Psychotherapist to help child sexual abuse victims in Haiti

Therapist to meet with Perlitz victims in Haiti

Michael P. Mayko

Updated 07:15 p.m., Wednesday, May 23, 2012

• 
  Rev. Paul Carrier and Douglas Perlitz with Hope Carter of New Canaan, who was one of the biggest benefactors for the Haiti Fund which bankrolled Project Pierre Toussaint. Photo: Contributed Photo, CP / Connecticut Post Contributed

HARTFORD -- A Miami psychotherapist who heads up a nonprofit organization to assist sex abuse victims will be meeting with 22 Haitian street boys who claim their were assaulted by Douglas Perlitz over a 10-year period.

The disclosure came during a news conference Wednesday in which Mitchell Garabedian, a Boston lawyer who specializes in sexual abuse cases involving clergy, announced the filing of the 21st federal lawsuit against Perlitz for sexual abuse.

The suit also names as defendants the Rev. Paul Carrier, Perlitz's mentor who helped him create the Project Pierre Toussaint program to educate, feed, shelter and clothe homeless boys in Cap-Haitien, and Hope Carter, a New Canaan philanthropist. The program shut down in 2009 just weeks before Perlitz's arrest by U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

In the suit, Garabedian alleges that both Carter and Carrier saw the latest plaintiff, Jimmy Jesula, with Perlitz in the latter's bedroom. However, the suit does not claim Carter or Carrier saw Perlitz engaging in sex with Jesula.

Jesula, a soccer player, claims he was assaulted by Perlitz over a four-year period beginning when he was 13.

"I haven't seen the suit," said Timothy P. O'Neill, a Boston lawyer representing Carrier, who has been suspended from his clerical duties by his Society of Jesus order. "These are just allegations."

Carter's lawyers did not return calls for comments.

So far 22 victims have filed suit against Perlitz. They have also named the following defendants: Carter; Carrier; the Society of Jesus; the Order of Malta, a Catholic charity which provided the initial grant to fund Project Pierre Toussaint; the Haiti Fund, the fund-raising arm of Project Pierre Toussaint; Fairfield University, for whom Carrier served as director of campus ministry and from where Perlitz graduated; and 12 unnamed defendants.

Lawyers for those defendants have filed papers seeking to dismiss the cases on various legal grounds. They deny wrongdoing on their clients' part.

Garabedian said he intends to file another suit next month.

"There's no telling how many victims are out there," Garabedian said. "Who knows how long children will be coming forward against Douglas Perlitz. Pedophiles don't stop until they are caught."

All of the cases have been reassigned to U.S. District Judge Robert Chatigny in Hartford.

In 2010, Perlitz pleaded guilty to traveling from the U.S. to Haiti to engage in sexual conduct with a minor and was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in federal prison.

In late June, Georges Bossous Jr., founder and head of Word and Action, Inc., will spend a week in Haiti meeting individually with the victims and family members.

Bossous, who has a masters degree in psychology, use the interviews to formulate a preliminary treatment plan for each victim. He will be accompanied by Paul Kendrick, a Fairfield University alumnus who has been advocating for the Perlitz victims for the past three years.

During the meetings, Bossous, who is Haitian and speaks French and Creole, said he will be looking for specific signs during his interviews.

"Are they suffering from shame? Guilt? Are they having problems sleeping, eating with self-esteem? Are they exhibiting self-destructive tendencies? These are things I want to know," he said.

The June visit was made possible by a $5,000 donation from an anonymous Massachusetts donor.

MMayko@ctpost.com; 203-330-6286; http://twitter.com/mmayko2011

Lutheran pastor, Rev. Nancy Kraft, defends a child molester and ignores the pain and suffering of child sexual abuse victims in Haiti

Judge denies bond for former N.C. pastor accused of committing sex acts with children

“He's a good person who did a lot of good work in his life and made a serious mistake, His making that mistake -- he's done everything he can to remedy that and turn his life around.” Rev. Nancy Kraft with the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Charlotte, NC

The first question we have for Rev. Nancy Kraft and members of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Charlotte, NC is "What About the Victims?"

