The word “rape” was spray-painted on the walls of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Wednesday morning, days after the Bakersfield Police Department said it did not find “any allegations of criminal behavior with corroborative evidence” in regard to Monsignor Craig Harrison in a case of alleged sexual battery.
The word was spray painted on the church in at least three places. A garbage can was also set on fire outside the church.
BPD officers estimated the church suffered at least $1,000 in damages due to the vandalism.
On July 25, the BPD announced it found no “criminal behavior with corroborative evidence” in a case of alleged sexual battery by Harrison against a minor in the 1990s, and the case is closed at this time. BPD found no hard evidence, such as photos or videos, to corroborate the claims. This means the BPD is not recommending charges to the Kern County District Attorney’s Office.
Full story at Bakersfield.com.
Apparently the person claiming sexual battery did the correct thing — they went to the civil authorities. If the Church referred the person to the authorities, kudos to the Church. In my opinion, the abuse crisis had two parts. The abuse and the cover-up. I’m not certain which was worse.
As to the vandalism, perhaps some security cameras should be installed, hopefully to catch any future offenders.