MA--Musician accused of sexual harassment to give workshop at Tanglewood; victims respond
For immediate release, May 15, 2017
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda, volunteer member of the Board of Directors of SNAP, the Survivors Network (925-708-6175, [email protected])
A Boston University music professor who faces a lawsuit alleging that he sexually harassed two college students will be giving a workshop for students aged 14-20 at Tanglewood in western Massachusetts.
http://www.masslive.com/news/boston/index.ssf/2016/04/read_the_complaint_filed_by_mu.html
Eric Ruske was named in a civil lawsuit filed last year by a veteran attorney who has represented hundreds of victims of sexual violence.
SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is extremely disappointed that Boston University/Tanglewood is once again allowing Ruske to interact with these very young students despite the serious allegations against him.
http://www.snapnetwork.org/ma_victims_urge_bu_tanglewood_to_oust_accused_musician
Last April the Wyoming Symphony suspended its contract with the musician after learning of the lawsuit.
More recently, the University of Mary Washington Philharmonic Orchestra dropped Ruske from its concert lineup, although spokesperson Hilary Kanter could not confirm whether or not the controversy surrounding the lawsuit led to the decision.
No matter what Boston University/Tanglewood officials do or don’t do, we hope every person who knows anything about the allegations against Ruske will find the strength and courage to come forward.
Ruske’s alleged victims are represented by Boston attorneys Carmen Durso and Sara Elizabeth Burns (617-728-9123, [email protected]).
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 20,000 members. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact – Melanie Jula Sakoda (925-708-6175, [email protected]), Joelle Casteix (949-322-7434, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003, [email protected])