Institutional abuse must be rooted out from all entities, butespeciallyfrom within those with the primary purpose of caring for young people. , Seitz emphasized the long-term importance of the bill for child sexual abuse victims and survivors. Kanakuk has several camps, and the one Pete was in charge of was always sold out. Who wants that? You have a serious problem. The two recent lawsuits were filed in Missouri and in federal court in Dallas. Survivors of child sexual abuse are attempting to enact laws in Missouri and Texas to change the legal landscape for Christian camps that cater to children and teens. Sadly, new allegations of systemic sexual abuse of children by adults, child-on-child abuse, and cover-ups at Kanakuk have recently come to light through a series of investigative reports based on new survivor testimony and witness accounts from former Kankuk employees. The Missouri committee will vote on the legislation soon, and survivors are urging others to send emails to committee members in support of the bill. so you have to wonder how many more girls this creep assaulted over the years. Threatened with outside legal action, Newman writes a confession letter. And somewhat bewildered. Kanakuk cannot be held liable for failing to supervise defendant Newman when he was outside the scope of his employment and not on Kanakuk property, the motion said. To suggest that we can't go up to those organizations and cap a statute, I think is inappropriate," Smith said. have a no private alone-time policy between adults and minors and, for that matter, teenage junior counselors and the children they are supervising, with exceptions only during emergencies and when those happen, a full report by the adult of who he was with, what he was doing, and why they had to be alone together. Pete was articulate. Jessica Seitz of Missouri KidsFirst was the last to testify. The editor evenposted a special piece about the process of investigating Kanakukwhich explained that, in deference to the brave survivors who came forward, they were making the articles available for free. Isnt this the attorney that nailed All Saints over the Rudy Koss thing? As I sought out legal action in an effort to hold my enablers accountable I was crushed to find out I was a few years past the Missouri statute of limitations, Hoffpauir said. But he didn't survive past the age of 29, so now I refer to him as a victim, and I'm trying to be his voice.". Through no fault of their own, children and/or the medically disabled who may have been abused in the past are being victimized again by not being able to hold the perpetrators to account in civil actions, he said. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of News Tribune Publishing. This course not only places very strict rules on any kind of potentially problematic situations, such as showering and other daily life activities, it also equips those who have completed the course to recognize the actions of someone who is grooming kids to find children that will fall prey to them. filed by Sen. Pete Flores (R), propose the complete removal of civil statutes of limitation for sexual offenses against a child. Four people testified in opposition to the bill, representing business and insurance -- with particular opposition to the portion of the bill which opens a window for a revival of claims. However, even though he accomplished all of those things, he could never get out from under the weight of his trauma, and after spending years believing Kanakuks claims they did not know about Newmans abuse, discovered Kanakuk had known about Newmans actions. The bill also includes a retroactive piece, called a window or revival law, which allows cases that were barred or dismissed due to a statute of limitation to be revived during a window of two years. Although the charges involved the abuse of six youths, the prosecutor told reporters after Newmans sentencing that Newman had admitted involvement with 13 others as well. i have a good friend whose daughter was raped by a camp employee in kerrville many years ago. Man first of all, we all need Jesus, that is a fact and a very big big fact! Hoffpauir said finding out this information helped him to finally tell his family about the abuse in 2022. The third witness, Keith Dygart, reported on his own settlement with Kanakuk, describing the immense toll his legal battle took on his family. With people like you on their staff I will never ever send my children back to Kanakuk. This is not the first cover-up accusation Kanakuk has faced. The acts perpetrated upon these people are wrong. It names Kanakuk; its president, Joe White; and Newman as defendants. If this bill is passed, Texas child sexual abuse victims could take legal action against their perpetrators for the rest of their lives. Survivors and family members of victims of sexual abuse at Kanakuk camps testified at a hearing before the Missouri House Judiciary Committee regarding