National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
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NAASCA Highlights
EDITOR'S NOTE: Occasionally we bring you articles from local newspapers, web sites and other sources that constitute but a small percentage of the information available to those who are interested in the issues of child abuse and recovery from it.
We also present original articles we hope will inform the community ...
NAASCA part of a coalition asking President Obama to institute a National Commission on the Sexual Abuse of Children
by Bill Murray, NAASCA founder and CEO
NAASCA has joined with over two dozen other child abuse awareness and advocacy organizations in calling on President Obama and his administration to create a National Commission dedicated to addressing the pandemic of child abuse in America.
In addition, a number of the coalition members wrote their own letters to the new advocacy group members, in support of the petition that went to the White House.
Here's what I wrote on NAASCA's behalf: .
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse www.NAASCA.org
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Nov. 16, 2015
Dear Sirs and Madams:
For years now, we've presented child abuse and trauma as a Civil Rights issue, and challenged the Federal Government to address what we believe should be among the highest priorities in our country, by creating a Department of Children's Security.
We've discussed it in those terms over and over on our web site, talk shows and social media.
We have a singleness of purpose at NAASCA, to address issues related to childhood abuse and trauma including sexual assault, violent or physical abuse, emotional traumas and neglect -- and we do so from two specific perspectives:
1) educating the public, especially as related to getting society over the taboo of discussing childhood sexual abuse, presenting the facts that show child abuse to be a pandemic, worldwide problem that affects everyone
2) offering hope for healing through numerous paths, providing many services to adult survivors of child abuse and information for anyone interested in the many issues involving prevention, intervention and recovery
In addition, we've been following and repeatedly presenting both the Australian Royal Commission's work (ever since its inception) and the important ongoing Statute of Limitations work at SOL-reform.com, with articles and radio show discussions, for several years.
The National Association of Survivors of Child Abuse represents ALL victim/survivors of ALL types of child abuse and trauma. Our NAASCA family members represent perhaps the most inclusive and diverse global activist/service groups one can find.
Please include us as co-signators in all your efforts.
We feel very strongly about these issues, a National / Federal Commission / Department and SOL Reform in ALL the States, and we'd be delighted to help you present these topics and perhaps engage even more interest in the issues of child abuse and trauma.
We invite fellow activists and survivors to consider appearing as "special guests" on our Internet-based, six-night-a-week "Stop Child Abuse Now" talk radio shows (now also being aired in several broadcast radio markets).
Perhaps you'd like to be a "special guest" some time on our talk radio show. They're easy to do -- you just call in. If interested, send me an email to the address below and I'll forward some additional info.
We need to stop the silence. Together we can do what we cannot do alone!
Announcing the formation of
a coalition asking President Obama to institute a National Commission on the Sexual Abuse of Children
On Monday, November 16, 2015, a press conference was held across the street from the While House in Lafayette Park to announce the formation of a coalition to ask President Obama and his Administration to institute a National Commission on the Sexual Abuse of Children.
A group called Catholic Whistleblowers and over 25 other organizations (NAASCA is one of them), each dedicated to child protection, gathered together holding signs to show their solidarity.
Professor Marci A. Hamilton coordinated the event, and sent a letter to
President Obama on the group's behalf, a call for the formation of a National Commission to stem the epidemic of child
sex abuse in the United States.
Here's the video of the press conference, hosted by the Catholic Whistleblowers: .
PRESS CONFERENCE
Lafayette Park
(across the street from the White House)
Nov 16, 2015
Following over a decade of trying to work from the inside of the Catholic Church, the Catholic Whistleblowers are asking the President to institute a broad-ranging federal commission to study child sex abuse in all settings, including the family.
In a related press release, Marci, a NAASCA family member who leads the effort at SOL-reform.com, noted that:
“This is a historic moment when child protection groups from across the country that address many different aspects of child sex abuse band together to seek federal action. The visionary Catholic Whistleblowers have spent over a decade trying to bring their own church to full account for child sex abuse and they now turn to the President and his Administration because self-policing does not work.
So long as the bishops spend lobbying dollars to block victims from justice by fighting statute of limitations reform, the bishops will be hounded by their own secrets. The truth about abuse in every setting in the United States is needed for every American.”
Founding member of Catholic Whistleblowers, survivor, and former priest, Robert Hoatson , explains his views simply: “There is no excuse for sexual abuse of children. The United States must place the safety and security of children as one of its highest priorities.”
Fr. James Connell, who is a senior priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and a founding member of Catholic Whistleblowers, says, “The bishops of the Catholic Church in the United States proclaim a commitment to protect children and young people from sexual abuse, yet their behavior speaks otherwise. For example:
(1) there is no publicly confirmed verification that all priests who have sexually abused a child have been removed from ministry;
(2) neighborhood communities are not warned about the presence of a sexually abuse priest in their midst; and
(3) the bishops fail to support efforts in state legislatures to reform statutes of limitations.
Hence, since the Catholic bishops are not leaders who can protect minors from sexual abuse within the church and throughout the country, our federal government must do so; now is the time for a national commission on sexual abuse of children.”
Over 25 groups (including NAASCA) join the Catholic Whistleblowers in their request: ,
American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) (Michael L. Haney)
American Humanist Association (Roy Speckhart, Matt Bulger)
Bishopaccountability.org (Terry McKiernan, Anne Barrett Doyle)
Catholic Whistleblowers (Rev. Jim Connell, Tom Doyle, etc.)
Child Friendly Faith Program (Janet Heimlich)
Child Justice, Inc. (Eileen King)
Foundation to Abolish Child Sex Abuse (FACSA) (John Salveson)
Foundation for Survivors of Abuse (FSA) (Deondra Brown)
Horace Mann Action Coalition (HMAC) (Peter Brooks)
Justice4PaKids (Maureen Cislo)
KidSafe Foundation (Sally Berenzweig)
Lauren's Kids (Lauren Book)
MaleSurvivor (Christopher Anderson)
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (NAACSA) (Bill Murray)
National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) (Rev. Anthony Evans)
National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC)(Jeff Dion)
National Organization of Forensic Social Work (Viola Vaughan Eden)
National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan (NPEIV) (Sandi Capuano Morrison)
National Survivor Advocates Coalition (NSAC) (Kristine Ward)
Peaceful Hearts Foundation (Matt Sandusky)
Road to Recovery (Robert Hoatson)
SNAP (David Clohessy, Barbara Blaine)
Speaking Truth to Power (STTOP) (Ruth Moore)
Stop the Silence (Pamela Pine)
Survivors and Clergy Leadership Alliance (Peter Isely)
Together We Heal (David Pittman)
Turning Point Women's Counseling and Advocacy Center (Kristen Woolley)
Vertigo Charitable Foundation (Valerie Gibson)
Voice Today (Angela Williams, Marlan Wilbanks)
