As the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops prepares to release a report estimating the number of nationwide sexual abuse victims and perpetrators Friday, priest abuse organizations are heavily criticizing its accuracy.
Figures from Wisconsin dioceses' reports indicate about 112 priests and clergy members have child abuse allegations and at least 323 abuse claims have been made in the state. Both Wisconsin and national numbers reflect alleged abuses from 1950 to 2002.
However, Mark Salmon, spokesperson for the victims group Survivors Network of Those Abused By Priests, said the abuse and victim numbers are underestimates.
\[The report] is put together by the bishops and is paid for by the bishops, so the numbers we are going to see on Friday are still going to be shocking, but they are going to be on the conservative side,"" he said.
The reports only reflect allegations of archdiocese priests, according to Salmon, leaving nearly half the priests in the Milwaukee area unaccounted for.
Salmon also criticized the upcoming report for excluding the names of priests accused of sexual abuse.
""People want to know if their priest has abuse allegations, but [dioceses] know that if perpetrators are named, more victims will come out,"" he said. ""Only about 10 percent of victims actually report it.""
Kathleen Hohl, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, said the report is another example of the church making a ""substantial effort"" to provide a safe environment for children and Catholics in the state of Wisconsin.
""Anyone with a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor is not allowed to practice active ministry regardless of when the allegations occurred,"" said Hohl.
A diocese training program has been implemented for anyone working with minors, whether in a classroom or in the church. The training program acts as a screening process to identify signs that could lead to sexual abuse.
But the training and screening program has received much criticism, according to Salmon, who said the churches need to be ""completely transparent"" before they can fully address sexual abuse problems.
""The report is themselves turning around and patting themselves on the back,"" said Salmon. ""It's a step in the right direction, but not nearly enough.""
The Madison diocese has made $1.6 million in settlements to 19 priest abuse victims, according to a press release. All of the money came from the Diocese Self-Insurance Program.
