SNAP Applauds as Rhode Island Police Create Clergy Abuse Hotline
State police in Rhode Island have taken a major step forward in helping investigate cases of clergy abuse by creating a confidential hotline for survivors, witnesses, and whistleblowers. We applaud this move and hope that other states around the country will follow suit.
In creating this hotline, state police have sent the message to survivors that they are there to help and are willing to provide the tools and resources that will make it easier for survivors to come forward and report their abuse. Making a report to law enforcement about sexually violent crimes can be a very challenging thing for survivors to do, so we are grateful for any effort which helps ease the burdens that survivors bear.
We believe that the establishment of this hotline will help keep children in Rhode Island safer. We hope that anyone who has any knowledge or suspicions about cases of abuse will be emboldened by this announcement and will find the courage to come forward, make a report, and start healing. The hotline can be reached at (401) 764-0142.
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)