On January 29, 2004, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee announced the establishment of an independent mediation system to address claims of diocesan clergy abuse of a minor. Between that date and December 17, 2004, the system has received 112 reports of abuse. Of those 112 reports, 47 have completed the mediation process and resolved their claims with signed mediation agreements. Another 22 are currently in the mediation process and an additional 9 are in the investigatory stage. Two claimants declined to pursue the mediation process and six claims were determined, after extensive investigation, to be unsubstantiated.

The remaining 26 claims were found to include:

• claimants of abuse by members of religious orders or other dioceses (13);
• claimants who were adults when the alleged abuse occurred (3);
• claimants who were family members or friends of the alleged victim (3);
• claimants whose abusers were found to be lay people, not clergy (3); and
• claimants who could not provide sufficient information about the alleged abuse for an investigation to be conducted (4).

With respect to the religious order claimants, each of these claimants was referred by the system’s administrators to a specific person to contact within the religious order involved in the alleged abuse. The religious order was also notified, without identifying the claimant, that there had been a report of abuse and that the system would provide mediation services to that order at their request. To date, one case involving a religious order has been mediated within the system and has been resolved with a signed mediation agreement.

With respect to the unsubstantiated claims, each claim was investigated by an independent investigator, one of three former Milwaukee police detectives who serve the system in that capacity. After extensive investigation, including interviews and document reviews, facts were not found that would lead one to conclude that the abuse was “more likely than not to have occurred”—the standard used in all claims to substantiate them.

The system continues to take reports of diocesan clergy sexual abuse of a minor. If you have been abused, please contact the system at 1-866-302-9215. All information is confidential.

CONTACTS:
EVA M. SOEKA, SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR, 1-414-259-3205: MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION EDUCATION, 1-414-288-5535
CHRISTINE HARRIS TAYLOR, INTAKE COORDINATOR, HARRIS & NELSON, SC. 1-866-302-9215

Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan’s Comments Regarding Independent Mediation System Update

"When I commissioned the independent mediation system, I was seeking a method to facilitate resolution between victims/survivors of clergy sexual abuse and the Catholic Church of southeastern Wisconsin," said Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan. "I believe this system is an effective way to reach resolution with people who have been abused by clergy members.

"Nothing can undo the harm of sexual abuse. Every time resolution is reached, whether with an individual or with a group, there is a very meaningful healing moment. The information shared during the mediation process is helpful as we continue to strengthen our outreach to victims/ survivors and their families.

"I am grateful to Eva Soeka, who designed the system; to all the individuals who are helping the Archdiocese of Milwaukee reach resolution with victims/survivors; and most especially, to the many victims/survivors who have participated in the mediation process and who have reported much satisfaction."