Milwaukee mediation body receives 93 abuse claims; 37 mediated so far

Published: 2004-09-21

MILWAUKEE (CNS) -- Since the Milwaukee Archdiocese established an independent mediation system last January to address claims of clergy sexual abuse of minors, 93 reports have been received, according to a report issued Sept. 15 by Eva Soeka, the system's administrator. Of the 93 reports received between Jan. 29 and Sept. 10, 37 claimants have completed mediation and resolved their claims with signed mediation agreements, said the report. Soeka was appointed in September 2003 by Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of Milwaukee and charged with developing a dispute resolution system to address claims of child sexual abuse by diocesan clergy. In addition to Soeka, who is director of Marquette University's Center for Dispute Resolution, the mediation team includes an intake coordinator, three independent investigators and three mediators.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .