Dear SNAP Members, Friends & Supporters:
This letter is about events in Ohio but has implications for all 50 states. As most of you know there is a bill pending in the Ohio House of Representatives that would change Ohio’s laws and the climate for victims across the US.
Now, more than ever, we need you to help. Frequently survivors and supporters say: “Let me know if there is anything I can do to help out.” This is something you can do. We need your help and support right now, today. Everyone can help!
DETAILS:
Tuesday, November 22
9:30 a.m. Hearing in Judiciary Committee, Ohio House of Representatives
Room 114 (Hayes Room) in Ohio State Capitol. We don’t know how long the meeting will last – please plan to stay all day! If you must leave early and want to testify please tell Claudia or Christy what time you must leave. They will ensure that you get to speak before you must leave!)
Monday, November 21
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Preparation Meeting For All SNAP Members & Supporters at the Hyatt Hotel (across the street from the Capitol)
Here’s a list of ways you can help
1. Come to Columbus, Ohio to be counted in support of Senate Bill 17. Be there by 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 22 when the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Hearing begins. If possible get to Columbus Monday evening and attend the planning session from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
We can help if;
If you can’t get off work
If you cannot afford transportation
If you need babysitting help
If you have special needs
We will work with you to solve these problems. Where there is a will there is a way. Call Claudia (419-350-9234), Christy (513-383-2198) or Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688)
2. Bring your parents, and/or your spouse. Bring your adult children, friends, in-laws and neighbors. If someone owes you a favor, this is the time to cash in and get them to come to Columbus, Ohio this Tue.
3. Offer to let someone else ride with you. There are several folks from most corners of Ohio, and nearby places, who will come if they can get a ride. If you have space in your car, please let us know so the others get a ride. If you have time and are willing to drive to a neighboring town to pick up someone else, even if it’s out of the way, please let us know so we can get more folks there.
4. Contact everyone you know who lives in or near Ohio and ask them to go to Columbus on Tuesday. Explain that even though you know they are busy, this is a real opportunity to change the course of history in Ohio and the nation. This is a chance to put the interests of innocent children ahead of child molesters. This is the opportunity to expose hundreds of sexual predators living and working in Ohio where most of their neighbors and bosses don’t know their history of abusing children.
For Those Who Are Bold Enough: Change the tradition!
We know that we are asking you to travel to Columbus, Ohio just two days before Thanksgiving. We know that many of you already have plans to travel during the week, some of you have bought airplane tickets, many of you are committed to show up at someone else’s home on Thanksgiving bearing a special dish created by centuries old recipes, etc. In spite of all the plans please consider changing the tradition this year.
Consider bringing your entire family to Columbus to testify and/or be counted at the Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday and then stay over in Columbus to celebrate Thanksgiving there. (There is a large in-door shopping mall just across the street from the Capitol – plenty of restaurants, loads of holiday decorations and holiday activities, and Columbus has a great Science Children’s Museum, etc.)
Know that being in Columbus this Tuesday can and will make a difference.
Rosa Parks Was Just One Person – That One Made A Difference, You Can Too!
Earlier this month the nation mourned the death of Rosa Parks. She didn’t speak out and she didn’t perceive herself as a leader. What she did do was to simply be counted. She was an African-American who sat on the city bus in a seat reserved for white people. When the bus driver asked her to stand to allow a white man to be seated she said, “No.”
She was counted as someone who knew that it was wrong to treat African-Americans as second-class citizens. We know it is wrong to treat innocent children as second-class citizens.
Who Should Go To Columbus?
We hope to have at least one victim of every perpetrator who has worked in Ohio or abused a child in Ohio. Some perpetrators have worked in more than one state. If your perpetrator worked in Ohio, went to school in Ohio, grew up in Ohio, or has any connection to Ohio please get to Columbus, even if he didn’t abuse you in Ohio.
We hope to have as many victims, family members and supporters from Ohio as possible. We’d like to have everyone listed on the SNAP list who lives in Ohio, or has any connection to Ohio to be in Columbus next Tue, Nov 22.
If you are coming please let us know!
