children for the past 40 years but still has yet to face formal charges.

We know for a fact that there are men AND women currently and formerly in leadership/clergy roles who knew and KNOW about the child sexual abuse that has happened to Calvary Temple children/victims. I do not believe that it is a stretch to say that the abuse has not stopped, either. Research supports this statement.

The Spotlight placed on child sexual abuse has been exposing these predators in the Calvary Temple compound for over 10 years now. It is time for something to be done about this blight within the Loudoun County community. It is time for justice for the victims.

The article ends with this and so shall I:

“Any action is great, but you shouldn’t need laws for people to do the right thing — especially when protecting children,” Weeks said.

Weeks warned parents that predators are usually those they trust most around their children, not strangers.

Northam signed the legislation just days before the start of National Child Abuse Prevention Month on April 1. To receive reports of sexual abuse of a minor by clergy, the Virginia State Police have a website, Virginiaclergyhotline.com, and a toll-free hotline, 833-454-9064. Callers may remain anonymous.

(Bolded emphasis added by me)

#exposecalvarytemple #ItsTheLaw #SpotlightOnCalvaryTemple #ForSuchATimeAsThis #PleaseComeForward #JusticeForCTVictims #JusticeForTheChildren #YouCanRemainAnonymous #ThisMustEnd #Ezekiel34