There are a few “Religious Liberty” laws that the Republicans use to hide sexual abuse that takes place in churches. Many people regard the First Amendment as one that protects the basic rights. In states that have a Republican basis, these laws protect religious rights at the expense of the child.
Six states currently require that a Catholic clergy report any kind of abuse that is known involving children. What is worse is that there are 33 states that ban priests from making reports of suspected child abuse that are heard in confession. These policies mostly started in 2002 when there were several Catholic priests accused of sexual relationships with children of the church.
Rebecca is a woman who was harassed by an older member of the church when she was 14. Attorneys in the case suggested that the incident be swept away because there would be many people hurt if the truth was told.
She didn’t stop pursuing charges, but her abuser died in 2009. The only thing she has really won a right to do is testify in the case. At times, a priest who has committed a sexual act will confide in another priest, knowing that the one can’t tell the secrets that are told behind closed doors.