A powerful lobby blocked changes in Pa. child sex abuse laws. Here’s who and here’s why.
Survivors of child sexual abuse hug in the Pennsylvania Capitol while awaiting legislation to respond to a landmark state grand jury report on child sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018 in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)
Two powerful groups lined the halls of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building on Oct. 17.
One group included people who identify as victims or survivors of Catholic priest sex abuse.
The other group represented the Catholic church and its insurance companies, which could have been on the hook for millions in reparations to such victims.
The victims and survivors argued for a bill that would let people sue the Catholic church over decades of abuses that were covered up.
The lobbyists argued that the bill was unconstitutional, and that the church could be left bankrupt, unable to help the community.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
