This article discusses sexual assault. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can call RAINN’s national sexual assault hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for confidential support.
MADISON, WIs. — Attorney General Josh Kaul released an update on the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Clergy and Faith Leader Abuse Initiative Thursday, as the initiative nears its three-year anniversary.
What happens to the reports?
After the initiative launched, Wisconsin DOJ victim advocates underwent specialized training on helping victims of clergy abuse.
Once Wisconsin DOJ receives a report, a victim specialist evaluates it; if the victim said they are willing to have the Wisconsin DOJ contact them, a victim specialist will reach out to them and provide them appropriate resources. A team then evaluates the report and decides what appropriate next steps would be, such as “follow-up questions for the survivor, gathering of additional documents or referral to local law enforcement for further investigation.” All reports undergo this team evaluation.
“I can say that I truly don’t think I could have gone through with [being interviewed about the abuse] without [the] advocacy and support” of the DOJ victim specialist, one anonymous survivor said. They said the process felt “safe and comfortable.”
What impact has the initiative made?
As of April 24, 2024, the Wisconsin DOJ Clergy and Faith Leader Abuse Initiative has received 274 reports. Of those reports, 111 were made over the phone and 163 were made online.
Wisconsin DOJ said many of the reports received were first-time reports, who has never reported their experiences to anyone. At least 76 had been reported to religious authorities only; at least 21 were reported to law enforcement only. Another 42 had been reported to both while 66 had been reported to neither. The other 23 were listed as "unknown."
State of Wisconsin v. Remington Jon Nystrom
One survivor reported being abused by faith leader Remington Nystrom at a Wisconsin church camp. The survivor said they had never reported the abuse to law enforcement. After the report was made, a victim specialist reached out to discuss what options they had. A multi-disciplinary team (MDT) evaluated the report, determining it should be referred to law enforcement. The survivor agreed. Wisconsin DOJ sent the report to a local district attorney (DA) and sheriff’s office to be further investigated.
The report was investigated and in Feb. 2022, the Waushara County DA filed charges. Before the trial, in April 2023, Nystrom pled no contest to and was convicted of second-degree sexual assault of a child. In July 2023, Nystrom was sentenced to seven years in prison and an additional 10 years of extended supervision.
State of Wisconsin v. Theodore McCarrick
Another survivor reported abuse by Theodore McCarrick, a formal Catholic Church cardinal. With the survivor’s consent, an MDT referred the report to local law enforcement to be investigated further. After interviewing the survivor, with help from the Wisconsin DOJ, law enforcement referred the case to a local DA.
In April 2023, McCarrick was charged with one count of fourth-degree sexual assault. The alleged assault in the case happened in April 1977.
“The complaint alleges that McCarrick engaged in repeated sexual abuse of the victim over time, including the charged incident that involved the alleged fondling of the victim’s genitals while staying as a guest at a Lake Geneva residence,” Wisconsin DOJ said.
In Jan. 2024, a court determined that McCarrick was not competent to stand trial. Proceedings were suspended but the case’s status will be reviewed at a hearing on Dec. 27 later this year.
John Cullinan
Three survivors reported alleged they were abused by Catholic priest John Cullinan in the 1970s. Cullinan, who is deceased, worked in the La Crosse diocese. None of the three survivors had ever reported the abuse to law enforcement.
An MDT evaluated the cases should be sent to the diocese with the survivors’ consent. The diocese reviewed and investigated the information. In Dec. 2022, the church added Cullinan to its list of credibly accused clergy members.
Survivors urged to continue reporting
Wisconsin DOJ urged survivors to continue submitting reports of clergy abuse via its tip line at 1-877-222-2620 and its online reporting tool.
“Through this initiative, Wisconsin DOJ continues to work to support survivors and independently review clergy and faith leader abuse in Wisconsin,” said Kaul. “If you have information about clergy and faith leader abuse, I encourage you to submit a report through the initiative’s online reporting tool or to call the toll-free tip line.”
“I am deeply grateful for the work of the Wisconsin DOJ in the Clergy and Faith Leader Abuse Initiative. When I first decided to come forward and tell the truth of my decades old abuse, I was terrified … The victim services specialist was my first contact with the DOJ and the process was one of great support and compassion. … My hope is that victims who have remained silent with their abuse stories will go the DOJ first and begin their journey towards healing,” one anonymous survivor said.
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