17 Women Allege Ivy League University Covered Up Doctor's Sexual Abuse
The suit filed today against Columbia University and its hospital is yet another example of an institution both trying and failing to protect itself and its reputation when dealing with allegations of sex crimes. In a case that echoes that of Larry Nassar at Michigan State, the suit against Dr. Robert Hadden shows that a man in a position of power abused that position to harass, intimidate, and violate vulnerable women. Making matters worse, others in similar positions of power acted first to protect their institution instead of those who had been victimized. Despite having been made aware of Hadden’s abuse in the 1990’s, minimal action was taken and Hadden was able to continue working at Columbia until 2012. Had officials acted to protect vulnerable women instead of their own reputations, it is likely that this case would never have been filed.
The doctor pleaded guilty in 2016, but only in relation to two victims. As today’s lawsuit shows, however, the inaction from officials at Columbia allowed Dr. Hadden to abuse far more than just those two women.
We applaud the brave women who have brought this case forward and are trying to hold accountable those who enabled and covered up for this serial abuser. We hope that by coming forward they will empower other victims of not only Dr. Hadden, but others who may have been similarly victimized.
CONTACT: Tim Lennon, SNAP President ([email protected], 415-312-5820), Zach Hiner, 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