On Wednesday, Attorney General Phil Weiser released a special master’s report that determined at least 166 children were sexually abused from 1950 onward by 43 priests in three Catholic dioceses in Colorado.

Here is what Coloradans and groups that work with survivors of abuse have said about the news:

“I think this reflects a church-controlled under-reporting of the problem. It’s time to hold the Catholic Church, Boy Scouts, U.S. Olympic Committee and all other irresponsible institutions fully accountable for harboring abusers in their midst.” -Jenny Stith, executive director of the WINGS Foundation

“As someone who survived sexual abuse by a Catholic priest that shattered my life, faith and trust in others, I applaud the work of the previous Attorney General, Cynthia Coffman who began this investigation as well as the current Attorney General Phil Weiser and Special Master Robert Troyer’s current investigative work but I urge them to dig deeper to uncover cases the Church could be hiding especially within the Orders of priest, nuns, monks and others that were not part of this investigation so there is a complete reconcilation.” -Michael Carpino with Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP)

“Time and time again survivors are made to confront the misuse of institutional power and lack of accountability when seeking the truth about their abuse. This can be detrimental to a survivor’s healing. All institutions, from families, to churches, to national organizations, must center the needs of survivors if the epidemic of silence is going to end.” -Brie Franklin, executive director of the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA). 

“Two things can both be true: 1. Despicable things happened in our parishes, and at the time there were incredible failures to properly address them. 2. The Archdiocese of Denver in 2019 is much different than it was decades ago. We have taken huge steps to address this issue, and the report documents the dramatic decrease in known substantiated allegations.  We make no claim that the problem is forever solved, but rather are reminded today that we must remain vigilant to ensure our parishes and schools remain safe.” -Mark Haas, director of public relations for the Archdiocese of Denver

“Investigations such as this are not enough to change the incentive structure within Colorado’s public policy that currently encourages cover-up. Institutions know they don’t have to keep survivors quiet forever – just long enough for a short statute of limitations to expire. Colorado must also join states across the nation such as Arizona, California, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York in passing legislation which reforms the criminal and civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse.” -Zero Abuse Project

“We are grateful to the Attorney General’s office for its investigation into the serious harm caused by the Catholic Church. But because the report indicates that it’s likely that more wrongdoing has yet to be revealed, we encourage the AG’s team to continue investigating to hold child predators and the institutions that shield them accountable. We need to ensure no other child is ever assaulted by a trusted person in a faith community ever again.” -Interfaith Alliance of Colorado