GA--Victims abused as “missionary kids” meet in Atlanta
For immediate release: Thursday, April 16, 2015
For more information: Rich Darr cell phone: 815 370 4703, [email protected]
Abuse victims to hold meeting in Atlanta
“Missionary kids” were molested overseas
Their parents proselytized in developing nations
Children were put in ill-prepared boarding homes
Adults who were sexually, physically and emotionally abused overseas in Christian settings are holding an international conference this weekend (Apr 17-19) in Atlanta, GA.
The group, MK Safety Net, provides support to those who suffered while their parents were Christian missionaries in developing nations across the globe.
Their plight was detailed in an award-winning documentary film called All God’s Children.
http://www.allgodschildrenthefilm.com/The_Film.htm
Led by a minister, the group will hold a service of lament, called “A Time to Mourn. A Time to Grieve.”
One of the speakers will be Boz Tchividjian, a former prosecutor who is Rev. Billy Graham’s grandson. He heads a group called GRACE, Godly Response to Abuse in Christian Environments and blogs for the Religion News Service.
Other speakers include attorneys and mental health professionals.
“It’s an amazing group of people: men and women who were taken abroad as children when their devout parents became missionaries in developing nations,” said David Clohessy of St. Louis. He’s the director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. “These youngsters lived away from their moms and dads and were often treated brutally and abused repeatedly by ‘dorm parents.’”
“As adults, in the early/mid 1990s, these brave and courageous victims began to organize, reach out, support each other and expose the horrors they endured in these isolated settings,” said Barbara Dorris of SNAP. “We know MKSafety Net has given comfort and guidance to hundreds of adults who still struggle with the life-long impact of such horrific betrayal.”
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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