a Signed statements by three Kanakuk leaders involved make no mention of promptly contacting law enforcement or legal authorities. With the release of the new articles, former Kanakuk campers, staff and sexual abuse survivors have come forward from cities that include Dallas and Amarillo, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Nashville, Tenn.; and [Kanakuk] stated they fired Newman as soon as they were aware of his abusive behaviors and he acted alone, Hoffpauir testified. On April 3, 2021, Kanakuk sent a cease-and-desist letterto No More Victims demanding that the group take down the FactsAboutKanakuk website, recently launched at that time. Praise God. I really feel awful for these kids and hope they are able to put this nightmare behind them. I have been desperately trying to warn a church in MS about an admitted child sex offender who is a minister and was fired by Prestonwood Baptist for credible accusations of abuse by several boys in 1989. God forgive them all and save us from the professional religious! Newman's abuse of campers and others he met through Kanakuk-affiliated ministries often began with casual nudity and discussions about how to control sexual And even as some allegations of abuse became public when Newman admitted his crimes to camp leadership, Kanakuk officials called and met with families to inform them, offering to pay for counseling. He testified he tried to move forward in life, including getting a college degree, getting married, and getting involved in his community. Seitz referred to the victims of Kanakuk who would be testifying. she never told anyone until 10 years later, she was so ashamed and embarrassed. Those who identify as survivors, along with family members, sent an open letter to camp leadership Thursday with their demands. sent an open letter to camp leadership Thursday, theletter outlines three demands from the survivor community, "hot tub Bible studies" with minors in his care, Former Kanakuk counselor Peter Newman named in new sex-abuse lawsuit, Lawyers honored for $20 million lawsuit against former Kanakuk camp director, begun coming forward to share their grievances with Kanakuk, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. This not only hinders the healing process for victims themselves but also allows perpetrators to continue committing violence as their victims age out of the statute of limitations, they report. "We have endured child sexual abuse, extortion, silencing, physical abuse, harassment, aggressive legal tactics, public denial of said abuses, and much more," the letter says in part, "all at the hands of Kanakuk Ministries and its affiliated entities, and all while under your familys leadership. Several witnesses also appeared before the committee to oppose the changes within Seitzs bill. My father has also been a director of other Christian camps and I can say that this was a horrific scandal that grieved everyone in the Christian camping community. Joe White provided lavish gifts such as technology devices, camp merchandise, and Harry & David fruit baskets to several known victims. Dygert testified White and leadership at Kanakuk had caught Newman engaging in sexual abuse of children at least three times before his arrest and despite being mandatory reporters in Taney County there is no evidence Kanakuk leaders reported these situations to law enforcement or any government authority. The lack of concrete action and subsequent cover up of the sexual exploitation that happened regularly at Kanakuk led to unspeakable trauma for many survivors that could have been prevented had Kanakuk leadership responded appropriately. Who is Joe White and What is Kanakuk Kamps? WebSeveral former Kanakuk Kamps staff members have been convicted of child sexual abuse with more under suspicion but the true scope of their collective crimes remains For more than a decade, Evan Hoffpauir believed the camp director who sexually abused him at the Branson-area Kanakuk Kamps had acted alone. If a non-profit organization or business knows Missouri has eliminated its statute of limitations for a particular type of claim, it can adopt an appropriate retention policy.. Between 2003 and 2008, Yandell was abused by camp counselor and director Peter Pete Newman multiple times, in multiple states as well as in China during a mission trip. They did, however, issue a statement regarding Newmans actions and their subsequent response. In reading the lawsuit, the camp had to know. And when camp leaders learned that he was playing nude basketball and swimming nude with minor boys, it alleges, they sent him to a lawyer but continued his employment. The current civil statute laws only protect the perpetrator. The 2019 publication Molestation and Abuse by Camp Counselors lists 22 summer camps in Texas. Registered in North Carolina in March 2021, No More Victims sponsors FactsAboutKanakuk.com, a websitepublicizing abuse allegations linked to