1,700 Priests Accused Of Sexual Assault Living Under Radar With No Oversight

Nearly 1,700 Catholic priests and other clergy members credibly accused of child sexual abuse are quietly living with little to no oversight from religious authorities or law enforcement, decades after the first wave of the church abuse scandal roiled U.S. dioceses, according to investigation conducted by the AP.

These clergy members now teach middle-school math, counsel survivors of sexual assault and live next to playgrounds and day care centers. Dozens have committed crimes since leaving the church, including sexual assault.

Victims’ advocates have pushed for more oversight of these clergy members, but church officials say they cannot legally do what’s being requested. And civil authorities like police departments say their purview is limited to people convicted of crimes.