MA--Musician accused of sexual harassment to give workshop at Tanglewood; victims respond
For immediate release, May 15, 2017
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda, volunteer member of the Board of Directors of SNAP, the Survivors Network (925-708-6175, [email protected])
A Boston University music professor who faces a lawsuit alleging that he sexually harassed two college students will be giving a workshop for students aged 14-20 at Tanglewood in western Massachusetts.
http://www.masslive.com/news/boston/index.ssf/2016/04/read_the_complaint_filed_by_mu.html
Eric Ruske was named in a civil lawsuit filed last year by a veteran attorney who has represented hundreds of victims of sexual violence.
SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is extremely disappointed that Boston University/Tanglewood is once again allowing Ruske to interact with these very young students despite the serious allegations against him.
http://www.snapnetwork.org/ma_victims_urge_bu_tanglewood_to_oust_accused_musician
Last April the Wyoming Symphony suspended its contract with the musician after learning of the lawsuit.
More recently, the University of Mary Washington Philharmonic Orchestra dropped Ruske from its concert lineup, although spokesperson Hilary Kanter could not confirm whether or not the controversy surrounding the lawsuit led to the decision.
No matter what Boston University/Tanglewood officials do or don’t do, we hope every person who knows anything about the allegations against Ruske will find the strength and courage to come forward.
Ruske’s alleged victims are represented by Boston attorneys Carmen Durso and Sara Elizabeth Burns (617-728-9123, [email protected]).
(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 20,000 members. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact – Melanie Jula Sakoda (925-708-6175, [email protected]), Joelle Casteix (949-322-7434, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003, [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