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)
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