Office of Inspector General report on the PA Department of State's failure to meet its constitutional mandate released, SNAP calls out the Senate
Today the acting Secretary of State for Pennsylvania released the State Inspector General's report on an investigation into the clerical error that blocked voters from casting their ballots on an amendment to allow survivors of child sexual assault to file civil claims. While the report found no evidence that the oversight was deliberate or intentional, the mistake crushed the hopes of many survivors who had expected this referendum to be decided this past election day, May 18th. Sadly, the Senate refused to take action to correct this clerical error.
While we are frustrated that this unintentional mistake occurred, we are even more frustrated with the Pennsylvania Senate. They continue to fail child sex abuse victims as survivors seek justice, accountability, and transparency. The Senate calendar still has HB 951, which would open a "window to justice" for victims, listed under second consideration. However, Majority Leader Kim Ward refuses to bring this bill to the floor for a vote. We again urge Senator Ward and President Pro Tempore of the Senate Jake Corman to allow this piece of legislation to make amends for the devastating mistake that kept the amendment off the ballot this month and which the Senate refused to correct earlier.
While we are beyond disappointed with the actions of the Senate, we are encouraged by the tenacity of survivors and advocates who have never given up hope and who show up time and again to share their stories of pain and loss. We hope this report serves as a reminder that wrongs need to be corrected, especially when devastation is once again inflicted unnecessarily on the state's child sex abuse victims.
CONTACT: Mike McDonnell, SNAP Communications Manager (267-261-0578, [email protected]), 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
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