What are you doing to provide comfort and support to the children who were sexually abused by Larry Bollinger in Haiti?

There may be other victims of Bollinger who will be afraid to come forward if all they see is the adults they love and respect praising Bollinger and calling or insinuating that the victims are liars.

Here are the facts.

Bollinger admitted to his psychotherapist that he sexually abused these children.

Have you thanked the psychotherapist for stopping a child molester?

U.S. ICE/Homeland Security investigators conducted interviews with the victims in Haiti.

A grand jury has indicted Bollinger on charges of child sexual abuse.

Here's what you can do to help, Rev. Kraft:

1) Offer your public support to the children in Haiti who have come forward to report their abuse.

2) Tell them you are sorry for what Bollinger did to them. Thank them for their courage.

3) Make sure that everyone who ever worked with or had contact with Bollinger knows that he has been arrested for child sexual abuse.

4) Urge the parents of children who came in contact with Bollinger to talk to their children.

5) Urge anyone who has information or suspicions about Bollinger's past behavior to contact law enforcement authorities.
______________________________________________________

May 22, 2012

WSOC-TV The Herald

On Monday afternoon, a federal judge denied bond for a former Gaston County pastor accused of sexual acts with children, according to The Herald's news partner, WSOC-TV.

About 25 to 30 supporters of Larry Bollinger came to federal court, including his wife. There were so many people that there weren’t enough seats in the courtroom.

Bollinger is accused of molesting four girls in Haiti when he was a missionary there in 2009.

Prosecutors said two of the girls were as young as 11 and 12, and that he engaged in various sexual acts with them.

But it was Bollinger who came forward. His lawyers and friends said he sought counseling for sex addiction, told a psychotherapist what happened and that therapist went to authorities.

The pastor at the church he attends now said she's disappointed with the judge's decision Monday.

“He's a good person who did a lot of good work in his life and made a serious mistake,” said Rev. Nancy Kraft with the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. “His making that mistake -- he's done everything he can to remedy that and turn his life around.”

Bishop Chibley Langlois of Les Cayes, Haiti is ignoring an allegation of child sexual abuse at Pwoje Espwa.

Bishop Langois is a keynote speaker at the Haiti Conference.

Father Marc Boisvert, founder and Executive Director of Pwoje Espwa, can run but he can't hide.

May 19, 2012

Father Marc Boisvert
Founder and Executive Director
Pwoje Espwa                                                                                                                       Les Cayes, Haiti

Dear Father Boisvert,

Child protection advocates from the U.S. are searching for the name and location of the mission retreat you will be attending as part of your "six month sabbatical" from Pwoje Espwa.

We want to ask you face to face why you covered up allegations of child sexual abuse at Pwoje Espwa.

You may have been able to ignore us in Haiti. You can't hide here.

Here are the facts:

You continue to refuse to issue a public report about the incident of inappropriate conduct between an adult and a naked eleven year old boy that occurred at your orphanage in Haiti.

You asked a third party to tell us that some "lawyer" conducted an investigation and no sexual abuse occurred. You won't tell us the lawyers name and credentials.

Your lawyer is not trained to interview child sexual abuse victims with the same skills as a forensic investigator.

You refuse to make the boy's parents or guardian in Haiti aware that child protection advocates from the United States want to speak with them about what happened to their son.

You refuse to issue a copy of your orphanage's  child protection policy and code of behavior. There are 600 Haitian vulnerable children in your care. Just because you say everything's ok doesn't make it so. We want to see for ourselves.

In short, Father Marc Boisvert, you have done everything you can to cover up and whitewash an incident of child abuse.

I gotta tell you, I sincerely hope that the "lawyer" who conducted the child sexual abuse investigation at Pwoje Espwa is not the one and only, Attorney Robert Morris from Portland, Maine.

From the moment we reported that Brother Robert Campbell "scrubbed all over" a naked eleven year old child in the shower, Pwoje Espwa Board Member, Robert Morris, has acted out in the most curious of ways.

