Catholic Teacher in Camden NJ Sexually Abuses Student at Least 60 Times
A teacher at a Catholic school in Camden, New Jersey, has been arrested for sexually abusing a student at least 60 times over the course of a year and a half. This is the 13th arrest of a Catholic staffer this year, demonstrating an ongoing need for Church officials to better prevent cases of sexual abuse. It is also a reminder of the important role that secular law enforcement plays in prevention.
Bridget Sipera was a literature teacher at Camden Catholic High School until she was arrested this week for grooming and sexually abusing one of her students. This case is a reminder that it is not just clergy but also lay employees of the Church that sexually abuse children and the vulnerable. It is an example of why we call for all abusers – not just priests – to be included on diocesan lists.
This case is also a reminder that sexual abuse is ultimately an abuse of power. Ms. Sipera had power over the student she abused, and she wielded that power for her own ends. We are grateful that she has been arrested and removed from her position so that other children cannot be hurt by her. We hope that Catholic officials from the Diocese of Camden and Camden Catholic will take steps to ensure that all alumni and community members are informed about this news and that others who may have been hurt by either this teacher or anyone else are encouraged to come forward and make a report to law enforcement.
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