WE ARE PAVING THE WAY FOR AN ABUSE-FREE CHURCH

Washington Governor Ferguson

Signs Senate Bill 5375 into Law

On Friday, May 2nd, Governor Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5375 into law. It will take effect on July 27th. SB 5375 adds all members of the clergy as mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect. Washington State joins New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Guam, Texas, West Virginia, North Carolina and Oklahoma in not allowing clergy-penitent privilege as ground for failing to report child abuse. 

Currently, the Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the constitutional merits of this bill. We believe that SB 5375 is fair, that it is sadly necessary, and that it will hold merit. SB 5375 is about protecting our children. Child abuse cannot be stopped if it cannot be discovered. It will be up to Attorney General Brown to defend 5375 and reply to the Department of Justice on Washingtonian’s behalf.

In July 2023, Washington State’s Office of the Attorney General (AGO) served civil subpoenas pursuant to the Charitable Trust Act on the bishops of the 3 Catholic Diocese in the State of Washington to obtain the Church’s files pertaining to the clergy abuse of children. The bishops resisted and did not provide the requested documents. In June 2025, the AGO filed an action  in King County Superior Court to enforce their subpoenas. In July 2024  the Superior Court of King County ruled that the subpoenas could not be enforced due to an exception in the Charitable Trust Act. The AGO appealed this ruling to the Washington State Appellate Court and a hearing and decision on this matter is expected this Fall. We at CAP remain hopeful that justice will prevail and that the AGO appeal will be successful.

UPDATE ON ATTORNEY GENERAL/CATHOLIC CHURCH COURT APPEAL - 

who we are

CAP is a Washington State-based initiative of Ending Clergy Abuse, a global human rights organization dedicated to ending the Church’s structural mechanisms that enable abuse. We fight for survivors because we love our Church, and we are committed to cultivating an environment within the Catholic Church prioritizing safety, well-being, and dignity for all.

In the news

Featured
Abuse survivors defend WA law that feds slam as ‘anti-Catholic’
Abuse survivors defend WA law that feds slam as ‘anti-Catholic’

The Washington State Capitol building is seen last month in Olympia. On May 2, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed into law a new provision that adds clergy to the list of professions required to report child abuse or neglect to law enforcement. It does not protect what people say in confession. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times)

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Legislation requiring clergy to be Mandated Reporters of child abuse moving forward in Olympia
Legislation requiring clergy to be Mandated Reporters of child abuse moving forward in Olympia

“If a state cannot regulate religions,” said Sharon Huling, representing the Clergy Accountability Coalition, “then they should not be able to provide religions with exemptions either.”

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THERE ARE 10 DAYS LEFT TO INFLUENCE LAWMAKERS - MARCH 23, 2025
THERE ARE 10 DAYS LEFT TO INFLUENCE LAWMAKERS - MARCH 23, 2025

Only one hurdle remains, SB5375 must be sent to the House Floor and pass by a majority of votes by April 2nd in order for the bill to be sent to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

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PRESS RELEASES

Featured
Multi-faith Clergy Accountability Coalition Shocked to Learn that the DOJ is Characterizing Washington’s New Clergy Reporting Bill as “Anti-Catholic.”
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Washington’s Last Chance to Protect Children: Clergy Reporting Bill Heads to Final House Vote

SB 5375 must pass the House by April 2nd to end clergy exemption, states the Clergy Accountability Coalition, and hold religious institutions accountable for reporting child abuse.

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SEN. NOEL FRAME TO CATHOLIC BISHOP: ‘YOU’RE FAILING US’

SB 5375 continues to face resistance from religions that have used the clergy-penitent exemption to avoid reporting abuse. Proponents of the bill insist that no religious law should be above state law.

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fighting for survivors

The Catholic Accountability Project (CAP) is dedicated to advocating for justice for victims of clergy sexual abuse and holding perpetrators and those who enabled them responsible for their actions.