Support for California SB 894
We request your support for SB-894 (Min): Sexual Exploitation by a Member of the Clergy. This bill would bring California in line with 13 other states and the District of Columbia in establishing criminal statutes for sexual exploitation of adults by clergy, similar to existing laws governing sexual relationships between therapists or doctors and their patients. The current gap in protection leaves many individuals without the necessary support and resources to address the trauma and harm caused by these actions.
SB-894 aims to rectify this by extending legal protections to adults who are sexually exploited by members of the clergy. By recognizing and addressing the specific dynamics of power and trust inherent in these relationships, this legislation seeks to provide avenues for justice and support for victims abused by members of the clergy as adults.
The hearing for SB-894 is scheduled for April 9, 2024, and we are eager to secure letters of support as soon as possible.
How You Can Help:
1. Submit a message of support through the California Legislation Position Letter Portal by April 1, 2024.
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Set up your account, which is quick and easy.
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Once you sign in, you will be taken to a page like the image below.
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Under Select a Bill, enter Measure: “SB 894,” then click “Search.”
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Select Bill: “SB 894, Sexual exploitation by a member of the clergy.”
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Select Session Type: “Regular.”
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Select your stance: “Support.”
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Select a committee: “Public Safety.”
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Enter your stance: Write why CA should criminalize clergy sexual abuse of adults, and copy what you write to send it again in the next step. Then, click “Submit.”
2. Once you complete the steps above, please repeat them, but this time, select the committee: “Judiciary.”
3. Please also share this information with others you think will support this legislation.
Thank you for supporting this crucial initiative. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.
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