In the latest development, the defense team for convicted
pedophile, Douglas Perlitz, is attempting to lessen the sentence by claiming, according to the court document , that Mr. Perlitz's ten year abuse of
street boys in Haiti he raised monies to school and shelter was due to
his struggles with homosexuality and the fact he was a victim of "a
dark and abusive relationship" he developed with a Jesuit priest at Fairfield University shortly after
his arrival on campus in 1988.
One can imagine how the children of Haiti must have suffered at the hands
of these two predators in Haiti. Most Haitians know that sexual abuse
by foreign tourists, charity workers, pastors and priests in Haiti is
pandemic. HLLN sources report that out of every 10 Haitian families, more
than half, educated in Haiti, have been molested by a priest, a missionary
or charity worker. This generation of Haitians must put a stop to this
vile abuse and it begins right here on December 21, 2010 at the sentencing
of pedophile, Douglas Perlitz.
Recall that a year ago, referring to the Douglas case, HLLN wrote in the
article entitled The Collar of Impunity: Sexual abuse of Haiti children by
Priests, Charity Workers, that:
"A recent report about sexual abuse of children maintains
that for 60 years Catholic priests systematically raped 36,000 Irish
children. In another recent related revelation the headlines announced:
"Abuse claims against Jesuits reach 500." If this level of
sexual abuse is possible in Catholic Ireland or even in the United States,
imagine what totally unregulated, ex-patriot Catholic priests have been
doing in Haiti and Africa for centuries!...
According to just this one small look at things in the US, more than
500 people have filed claims accusing Jesuits of sexually abusing children
across the Northwest (United States) ..Among them were claims by 110
Alaska Natives...
In Haiti, the issue of the Catholic's church, other religious orders
and charity workers' sexually abusing Haitian children has barely been
exposed. But it has gone on, with impunity, for centuries.
In 60years Catholic priests systematically raped 36,000 Irish children
- if this level of sexual abuse is possible in Catholic Ireland, imagine
what perverted Catholic priests have been doing in Haiti and Africa
for centuries!"
Folks, sending a deterrence message to protect our children
from these malicious and hateful predators; helping the children survivors
of Douglas Perlitz from sexual abuse by Jesuit and other Catholic priests,
pastors and charity workers in Haiti, cannot be overstated, must be our
priority and goal on December 21, 2010 at the sentencing of Perlitz. We
say enough abuse. No more impunity for victimizing impoverished Haitians.
Period, no comma.
We'd like everyone to please circulate HLLN's request to write to Judge
Arteton asking for the maximum sentence on December 21, for convicted
pedophile, Douglas Perlitz.
In the latest article from the Connecticut Post, it’s also
reported that:
“Sources
said Monday that the judge has received dozens of letters calling for
a harsh sentence from the Haitian community. Those letters come as a
result of requests made by the Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network headed
by (Ezili Dantò)/Marguerite Laurent and Henri Alexandre, a retired state
assistant attorney general.
But Perlitz's defense countered with a letter-writing campaign of its
own. His lawyers said dozens of people have written Arteton on Perlitz's
behalf. "Some supporters of PPT have in the past described Doug
Perlitz as the `face of Christ on Earth,' " noted Grudberg.
"One of the great difficulties in this case is how to reconcile
the Douglas Perlitz who is described in such exceptional and glowing
terms in those letters with the Douglas Perlitz who has admitted engaging
in sexual misconduct," the attorney wrote.”
HLLN
stresses that, for the minor boys Perlitz abused over a period of 10-years
and the voiceless Haiti community, both at home and abroad, Perlitz was
a thug and the worst of all possible predators. He preyed on poor, homeless
boys with no ability to defend themselves. He use funds raised in their
names to barter for sex and take away these small children's childhood
and innocence. Douglas Perlitz cannot, by any stretch of the imagination,
be viewed as the “face of Christ on Earth.” That is simply not only slanderous
to the great Nazarene but calculating, indecent, mendacious and shameless.
The only regret Douglas Perlitz seem to have is that he got caught.
In
fact, at Ezili's HLLN we wonder how many other poor Haiti boys, besides
the eight boys and the up to 13 minors the prosecutors say they can prove
Perlitz molested were victims who were bribed not to speak out. Mr. Perlitz
was so remorseless, so merciless, so arrogant in his abuse that he actually
continued to be with the victims by having them be brought to him in the
neighboring Dominican Republic, after a warrant for his arrest was issued
in Haiti and he couldn't risk getting caught in Haiti. Court documents
also show evidence of odious and vindictive behavior such as victim bribery,
threats, cover-up and witness tampering on Mr. Perlitz's part.
It’s critical that the Ezili Network and all supporters of justice make
a bigger effort, ramp up the letter writing to Judge Arteton asking for
the maximum sentence and put a stop to this detestable attempt to circumvent
responsibility and avoid justice.
Also, those in East coast, please consider attending the court hearing
as part of the Network delegation to lend the Douglas victims your moral
support.
There is no reason why we cannot go beyond dozens of letters to Judge
Arteton. Please let's not miss this opportunity to make a just difference.
Thank you for giving voice to the voiceless:
Action Requested: Demand maximum sentence and fines be imposed against pedophile
Haiti charity worker, Douglas Perlitz. Sample letter to judge
provided. Free fax info provided. You may send two faxes per day free
of charge.
BlackCommentator.com Columnist, Ezili Dantò/Marguerite Laurent is President, Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network. Click here to contact Ms. Laurent.
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