In response to concerns about the welfare of the child, Attorney Morris has been defiant, angry, bullying, unresponsive and uncaring.

Is this the response of a healthy and responsible adult? I think not.

One more thing. Those of us who are experienced in the ways of the Catholic Church when it comes to dealing with priest child abusers or those who cover up child abuse are used to Catholic priests being sent on "sabbatical" to remove them from a problem situation.

More often than not, the sabbatical becomes permanent.

It will be interesting to see if you do, indeed, return to Pwoje Espwa in six months.

Meanwhile, I and others will continue to hold you responsible and accountable to the truth.

You can run, Father Boisvert, but you can't hide.

Sincerely,
Paul Kendrick

In an effort to fight international sex trafficking, Congress passed the PROTECT Act in 2003, which amended the existing law to include activities conducted on foreign soil.

18 USC § 2423 - TRANSPORTATION OF MINORSf.

(a) Transportation With Intent To Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity.— A person who knowingly transports an individual who has not attained the age of 18 years in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any commonwealth, territory or possession of the United States, with intent that the individual engage in prostitution, or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, shall be fined under this title and imprisoned not less than 10 years or for life.

(b) Travel With Intent To Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct.— A person who travels in interstate commerce or travels into the United States, or a United States citizen or an alien admitted for permanent residence in the United States who travels in foreign commerce, for the purpose of engaging in any illicit sexual conduct with another person shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 30 years, or both.

(c) Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct in Foreign Places.— Any United States citizen or alien admitted for permanent residence who travels in foreign commerce, and engages in any illicit sexual conduct with another person shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 30 years, or both.

(d) Ancillary Offenses.— Whoever, for the purpose of commercial advantage or private financial gain, arranges, induces, procures, or facilitates the travel of a person knowing that such a person is traveling in interstate commerce or foreign commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 30 years, or both.

(e) Attempt and Conspiracy.— Whoever attempts or conspires to violate subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) shall be punishable in the same manner as a completed violation of that subsection.

(f) Definition.— As used in this section, the term “illicit sexual conduct” means

(1) a sexual act (as defined in section 2246) with a person under 18 years of age that would be in violation of chapter 109A if the sexual act occurred in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States; or

(2) any commercial sex act (as defined in section 1591) with a person under 18 years of age.

(g) Defense.— In a prosecution under this section based on illicit sexual conduct as defined in subsection (f)(2), it is a defense, which the defendant must establish by a preponderance of the evidence, that the defendant reasonably believed that the person with whom the defendant engaged in the commercial sex act had attained the age of 18 
years.

Investigative reporting by Haitian journalist, Cyrus Sibert, prompts U.S. ICE/Homeland Security investigators to interview child sexual abuse victims in Haiti. Haitian National Police and United Nations investigators are indifferent.

Posted: 18 May 2012 07:29 PM PDT

Haïti-Pédophilie : Progrès dans le dossier Geilenfeld -- Une enquête fédérale américaine est en cours ; plus de témoins acceptent de parler ; les victimes reprennent confiance…malgré l'indifférence de la PNH et de la MINUSTAH.

Depuis plus d'un an Cyrus Sibert RéseauCitadelle-Haiti enquête sur les allégations accusant Michael Geilenfeld de pédophilie sur des enfants haïtiens. Après un an, une enquête fédérale américaine ICE/Homeland Security est en cours. Si dans le dossier Douglas Perlitz la Police haïtienne et la Minustah s'étaient montrées déterminées à accompagner les victimes, cette fois ci,  les démarches auprès de la Police Nationale d'Haïti - spécialement de la Direction Centrale de la Police Judiciaire (DCPJ), n'ont rien donné. Même quand les plaintes déposées par des victimes avaient provoqué quelques interviews au Bureau de la BPM (Bureau de Protection des Mineures) au local de la DCPJ, rien n'est fait pour assurer le suivi et la protection de ces enfants des Centres d'Accueil Saint-Joseph de la zone métropolitaine et de Jacmel. Selon nos renseignements, ils sont de plus en plus terrorisés par un prédateur traqué qui voit venir la fin de son règne.