It will be great if you are able to get to Columbus! It will be even better if we can count you in the number of folks coming. We will be notifying the media by Monday to tell them that we are coming to Columbus. Numbers impress both the media and the legislators. Both respond to sheer numbers. So let us know that you are coming so we can count you in the number!
I don’t want others to know I was abused.
Every one of us who has been abused is a sex-crime victim. We all have the right to keep our identities anonymous. No one will know that you are a victim unless you tell.
There will be a large number of supporters and those who care about protecting children who will be present. You can be counted as a supporter or friend of victims. Some of those coming to support us are therapists, teachers, police officers, prosecutors and others. Please know that if you come as a supporter you will not be alone.
Recent History of Ohio Senate Bill 17
Most of you know that survivors from Ohio and several other states have previously testified in the Ohio legislature. Last Spring over 70 folks were present to testify and support Senate Bill 17 when the bill was before the Senate Judiciary Committee. People in the hearing were moved to tears as they listened to survivors and looked into the faces on the childhood photos. The Senators put aside their differences and worked together to produce a bill that everyone could support.
But don’t most legislators already have their minds made up?
Sure. Of course. If the vote were to be taken today or tomorrow we would lose. That is why we need you in Columbus. In many ways our testimony won’t make a big difference. Most of the legislators have been pressured to vote against us by church leaders and business’ that support church leaders. We need to show that it is popular to vote for protecting kids in Ohio. What will make the difference is the number of people we can get to Columbus on Tuesday.
We can still get all the votes we need. Legislators need to know that this bill impacts hundreds and thousands of folks in Ohio. We can’t be a small group on Tuesday. What will make the difference is getting people to Columbus to show strong support. We need as many people to be there as possible. If we are lucky enough to get the 70 or 75 folks who were there in the Senate Judiciary that will be good. But it will take many more than that to make a real difference.
Why is this hearing different from the others?
This is the first time that victims are being permitted to speak in the House of Representatives. We will be able to move the hearts of legislators but it will be very different than it was in the Senate. When we testified before the Senate we were speaking to a clean slate. This time the Representatives have already met many survivors and have heard our stories. Additionally they have heard from our opposition. They are tainted by the lobbying of the other side. We can still make a difference but it will be a much more difficult situation. We believe that this time we must bring many more people.
It is the potential to impact voters in their district that will have the most impact. If we show that most average Ohioans support SB 17 they will vote for the bill. To show we have average voters on our side we need large numbers of folks in Columbus on Tuesday.
Senate Bill 17 will allow protecting kids to come first. We all know that our opposition is more interested in protecting the reputation of child molesters and the image of the church than in keeping kids safe.
Please do all you can to get yourself (and as many others as possible) to Columbus on Tuesday.
If there is any question or concern please let us know. If you have a suggestion or strategy that can help us get more folks to Columbus please let us know!
Gratefully,
Christy Miller 513-383-2198
Claudia Vercellotti 419-350-9234
Barbara Blaine 312-399-4747
David Clohessy 314-566-9790
Susan Vidd 216-210-1243
Attn: Child abuse victims' advocates in Ohio
by AndersonsInfo 5 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse
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AndersonsInfo
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littlerockguy
What about child abuse vicim's advocates in Ohio?
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Gerard
Most of the legislators have been pressured to vote against us by church leaders and business’ that support church leaders.
Bastards....
bttt.
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DanTheMan
Well, sure, why not. Such an impassioned plea, how could I say no? ;) I live in Columbus anyway. I think I can get the day off work, should be a slow week. I don't have any personal experience with the issue, but I can come for support.
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AndersonsInfo
bttt
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blondie
SNAP has been very active throughout the US in getting laws changed. These same laws affect the WTS and its policies. Elders are told by the WTS that the first thing they must do when they learn of an abuse case is to CALL LEGAL, CALL LEGAL, CALL LEGAL, to find out what the reporting laws are in their state. Some states do require universal reporting, including clergy, not letting them use the clergy-penitent law to circumvent their responsibility. So the WTS obviously feels the legal requirements are more important than any spiritual requirements.
If you can go, please do. Also contact SNAP in your state to see what you can do to help.
Blondie (SNAP member/supporter)