SNAP Disappointed as New Title IX Policy Set to Take Effect on Friday
Efforts by state attorneys general to block a new Title IX rule failed this week and now the updated policy is set to go into effect on Friday. This is a disappointing legal decision that will not only make it more difficult for survivors to report campus assaults but will also negatively impact the safety of university communities.
Led by Pennsylvania, whose Attorney General is also actively investigating clergy sexual abuse, law enforcement leaders from 17 states and the District of Columbia failed this week in their attempt to delay the implementation of the new Title IX regulations. Despite government officials touting this new policy as a win for survivors, in our opinion these new rules will make it more difficult for victims to come forward, will add arbitrary and unclear definitions and guidelines, and will almost assuredly result in fewer, and slower, investigations into cases of sexual violence on campuses.
This new policy is not good for students, it is not good for parents, and it is not good for universities. We hope that other legal challenges are mounted against these dangerous new rules and that the regulations do not last long enough to do real damage to campus communities nationwide.
CONTACT: Zach Hiner, SNAP 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