La MINUSTAH qui s'était montrée active au coté de la Police haïtienne (BPM) dans l'enquête sur Douglas Perlitz au Cap-Haïtien, n'est pas motivée par le Dossier Geilenfeld. La Mission semble ne plus vouloir mettre les projecteurs sur les abus sexuels qui représentent son talon d'Achille en Haïti. Car, avec l'implication de ses membres dans des scandales un peu partout à travers le pays, faire campagne contre la pédophilie, renforcer la société haïtienne dans la lutte contre ces pratiques, n'est pas une bonne idée.

En effet, l'objectif principal est atteint. Grace au travail de Réseau Citadelle, appuyé par des militants « anti-pédophilie » américains menés par l'infatigable Paul Kendrick de Portland (MAINE), l'opinion publique nationale ou internationale est au courant des exactions subies par des enfants haïtiens dans les quartiers défavorisés depuis 29 ans. Pressuré par notre campagne en faveur des enfants victimes, le Conseil d'Administration du Projet a accepté en décembre 2011 le principe d'une enquête privée pour établir la vérité. Proposition qui fut rejetée par le groupe - susmentionné - des défenseurs des victimes des Maisons d'Accueil Saint-Joseph dirigées par Michael Geilenfeld. 

LA BONNE NOUVELLE ! Depuis le début de l'année 2012, une enquête fédérale américaine est en cours ; plus de témoins acceptent de parler ; les victimes reprennent confiance ; car, le tabou qui présentait Geilenfeld comme un homme puissant capable de paralyser toute action judicaire contre lui est tombé. Nous avons pu contourner ses manœuvres habituelles qui consistaient à paralyser la presse et la justice haïtienne durant 28 ans.  

Nous nous excusons auprès de nos lecteurs pour le peu d'information diffusée sur ce dossier. Cela rentre dans notre méthode de travail : Cherchant à faire la lumière sur les accusations, nous choisissons d'adopter une stratégie de communication appropriée. Pour ne pas mettre en danger les témoins, pour ne pas fournir au camp adverse des données et surtout pour ne pas donner l'impression de chercher à influencer l'enquête, nous sommes obligés de travailler dans le secret.

Nous vous invitons à méditer sur le texte qui suit et à communiquer toute information supplémentaire àreseaucitadelle@yahoo.fr

Renseignez vous sur le dossier à partir de http://www.dossiergeilenfeld.blogspot.com/ &www.reseaucitadelle.blogspot.com
__________________________________


Google Translation:

Haiti-Pedophilia: Progress in the folder Geilenfeld - A U.S. federal investigation is under way more willing to talk to witnesses, victims regain confidence ... despite the indifference of the HNP and MINUSTAH.

For over a year Cyrus Sibert RéseauCitadelle-Haiti investigates allegations of pedophilia Geilenfeld accusing Michael of Haitian children. After a year, a U.S. federal investigation ICE / Homeland Security is in progress. If the folder Douglas Perlitz the Haitian police and MINUSTAH had proved determined to accompany victims, this time, the representations of the National Police of Haiti - especially the Central Directorate of Judicial Police (DCPJ) were unsuccessful. Even when complaints of the victims had caused some interviews in the Office of the BPM (Office of Protection of Minors) at local DCPJ, nothing is done to monitor and protect these children from the Welcome Centers St. Joseph metropolitan area and Jacmel. According to our information, they are increasingly terrorized by a predator hunted who foresees the end of his reign.

MINUSTAH who had been active in the side of the Haitian police (BPM) in the investigation of Douglas Perlitz in Cap Haitien, is not motivated by dossier Geilenfeld. Mission no longer seems to want to put the spotlight on sexual abuse that represent an Achilles heel in Haiti. For, with the involvement of its members in scandals everywhere across the country, campaign against pedophilia, strengthen Haitian society in the fight against this practice is not a good idea.

