News & Events

This month marks the 15th anniversary of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (often referred to as the “Dallas Charter”), a document in which U.S. bishops pledged to protect children and  address the staggering problem of Catholic clergy child sexual abuse by adopting policies with “a firm determination to resolve the crisis.” The milepost is another reminder that, by and large, institutions continue to say they strive for accountability with initiatives like the Charter but in reality they often need to be forced kicking and screaming to do the right things to…

If “The Keepers” is not a reason to change the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse, then what is? The multi-dimensional Netflix documentary, directed by Ryan White, is an opportunity for everyone to know, feel, and understand the depths of chronic, institutional failure in real time. “The Keepers’ brings heightened awareness to the fact that we, as a culture, are still in crisis. It also provides a deeper understanding into the hearts and souls of survivors of child sexual abuse. Jean Wehner and the survivors featured in “The Keepers” were given a voice to share their truths and end…

Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges has bravely revealed that she was sexually abused for many years when she was a child, beginning when she was 8. We salute the courage it took for her to come forward.We also applaud the courage it takes for every survivor to come forward. Every survivor’s voice is important, no matter how famous or powerful. But, as April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Mayor Hodge’s revelation is a timely reminder that abuse can affect anyone in our society and it provides powerful public leadership on abuse awareness.Mayor Hodges addressed…

Male survivors of child sexual abuse delay disclosure for 20 years on average.  People often ask, why wouldn’t you tell someone you are being sexually abused when you instinctually know it is wrong and it makes you feel gross, dirty, tainted, scared, uncomfortable, and disgusted?  The answer? For some, it’s an overwhelming sense of fear. This sense of fear often prevents a survivor from coming forward and telling someone about the sexual abuse they are suffering or have suffered.  The reality is, many survivors have tried telling someone many times.  He or she may have…

A recent article in The Atlantic examined the connection between trauma and overworking. While every survivor of childhood sexual abuse is impacted differently, the effects are often long-lasting. Over the years, research has determined that survivors of childhood sexual abuse are at an increased risk for emotional, behavioral, and physical problems as adults. More recently, researchers have shown a potential connection between childhood abuse and overworking in adulthood. Some survivors have expressed using work as a coping mechanism. Being engrossed in work leaves little time to think about …

Sad and unspeakable cases of child abuse come to our attention almost every day. It’s hard to avoid news such as former Penn State president Graham Spanier’s role in covering up the Jerry Sandusky scandal, child abuse in USA Gymnastics, and the dozens of clergy abuse victims in Guam. Here in Minnesota, we’ve just learned of charges against an Eagan daycare provider for allegedly assaulting a 13-month-old, and local news has brought stories of child sex abuse by teachers, bus drivers, clergy and Boy Scout leaders, among others over the past several months.The stories seem sadly inevitable and i…