CA—Lawsuit against school district ends in mistrial, victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda of Moraga, East Bay Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175,[email protected])
A Contra Costa judge declared a mistrial last week after a jury could not agree on a verdict in the lawsuit brought against the Mt. Diablo Unified School District by 12 boys who were sexually abused by elementary school teacher Joseph Martin.
Members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, were extremely disappointed in this result, but also said that they “were proud of and grateful to all the brave kids who testified.”
The boys had accused the school district of ignoring warning signs that the teacher was a pedophile.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_29450215/joseph-martin:-civil-trial-begins
Martin was convicted in 2015 of molesting seven boys he taught at Woodside Elementary School in Concord between 2007 and 2013. He is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence, although he is appealing his conviction.
Despite this conviction, the school district argued at trial both that it had handled the earlier allegations appropriately, and that the boys had not been molested.
Melanie Jula Sakoda, the East Bay Director for SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, expressed her frustration with the verdict.
“I sat in the courtroom and listened to these kids testify. I can only echo what the judge in the criminal case said, ‘I believe these boys, I believe their testimony. They're not mistaken or confused.’ I also think the district’s 2006 internal investigative report was a smoking gun. I don’t understand why more members of the jury didn’t see that.”
The San Francisco Director for SNAP, Tim Lennon, chimed in, “Why aren't the parents of kids currently in the Mt. Diablo schools more concerned about this case? The district refused to own up to their mistake in failing to report earlier. They tried to argue that these boys weren’t abused, and/or that they weren’t damaged by what happened. This time, the district first endangered and then re-victimized these 12 boys. Next time, it could be their children.”
Sakoda concluded, "My heart aches for these brave boys, but I sincerely admire their persistence and the way they steadfastly told their truth. They are all winners!"
SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for sexual abuse victims. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who suffered abuse in all types of institutional settings, including schools, scouting and the military. Our website isSNAPnetwork.org
Contact – Melanie Jula Sakoda (925-708-6175, [email protected]), Tim Lennon (415-312-5820, [email protected]), David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected])
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
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