Indeed, the main objective is reached. Through the work of Citadel Network, supported by militant "anti-pedophilia" U.S. led by the indefatigable Paul Kendrick of Portland (Maine), the national or international public opinion is aware of abuses suffered by Haitian children in neighborhoods disadvantaged for 29 years.Squeezed by our campaign for child victims, the Board of Directors of the Project in December 2011 accepted the principle of a private investigation to establish the truth. Proposal that was rejected by the group - above - victim advocates of Shelters St. Joseph directed by Michael Geilenfeld.

THE GOOD NEWS! Since the beginning of 2012, a U.S. federal investigation is underway and more witnesses willing to talk; victims regain confidence, for the taboo that had Geilenfeld as a powerful man capable of paralyzing judicial action against him dropped . We were able to circumvent its usual maneuvers that were to paralyze the press and the Haitian justice for 28 years.

We apologize to our readers for the lack of information provided on this issue. This comes in the way we work: Seeking to shed light on the charges, we choose to adopt an appropriate communication strategy. Not to endanger the witnesses, not to provide the opposing party data and above all not to give the impression of trying to influence the investigation, we are forced to work in secrecy.

May 17, 2012 - A U.S. pastor has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of travelling to Haiti to have sex with children.

Le Ré.Cit. - Réseau Citadelle

La Reconstruction d'Haïti passe par des réformes institutionnelles et structurelles en profondeur dans les domaines suivants: Douane, administration publique, justice & lois, respect du droit de propriété, libre concurrence, accès au crédit bancaire... Des millions sans des réformes auront aucun impact sur la pauvreté et le développement durable.

JEUDI 17 MAI 2012

Dirty pastor who 'travelled to Haiti for sex with minors' is indicted by federal grand jury --- The landmark criminal case, "United States v. Douglas Perlitz," established legal and law enforcement precedents by which a U.S. citizen will be prosecuted by the U.S. Justice Department for crimes committed against children, no matter where in the world the crimes are committed

By HELEN POW

PUBLISHED: 12:53 EST, 17 May 2012 | UPDATED: 13:09 EST, 17 May 2012

A U.S. pastor has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of travelling to Haiti to have sex with children.

Larry Michael Bollinger, from Gaston, North Carolina, 'did knowingly travel... from the United States to Haiti, and engage in illicit sexual conduct' with two minors, according to a bill of indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina on Tuesday.

Records show Bollinger was booked into the Mecklenburg County jail late Wednesday evening.

Behind bars: Gastonia pastor is in jail after being indicted on charges of having sex with two minors in Haiti

The alleged sexual acts occurred in 2009, between August 1 and November 18, according to the Charlotte Observer.

Bollinger, a Lutheran pastor for 33 years, had been working as a coordinator with The Lazarus Project, a mostly Lutheran ministry that runs a vocational school and medical clinic in the Caribbean country.

More...

• Mother who read Bible versus to attacker as he slashed her throat forgives son, 15, and 16-year-old 'hitman', he hired in plot to kill her
• 
  

Current coordinator of the Project, Rev. Ron Qualley, told the Charlotte Observer that Bolliger 'was immediately removed from that position' when the sexual accusations first came to light in 2009.

'This is not anything we condone,' he said.

But Rev. Qualley insisted Bollinger 'did very good work' during his time with the Project, which has been operating in Haiti for 16 years.

Church: Larry Michael Bollinger was previously pastor at the Christ Church in Stanley, North Carolina

He said that while the accusations had come as a shock, the ministry had not been impacted and continued to do its work.

'The people of Haiti depend on our good work,' he said. 'We're trying to do the best we can.'

Bollinger and his wife had done volunteer work with the House of Mercy, a residential care facility in Belmont for individuals in the advanced stages of AIDS, according to the Charlotte Observer.

He is also believed to have been the pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Stanley in the past.

Read more:

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2145902/Dirty-pastor-travelled-Haiti-sex-minors-indicted-federal-grand-jury.html#ixzz1vBZ3awoK 

____________