By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
“The only way to attack child abuse is to lift that veil of silence that has been over families.”
That was the message from Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees, who spoke during Tuesday’s listening session in Hays about sexual abuse by Catholic priests and Capuchin friars in Hays and throughout the Salina Diocese.
The meeting at St. Nicholas of Myra Church was hosted by Bishop Jerry Vincke along with Frs. Christopher Popravak and Joseph Mary Elder of the Denver Province of Capuchins.
Late last week, the Capuchins and the Salina Diocese released separate lists of clergy who have been investigated for “substantial” or “credible allegations” of sexual abuse of a minor.
“For so many years, children were not comfortable reporting,” Drees said in an interview following the meeting. “Children would report to their family. The family would not report it.
“Hopefully, this (meeting) will give parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends the encouragement that when a child does tell you about a situation like this, you report it to law enforcement, let law enforcement properly investigate it and see what’s going on.”
Between July 2012 and March 4, 2019, the Ellis County Attorney’s office was notified by the Capuchins of seven possible sexual abuse cases involving more than one abuser.
Drees believes it’s “very good for persons who have been abused in the past to bring that information forward. Everyone is encouraged to report. … The local parish priest will help you report, and the diocese wants to hear from people.”
The Kansas statute of limitations is very specific.
“We have to know all the details to know whether a case is outside the limitations,” Drees said.
Many times, the crimes are reported years after the abuse, but the Kansas statute of limitations has changed over time.
“Today, if you have a rape or if you have a aggravated criminal sodomy, that would be unlimited. So that’s within a lifetime, if you find that out, you can prosecute it,” Drees explained to the audience.
But that’s a fairly recent change in state law. Previously, the statute of limitations was 10 years.
Other sexual violent crimes against children can be prosecuted until the victim turns age 18, or 28 if a suspect is identified through DNA. There are some exceptions, Drees noted.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation launched its own inquiry in early February into alleged sexual abuse by clergy and is working with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.
KBI agent Mark Kendrick, Colby, attended Tuesday’s meeting but would not comment on why he was there. Standing in the back of the church were several Hays and Ellis County law enforcement officers.
It’s unknown at this time whether reported cases will be referred back to local prosecutors or if the state will prosecute, according to Drees.
There are still an unknown number of unreported sexual abuse incidents.
“Statistically, you know that there are more cases out there,” said Drees.
“What we’re hearing about are people who are old enough and set enough in their careers and families, that they’re now willing to come forward.”
Drees noted sexual abuse is reported in areas other than the Catholic Church.
“All walks of life. All clergy, doctors and lawyers, teachers. Abuse transcends all occupations,” he said. “We have to give the young children and teenagers who have been abused to have the courage to come forward and report.”