IL--Victims push for stronger child sex abuse laws
Victims push for stronger child sex abuse laws
They predict: “Hastert will try to get out early”
Group says “Give us more time to expose predators”
It backs both new federal plan and state reform too
SNAP also honors one of Hastert’s victims who spoke up in court
WHAT:
Carrying signs and childhood photos, in the wake of Dennis Hastert’s imprisonment, abuse victims march through downtown Chicago and hold a news conference.
They will
--praise victims and others who helped get the ex-House speaker convicted, and
--urge correctional officials to look with “heightened skepticism” on what they say is a “likely move” by Hastert to seek early release for alleged health reasons
They will also
--announce their support for two federal proposals to reform the statute of limitations, and
--urge Illinois lawmakers to also relax the state’s “predator-friendly” abuse laws.
WHEN:
Sunday, June 26. Meet at 12:45 pm
WHERE:
In Chicago, meet at 12:45 pm at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart, 350 West Mart Center Drive and walk to the Illinois State Office Building (James R. Thomson Center), 100 W. Randolf St., Chicago by 1:15pm. (The group will march down Wacker E. to Clark S. streets)
WHO:
A group of adults who were abused as kids by clergy, teachers and others and belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), which is holding its annual conference this weekend.
WHY:
1) On Wednesday, Hastert reported to prison. But SNAP predicts that he will seek an early release claiming ill health. The group wants correctional officials to scrutinize any such claim vigorously.
“In our experience, predators often try to ‘game the system’ and exploit any loophole they can to get special treatment, pretending to be sick or have poor memories or otherwise be virtually helpless and non-threatening,” says Barbara Dorris of SNAP. “We strongly suspect Hastert will do this too and we want prison officials to examine any claims like this very carefully.”
“Our focus is on deterring future crimes and cover ups, not on making Hastert suffer,” explained Barbra Graber of SNAP. “When we harshly penalize adults who hurt kids or hide crimes, we prevent more adults from hurting kids and hiding crimes. This is being prudent, not punitive.”
2) To prevent future cases like Hastert’s, SNAP also wants the Illinois state legislature to pass a law letting anyone who was abused at any time to file civil suits to expose those who committed and concealed the crimes.
The group says “the archaic, arbitrary, predator-friendly statute of limitations is the single greatest obstacle to stopping child sex crimes and cover ups.” It notes that several states, including Pennsylvania, are debating relaxing their statutes and several have already done so using civil “windows” (Minnesota, Hawaii, California and Delaware).
3) Nevada Senator Harry Reid has introduced legislation authorizing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to give grants to states that eliminate statutes of limitations on laws involving child sexual abuse, giving victims more time to come forward and report their abusers.
4) Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is sponsoring a bill to reform the federal statute of limitations on child sex crimes, giving victims of sexual violence more chances to expose those who commit and conceal sexual abuse in civil courts. SNAP wants Illinois public officials, especially those who repeatedly deplored Denny Hastert’s crimes in the news media, to push hard for the measure’s adoption.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/sen-schumer-pushes-extend-statute-sex-crimes-victims-article-1.2609238
SNAP supports both federal proposals.
“Child sexual assault is a national problem and needs national solutions,” said Stephanie Krehbiel of SNAP.
5) At SNAP’s conference, Scott Cross will be honored by an award. He is one of Hastert’s victims who spoke at the ex-politician’s sentencing hearing.
CONTACT:
Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected]), Danielle Stefanick ([email protected]), Carly Petrusky ([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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