abuse | WITF

October 25, 2021 | 5:54 PM

Fayette County priest pleads no contest to abusing 11-year-old altar boy

A western Pennsylvania Roman Catholic priest has pleaded no contest to indecent assault that began when the victim was an 11-year-old altar boy. Prosecutors said the Rev. Andrew Mark Kawecki of Greensburg will have to register as a sex offender for 10 years after entering the no contest plea Monday before a Fayette County judge.

By The Associated Press

March 24, 2021 | 5:01 AM

Public defenders, whistleblowers break silence on abuse allegations at Delaware County Juvenile Detention Center

The Delaware County Office of the Public Defender and elected officials, along with the whistleblowers who came forward earlier this month, broke their silence Tuesday regarding allegations of abuse of children and teenagers by staff.

By Kenny Cooper/WHYY

February 16, 2021 | 7:36 AM

After state blunder, Pa. abuse victims ask: ‘Who the hell are we supposed to trust?’

When the Pennsylvania Department of State failed to advertise the proposed constitutional amendment that had been passed by the legislature, it halted a march toward justice for thousands of victims abused in the commonwealth.

By Laura Benshoff/Keystone Crossroads

December 28, 2020 | 10:28 AM

Domestic violence shelters see an uptick in calls, worry about dwindling funding

Domestic violence shelters in western Pennsylvania say they’re seeing an increase in hotline calls, amid worries that a difficult and isolating winter is on the way.

By Lucy Perkins/WESA

June 2, 2020 | 6:09 AM

Domestic abuse can escalate in pandemic and continue even if you get away

By Ina Jaffe/NPR

April 28, 2020 | 11:49 AM

Child sexual abuse reports are on the rise amid lockdown orders

Lockdown orders are first and foremost public health and safety measures. But statistically speaking, home is not the safest place for every young person.

By Anya Kamanetz/NPR

March 24, 2020 | 6:45 PM

With isolation, abuse activists fear an ‘explosive cocktail’

By Jocelyn Noveck/Associated Press

February 11, 2020 | 5:00 AM

Attorneys expand lawsuit seeking abuse information from Pa. dioceses

They’re adding new plaintiffs from the Philadelphia, Altoona-Johnstown, Greensburg and Harrisburg dioceses.

By Katie Meyer/WITF

December 3, 2019 | 10:30 AM

Surge of new abuse claims threatens church like never before

“The survivors coming forward now have been holding on to this horrific experience all of their lives."

By Bernard Condon and Jim Mustian/The Associated Press

November 10, 2019 | 8:15 AM

Runner’s abuse allegations embolden other female athletes

Mary Cain’s plaintive story of harassment and abuse while she was part of Alberto Salazar’s training group has emboldened other former Oregon Project athletes to share their stories.

By William J. Kole/The Associated Press

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