SNAP Applauds as State Representatives in Michigan Introduce Legislation Aimed at Empowering Survivors
State legislators in Michigan have introduced a reform bill aimed at changing the state’s archaic statute of limitations laws so that more survivors will be empowered to come forward, name their abuser, and protect other children and communities. We applaud this effort and hope it receives the bi-partisan support it needs to succeed.
We are grateful to State Reps. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township), Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights), and Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) for introducing the “Survivors Empowered Bill Package.” We strongly believe that statute of limitations reform is a critical step towards both supporting survivors and helping prevent future cases of sexual abuse. These bills will help update the laws in Michigan, bringing them more in line with science and data about how and when survivors of childhood sexual abuse report what happened to them.
Michigan recently reformed its SOL laws, but only in a very narrow way, tailored to support the survivors of Larry Nassar. We are glad that legislators have chosen to again take up this issue and broaden their reforms to benefit all victims across the state. We applaud this move.
In other states, we have seen reform efforts like this met with furious opposition from institutions like the Roman Catholic Church. We hope that church officials will not use their vast wealth and influence to lobby against this effort in Michigan. Instead of using their power to fight progress, Catholic leaders can instead use their influence for good by encouraging survivors to come forward, make a report to police and prosecutors, and start healing.
CONTACT: Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director ([email protected], 517-974-9009)
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
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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