Boarding School in Missouri under Investigation Following Allegations of Child Abuse and Neglect
We applaud the decision by law enforcement officials in Missouri to open an investigation into the Circle of Hope Girls’ Ranch. We know that the best way to get to the bottom of cases of abuse in religious institutions is for those claims to be probed by police and punished by prosecutors.
This story is also a clear example of why a dangerous loophole in Missouri law must be closed. Circle of Hope is a Christian-based organization, so it was exempt from state laws that would enforce best practices and proper licensing. If legislators in Missouri truly care about the safety of children, they will work to close this loophole immediately and ensure that all schools and youth-serving organizations are held to the same, high standards for child abuse prevention. We hope that other legislators in Missouri will join with Rep. Keri Ingle to explore this situation and update laws so that no other children are exposed to this kind of abuse.
Stories like this are a reminder that child abuse and neglect is an ongoing issue, one that can only be addressed by being vigilant, watching out for signs of abuse and neglect, and reporting any suspicions of wrongdoing to law enforcement. We are proud of the brave girls who came forward to share their stories of abuse and are confident that children are safer today because of them.
CONTACT: Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director (517-974-9009, [email protected])
(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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