The FFRF Action Fund commends the Washington Legislature and Gov. Bob Ferguson for enacting a crucial piece of legislation to provide victims of abuse another avenue for justice.
Senate Bill 5375 was a long time coming for Washington legislators, and this year the bill finally crossed the finish line. The newly enacted law requires members of the clergy to report to law enforcement or the Department of Children, Youth and Families when they have reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect. Prior to the new law, clergy were not required to report abuse or neglect if they learned about it during confession. Removing the so-called “confessional loophole” brings the state of Washington up to speed with other states that have removed such loopholes.
Working with a coalition from Washington that was spearheaded by the Catholic Accountability Project, FFRF Action Fund actively supported this bill. In addition to mobilizing our advocates in Washington through action alerts and submitting written testimony to the Legislature, FFRF Action Fund State Policy Manager Ryan Dudley provided live testimony on the bill. The efforts from all proponents of the bill helped transform the bill into law — something that seemed impossible just a few years ago. Similar bills have been introduced and considered numerous times previously, but have failed to pass through the Legislature.
Against strong opposition from the Catholic Church, bill sponsors state Sens. Noel Frame and Claire Wilson (among others) rallied alongside survivors of clergy abuse to tell the Legislature that the church’s religious dogma should never impede progress for justice owed to abuse survivors. By enacting this law, Washington state reinforces the principle that safeguarding children transcends religious doctrines. It affirms that no institution or individual is above the law when preventing harm to minors.
“This law is way overdue,” says FFRF Action Fund President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “I was repulsed to see how strongly the Catholic Church lobbied against supporting victims of abuse, especially when so much of that abuse comes from their own. I’m thankful that members of the Legislature decided it was time to hold them accountable.”
FFRF Action Fund will continue to stand for victims of abuse at the hands of clergy members. We strongly believe that no religion should shield abusive members in their ranks in the way that the Catholic Church has done for so long.
FFRF Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization that develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church. It also advocates for the rights and views of nonbelievers, endorses candidates for political office, and publicizes the views of elected officials concerning religious liberty issues.