HI--New housing director subject of sex abuse scandal
Victims to mayor: Reconsider decision
New Housing Director subject of sex abuse scandal
Appointment creates “Hostile work environment” for city employees
Caldwell decision “imprudent,” may violate EEOC rules, letter says
In a letter to Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, victims of child sexual abuse say that the recent appointment of new housing director creates a “hostile work environment” for city employees and may violate EEOC rules.
Marc Alexander, who was appointed Director of the Honolulu Housing Office, resigned from another city position in 2012 when it was revealed that he had an unethical affair with a woman—that violated his position of power—while he was a priest in the Diocese of Honolulu. http://www.civilbeat.org/2017/02/caldwell-appoints-marc-alexander-to-lead-honolulu-housing-office/
In 2014, Alexander was successfully sued for child sexual abuse. That case settled in 2016, although evidence and secret personnel documents in the Diocese of Honolulu child sex abuse cases have not yet been made public. http://www.civilbeat.org/2017/02/caldwell-appoints-marc-alexander-to-lead-honolulu-housing-office/
The letter was written by members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPNetwork.org).
"Don’t the employees of the City Office of Housing deserve a boss who does not possibly pose an immediate risk to themselves and their children?” the letter stated. The letter goes on to say, "In a city as populous as Honolulu, we are confident that there are dozens of qualified applicants who have never been the subject of a sex abuse scandal.”
The letter goes on to say that Alexander’s appointment creates a “hostile work environment” for many city employees, especially those who are victims of sexual assault, and may be a direct violation of EEOC rule
The group also calls the appointment "reckless, tone deaf, and a slap in the face to survivors of sexual abuse and assault.”
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