Survivors group urges reporting of sexual abuse
For immediate release Wednesday, November 29
Statement by Esther Hatfield Miller, Southern California Leader, SNAP, The Survivors Network, (SNAPNetwork.org) (562) 673-9442, estherhatfieldmiller@gmail.com
“Conservative movement urges new rules to prevent, report sexual abuse,” Times of Israel, November 29, 2017
https://www.timesofisrael.com/conservative-movement-urges-new-rules-to-prevent-report-sexual-abuse/
SNAP applauds the coalition of Conservative Jewish groups who issued a statement on November 28 condemning those who use positions of power to take sexual advantage of others.
It is especially commendable that this statement urges Conservative Jewish organizations to develop policies to prevent, report, and investigate incidents of sexual misconduct. SNAP has repeatedly urged religious groups to develop such policies – and to encourage those who experience sexual abuse in a religious context to report that abuse to legal and criminal authorities. Policies developed by religious groups to deal with sexual abuse should, in SNAP’s view, always include strong encouragement to abuse victims to report their abuse to legal and criminal authorities first and foremost.
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 25,000 members. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
CONTACT
Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP Managing Director (314-503-0003, [email protected]), Joelle Casteix 949-322-7434, [email protected] or Melanie Sakoda 925-708-6175 [email protected]
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