If you watched or read the Fox5 report on the recent allegations regarding a Chevy Chase karate teacher you heard or saw this statement at the end of the article....Detectives would like to identify and speak to these victims captured on the videos to determine possible criminal acts that may have occurred. Victim information will be confidential and victims are strongly urged to call investigators.
The Parents' Coalition regrets to inform Montgomery County parents and guardians that the above statement is not true. While Montgomery County Police may keep the names of victims confidential during investigations, when official public charging documents are filed in District or Circuit Court, the Montgomery County State's Attorney will not redact the names of children who have been victims of sexual abuse by adults.
The Parents' Coalition has found numerous examples of public charging documents where the first name, last name and birth date of the CHILD VICTIMS have been printed in the public charging documents.
Thinking that the failure to redact the names of these children was an error, we contacted the Montgomery County State's Attorney's office directly. We learned from the Montgomery County State's Attorney Division Chief Debbie Feinstein that the Montgomery County State's Attorney's office DOES NOT REDACT THE NAMES OF CHILDREN WHO ARE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE.
We know that other Maryland Counties do redact the names of children when they are the victims of sexual abuse by adults.
We are horrified and stunned that Montgomery County does not protect children who have been victims of sexual abuse.
In other words, by failing to redact the names of the victims of sexual abuse less victims will come forward, weakening the case in favor of the perpetrator, and discouraging future victims to follow suit. And last but not least, freeing the office's staff to work on more pressing issues.
ReplyDeleteSuch as: Justice Fairness and Equality
Deletehttps://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/345642825_191087980487885_409587795231116285_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=jRxglytTLpIAX9aBPQo&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAukFfpPJpo0mQZUqZit5p61iQSBluNqAZFBmrjyCS8EQ&oe=6467B465
PENALTY: A person who obtains a report in violation of this law or an officer who knowingly discloses a report to a person not entitled to access the report under this law is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 15 years or both!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat law are you referencing? There's no citation in this comment.
Deletehttp://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/sao/faq.html#Copyofpolicereport
DeleteUnauthorized release/receipt of incident reports is considered a felony, but releasing the names of underage victims is considered a routine matter.
This refers to Police Reports. What we are telling parents and guardians is that the State's Attorney releases the names of child victims when the Charging Documents are filed at the Courthouse. Charging Documents are made public when filed.
DeleteSo the right to privacy is trumped by the Freedom Of Information Act.
DeleteOur county ensures that we have a transparent government at the expense of the victims it is seeking justice for.
Nope. This has nothing to do with the Freedom of Information Act.
DeleteMontgomery County State's Attorney just won't protect children. Other Maryland counties DO, Montgomery County will NOT.
How can that be? The county people keep reelecting him.
DeleteThis is what the voters of Montgomery County want in their State's Attorney. If you think that child victims should be protected, then Montgomery County is not for you.
DeleteWell put!
DeleteIt's time to erect Warning Signs at the key routes leading into MoCo.
DeleteSo, the price for residing in the land of the elite and affluent is compromising the safety and welfare of your children.
DeleteSo the elected officials are a mere reflection of the population at large?
ReplyDelete.MCPS!!!! SODOMA!!!!!!GOMORRA!!!!!!...........BUT WHOSO SHALL OFFEND ONEOF THESE LITTLE ONES WHICH BELIEVE IN ME, IT WERE BETTER FOR HIM THAT A MILLSTONE WERE HANGED ABOUT HIS NECK, AND THAT HE WERE DROWNED IN DEPTH OF THE SEA...MATTHEW, 18:6.............................. NOT NEED LAWYER!!!!!!! ........... .(JUSTICE DIVINE) IS CAME SOON....................TODAY ANONYMOUS.............TOMORROW....TELL NAMES..
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Montgomorrah County Reverend!
Delete