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Show be jalt fake ribune LSI)E: East Wiley Edition Salt Lake City, Utah-V- ol. 232, No. 155 Wednesday Morning February 26, 1986 FruuSlylu: Speak Softh To My Dual Carburetor Judge's Nets Small-Tow- Big-Ci- ty n Girl Stardom Groups Pursue Justice From Different Paths VOCAL Backs Due Process In Abuse Cases , On SLAM Says It Just Wants Laws Upheld Bv Keri Schreiner Tribune Staff Writer April 4, 1984. Philip Prince and By Katherine Kapos Tribune Staff W riter Society's League Against Molestation doesn't necessarily disagree with Victims Of Child Abuse Laws, nor does it necessarily agree But more than either. Salt Lake and Davis county SLAM leaders prefer they not be mentioned in the same breath, or on the same newspaper page, with his new wife Molly kissed goodbye before departing for what they thought would be a routine day at the office-- It was a day neither will forget, and one that would turn into a continuing nightmare. Mr. Prince was arrested that day less than a mile from their Clinton home on charges of sexual abuse of a child. More than 19 months later, the case was dropped for lack of evidence, but not before the Princes had spent $10,000 on the investigation they say officials neglected to conduct. The charge, that Mr. Prince had molested his daughter, The Princes was filed by his maintain that she fabricated the charge upon hearing of their plans to seek custody of the child. "I was hurt, was hurt really bad. I had my daughter an average of 250 (days a year for the 22 years previous to the day they arrested me and from that time on I haven't seen her, Mr. Prince said. Though his visitation rights were returned upon dismissal of his case, Mr. Prince claims his has refused to let them see the girl. The Princes believe they were victims of a "misuse of the law, though "not necessarily the law itself." This belief led them to seek support through Victims of Child Abuse Laws Inc. VOCAL is a national organization dedicated to protecting the presumption of innocence through proper investigation, indictment and prosecution of child abuse laws. Among the group's tenets is that an inquiry be completed in "a thorough, manner with the belief that all persons deserve to be treated as innocent until proven guilty." While the Utah chapter of VOCAL is less than a year old, members say the public misunderstands their intent. My goals for VOCAL have nothing to do with protecting the perverts. The objective is to help people falsely accused know that they're not alone and provide some moral support," said Judy Lagerstrom, of the Utah chapter of VOCAL. Ms. Lagerstrom said that the idea that VOCAL is out to weaken child abuse laws and protect child abusers See E'-2- , Column 1 VOCAL Apparently sparked by comments leaders made on a lot al radio talk show, which SLAM leaders say were against them, league of fir oils seem irritated, but anxious to a. oid any conflict between or joint mention of the two citizens groups ' VOCAL has tried to imply in the radio shows) that they have a din i t problem with us. which they don t. said Davis County league Beverly Harper They want ato and I think thev re using us to get it " The nationwide group lobbies lor stricter prison terms for convicted molesters, child education programs and relaxed rules of evidence in e hi Id sexual abuse cases. In Utah, the league helped with the passage of several bills during the 1985 state leg VOCAL e. Fre-sider- islature ex-wi- fe But the group's leaders say thev are not at odds with the other organization. which advocates better safeguards against prosecution of the innocent. As far as VOCAL is vice-preside- Seeking the proper balance between the rights of abused children and defendant adults is a constant effort. Local chapters of two national organizations, VOCAL and SLAM, focus on the needs of each side, but they dont always disagree with the other. concerned, the last thing we want to ' do is see sometne falsi y aeeusc-f said Jane Brewer, vice president the Salt Lake chapter 1 think we are for the same things, putting abusers behind bars " Ms Brewer, who commented freely when first contacted by The Tribune', said that SLAMs goal is to see that the laws are upheld and that people who abuse children are brought to justice. So many people arc frustrated because their case is going nowhere in the courts They don't know where else to turn " SLAM members often attend child sexual abuse hearings and trials to 'monitor" the proceedings "We realize that families are going through trying times and if the the y want to fight and put the abuser behind bars, we are here." Ms. Brewe r explained Were really not a s.gilante group. she added "We don't go into the courtroom and demand justice. The following dav. af:er speaking See L 2, Column 1 |
