TN--Sex Abuse victims/advocates want church to act
"Remove Andy Savage from ministry,” SNAP tells HighPoint officials
"Any time someone in a position of authority abuses that power for sexual gratification, the victims suffer devastating consequences,” survivors declare
Victims’ group adds their voices to the outcry -- "Justice for Jules”
WHAT
Holding signs at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will urge HighPoint Church officials to:
-- remove Andy Savage from ministry for his actions while Jules Woodson’s youth pastor, and
-- acknowledge the serious damage caused by a minister’s boundary violations.
WHEN
Monday, January 29 at 11:00 a.m.
WHERE
On the sidewalk across from HighPoint Church, 6000 Briarcrest, Memphis, TN 38120 (corner of Sweetbriar and Briarcrest)
WHO
David Brown, a Volunteer Leader with SNAP, and at least a dozen supporters of Woodson. Brown is a survivor of clergy sexual abuse.
WHY
Officials of HighPoint Church have not removed Andy Savage from ministry despite the admission by Savage that he initiated sexual activity with Woodson, at the time a 17-year-old youth group member. This was an abuse of his power as an authority figure and should disqualify him from continuing to hold such a position.
Participants in this event believe that the failure to act is a direct sign that the Church does not take this type of boundary violation seriously, despite the serious damage it causes. By refusing to act, officials not only dismiss Woodson’s pain, they also discourage other abuse survivors within and without the church from coming forward.
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/37208415/its-very-hard-to-tell-your-story-woman-who-accused-memphis-pastor-of-sexual-assault-tells-her-story
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/09/us/memphis-megachurch-sex-assault.html
CONTACT
David Brown (901-569-4500, [email protected]), Kenny Stubblefield (901-596-2379)