SNAP Seattle recently learned that the Archdiocese of Seattle's pastoral outreach coordinator for the abused, Jessie Clayton Dye, is a lawyer. Ms. Dye is the first point of contact for all people presenting to the Archdiocese of Seattle with complaints of abuse by a priest or archdiocesan employee. She gathers information from trusting victim/survivors during these initial meetings. She records the survivor's personal information and provides it to other archdiocesan lawyers for use if the newly-emerging victim/survivor later decides to file a lawsuit. This arrangement was confirmed by archdiocesan spokesperson Mary Santi, representing Archbishop Brunett, at a news conference on September 5, 2003 in front of the chancery office in Seattle.
A newly-emerging survivor's vulnerability must never be intentionally taken advantage of or unintentionally violated by an inappropriately trained individual. Strict confidentiality is a universally accepted norm in the counseling profession.
The following letter is SNAP Seattle's demand to Archbishop Brunett that Ms. Dye, and all other archdiocesan lawyers, be removed from any therapeutic interaction with survivors. If the Archdiocese is going to provide therapy for victim/survivors, they should ensure that a truly qualified medical professional is holding the critical position of first contact with newly-emerging victim/survivors of clergy sexual abuse, and that their lawyers have no involvement in the therapy provided.
This troubling situation was also made known to the public in a news article by the Seattle Times on September 5, 2003:
"Bishop attacks media coverage of sex scandal"
by Janet I. Tu, Staff Reporter
SEATTLE CHAPTER www.snapnorthwest.org/seattle
September 5, 2003
Archbishop Alex J. Brunett
Archdiocese of Seattle
910 Marion Street
Seattle, WA 98104
Archbishop Brunett,
We represent victim/survivors of sexual abuse by clergy of the Archdiocese of Seattle. We are writing to you with grave concerns about the role played by Jessie Clayton Dye in responding to deeply wounded men and women who contact the archdiocese needing help.
On your archdiocesan website, you state "Our primary concern is care for the victims. We offer counseling to victims of abuse. We also continue to urge anyone with knowledge of or concern about clergy sexual abuse to call the Archdiocesan hotline." Like your brother bishops, have promised to provide pastoral care to anyone who might have been abused by any archdiocesan priest or employee, and you direct those seeking assistance to contact Ms. Dye.
Much to our distress, we have learned that Ms. Dye is, in reality, a lawyer in the employment of the Archdiocese. She is listed as an active member of the Washington State Bar Association ( www.wsba.org ) working for Catholic Community Services, 100 23rd Ave. So., Seattle, WA 98144. (WSBA Bar #: 7618)
When victim/survivors of sexual abuse by priests muster the courage to initially talk about their abuse, (often the deepest and darkest secret of their lives), they are very vulnerable and in need of true professional care. It is critical that their first contact be with a qualified therapist who is competent to deal with the array of problems suffered by sexual abuse victims: depression, PTSD symptoms, suicidal tendencies, etc. If not handled properly, victim/survivors can be driven to take their own lives, as has happened with Jeff Alfieri earlier this year and other clergy sex abuse victims in Washington.
We are very troubled that you have chosen to place in this critical role a lawyer, rather than a social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist or other experienced mental health professional. A newly-emerging survivor's vulnerability must never be intentionally taken advantage of or unintentionally violated by an inappropriately trained individual.
Survivors need an immediate and genuinely therapeutic response. Survivors also need the assurance that they are confiding in a professionally qualified counselor with no actual or potential "hidden agenda." Having a lawyer talk to them at this critical moment puts the archdiocese in an awkward position, open to real or perceived charges of impropriety, and of placing the church's legal defense above the survivors emotional needs.
In our view, children are safest when victims feel comfortable coming forward and reporting the crimes they endured. Victims are most apt to come forward when they believe they will be treated with compassion and dignity. Many victims, in our experience, do not believe they will be afforded such care if forced to disclose their victimization to an archdiocesan lawyer.
If even one hurting person is deterred from seeking help because of Ms. Dye's background as an attorney, isn't that reason enough to replace her with a competent mental health professional?
Given this troubling situation, we strongly suggest that the following steps be immediately taken:
1. Remove your lawyer, Ms. Dye, and all lawyers in your employment or influence, from the hotline and any initial contact with victim/survivors.
2. Contact all victim/survivors who have had any contact with Ms. Dye to date, and make sure they are aware that she is a lawyer employed by the Archdiocese. Also clarify what role (if any) she plays or has played with the archdiocesan review board.
3. Offer each victim/survivor the archdiocese is dealing with the option to begin a new course of reconstructive care with a qualified therapist of their choosing. All past, current, and future clinical aspects of their care will be paid and continue to be totally funded by the Archdiocese, with no obligation whatsoever to the victim/survivor.
4. Any interaction that Jesse Clayton Dye has had with the diocesan-appointed counselors of current victim/survivors in your program must be fully documented and the details of each contact and conversation with between them be provided in writing to each survivor.
5. Invite SNAP members to provide real input in the selection of a successor to Ms. Dye.
6. Include at least two SNAP members on the Review Board chaired by Mr. Terrence Carroll.
Again, we are deeply troubled by this problematic arrangement. We hope you will replace Ms. Dye soon with a more appropriately trained and more professionally experienced mental health professional, to better serve any wounded man or woman who has come to you seeking help.
Sincerely,
David Clohessy Scott J. Brady
SNAP National Director Seattle SNAP team member
314 566 9790 425.454.7769
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
National website: www.snapnetwork.org
Local Seattle SNAP website: www.snapnorthwest.org/seattle