Statement on Report of Clergy Abuse in France and Call for a US Presidential Commission to Investigate Child Sex Abuse from Coalition of Advocacy Groups

October 07, 2021

Statement on Report of Clergy Abuse in France and Call for a US Presidential Commission to Investigate Child Sex Abuse from Coalition of Advocacy Groups

Recent news estimated 216,000 minors were abused by members of the Catholic clergy in France over the past seven decades. These eye-opening statistics are indicative of the unfortunate truth that child sex abuse is pervasive in our society and that such abuse is vastly underreported. Indubitably, the true number is higher - and this behavior is not limited to the Catholic Church, it is occurring throughout many institutions. It’s time for the United States to form a Presidential Commission to investigate child sex abuse, modeled after successful commissions in other countries such as Australia, in order to bring abuse claims to the surface.

CHILD USA Founder/CEO Marci Hamilton says that the government must hold institutions accountable. “Time for the U.S. to follow the lead of France, Ireland, U.K., and Australia and face up to the truth of entrenched institution-based child sex abuse. The #MeToo movement encouraged survivors to start speaking up. It takes government action for institutions to listen and change.”

"This report from France is the latest to bring attention to the systemic nature of clergy abuse cover-ups perpetrated worldwide, and we know that responses from responsible institutions have been woefully inadequate. It is time for the United States to follow in the footsteps of countries like Australia, Ireland, and the UK and commission a federal level investigation and Presidential commission in order to determine what went wrong in the past and how we can prevent similar horrors in the future," said Zach Hiner, Executive Director of SNAP.

“This is a critical moment for child protection,” said Darkness to Light President and CEO Katelyn N. Brewer. “Today, there are more people ready and empowered to take action on behalf of children than at any point in our nation’s history; it’s time for our government to step up to meet its constituents’ demands. The safety of children from sexual abuse and violence must become a legislative priority if we want our communities to thrive.”

“This report is another tragic example of the unmet responsibility of institutions to protect children. Professionals, advocates, and communities are stepping up to take action. It is now time for our government leaders to implement policies that prioritize the safety and wellbeing of children. The work of the Keep Kids Safe Coalition has outlined a blueprint to support such legislative priorities. The time to act is now,” said Lynn Layton, President and CEO, Monique Burr Foundation for Children.

The Army of Survivors Executive Director Julie Ann Rivers-Cochran: "The recent report from France is another example of how institutions systematically fail to address sexual abuse. Alongside our partners in the Keep Kids Safe Coalition, we urge the United States legislature to form a Presidential Commission that will focus on child and survivor wellbeing to dismantle systems that support abuse while preventing future occurrences. The impact abuse can have on child survivors is immeasurable, and as a country we must implement policies that put the safety of children first.”

CHILD USA, SNAP, Darkness to Light, Monique Burr Foundation for Children, The Army of Survivors, and Together for Girls are members of the Keep Kids Safe Coalition – a powerful collection of organizations united in the fight for child protection. The Keep Kids Safe Coalition will be releasing its Federal Policy Blueprint on November 18^th, which is World Day in Recognition of Prevention, Healing and Justice to End Sexual Violence Against Children & Adolescents. Included in this Blueprint is the call for a bipartisan commission established through executive order or through legislation to act as a catalyst to collect and synthesize data and research so that policymakers and the public would garner a comprehensive understanding of the crisis, the costs to society, and the potential to scale-up available solutions to prevent, heal, and ensure justice.

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Michael McDonnell published this page in Official SNAP Media Statements 2021-10-07 13:27:14 -0500

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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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