AUS - Victims blast Toowoomba principals
- Victims blast Toowoomba principals
- They failed to take action on dangerous child predator
- SNAP wants them to personally do outreach to victims
- And they want to know where the principals are now
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a footpath news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will
- demand information on two principals who knew of abuse allegations against a Toowoomba tennis coach and did nothing, and
- urge the principals to personally reach out to victims of the coach and beg others who may have seen or suspected his crimes to come forward to police
WHEN
Wednesday November 28 at 2:15 p.m.
WHERE
On the footpath in front of Toowoomba District Office of Department of Education Training and Employment, 178 Hume Street, Toowomba
WHO
One or two members of an international support group called SNAP (the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priest) including an American woman who is the organisations president and founder.
WHY
Parents of children abused over the course of five years by a tennis coach in Toowoomba have recently found out that two different principals were aware of the coach’s impropriety, but did not warn parents or students. Now, leaders of an international support group for victims of abuse are demanding answers.
Leaders of SNAP are asking that Education Queensland come forward and explain why these principals were apparently not disciplined for their inaction involving this 74-year-old tennis coach who has been charged with abusing four children between 2004 and 2009. The tennis coach, who has gone unnamed in media reports, is apparently from Rangeville and abused four girls aged between nine and 12.
According to a recent article in the Chronicle, two different principals had conversations with the tennis coach about his “inappropriate behavior,” but neither warned police or parents about the man. Apparently, one of the principals no longer works at the same school.
SNAP wants some accountability for these principals. They should explain what they knew, when they knew it, and why it went unreported.
Parents in Toowoomba are upset that the principals in the case have gotten away with avoiding explanations and punishments. SNAP is echoing that sentiment.
“It’s simply not right that the people at the top are able to escape scot free when they had a hand in these young girls being abused,” said Blaine. “There’s a loss of innocence here that cannot be replaced, but these principals get to carry on like nothing happened.”
http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/parents-blast-principals-over-handling-of-sex-abus/1629487/
http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/man-on-child-sex-charges/377778/
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director