the camp. Elizabeth Carlock Phillips testified before the committee on behalf of her brother, Trey Carlock, who committed suicide in 2019 following his abuse at Kanakuk at the hands of child molester Pete Newman, who is serving two life terms plus 30 years in a Jefferson City prison. Jody Jones, who flew from Utah to testify, was a camper at Kanakuk in 1985, when she was 8. There is NO way that Joe White had any idea that PN was molesting and enticing these boys! A representative answering Kanakuk'smain phone switchboardreferred all questions to an email account for camp communications. Required fields are marked *. Newman is currently serving two life sentences plus 30 years in prison. Whenever summer begins, so does the summer camp season. Its time to stop the clock for child sex abuse survivors, Phillips said. Key facts and new revelations about sexual abuse at Kanakuk Kamps: No More Victims, a Kanakuk watchdog created by survivors and their families, has Newman is known to have abused more than 50 Kanakuk campers prior to his conviction in 2010. Pete Newman is indicted and convicted of multiple counts of sex abuse against dozens of Kanakuk campers. The first civil lawsuits against Kanakuk and former Kanakuk Kamps Director Pete Newman alleging sexual abuse are filed on behalf of a Jane Doe and John Doe in Texas federal court. The retroactivity of the legislation is particularly concerning because of how it impacts organizations that rely on the law, Essma said. These offenses include sexual assault of a child, aggravated assault of a child, continuous sexual abuse of a young child or disabled individual, sex trafficking of a child, compelling a child into prostitution and indecency with a child. This isnt a question of who did or didnt handle it properly, because unless we educate ourselves we all are doing a disservice to those around us who are being abused. When a statute of limitations is extended prospectively, organizations can make rational and appropriate decisions to reduce their liability exposure. What we see here, though, is forgetting about our Constitution. Despite policies forbidding any degree of sexual contact between staff members and campers, any evidence of homosexual behavior, laying on a Kampers bed day or night and nude games, Kanakuk Kamps does not terminate Newman or report him to law enforcement but instead takes the following actions: During this time, Newman is promoted to director of K-Kountry. Kanakuk: A $20 million judgment is awarded In the Doe IX case, making it the top plaintiffs judgment in Missouri for that year. Man charged in killing at Kansas City homeless encampment where body was found in shack, Kansas City police locate 6-year-old missing from Broadway Gillham on Wednesday, $25,000 reward offered for location of missing Johnson County mother, believed dead, Suspected high-level drug trafficker arrested at KC house where 1 died, 3 cops shot, So talented: Kansas City jazz singer, dancer, legend Ronald McFadden dies at 66, A Kansas City musical force and light, jazz and R&B singer Ida McBeth dies at 70, Man found dead inside house where Kansas City police officers were shot late Tuesday. We encourage you to read them yourselves to truly understand the full scope of abuse and institutional wrong-doing by Kanakuk. Child sexual abuse survivors, their families and advocates insist passing these bills in Missouri and Texas will help victims continue to seek justice and create a safer future for children. Kamp didnt help to hold him accountable in my eyes, Jones said. It is time for Joe White and the Kanakuk network to practice what it preaches. "As I sought out legal action in an effort to hold my enablers accountable, I was crushed to find out I was a few years past Missouri's statute of limitations," Hoffpauir said. He said he sought legal help to hold his abusers accountable, but Missouri law denied him the opportunity to pursue justice. News Investigation Exposes Kanakuk Kamps Decades-Long Child Abuse Coverup WASHINGTON, DC (May 26, 2022) The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) renews its calls for Kanakuk Kamps leadership to acknowledge their failure to protect countless children that were in their care from sexual abuse.Survivors, family And today I do. You can learn more about our reasons, our requests, and examine existing evidencehere. The nonprofit organization also employs about 1,800 staff members, tax records show. A lawsuit filed on behalf of John Doe XII alleging sexual assault is filed against former Kanakuk Kamps Director Pete Newman, currently serving two life sentences plus 30 years in Missouri state prison for sexual crimes. "We're talking about organizations that cover up and they work together -- they work cohesively to make sure the truth doesn't come out. The law was telling me there was nothing to be done about it, and the clock had run out on me. A weekend with Pete will build a father-son relationship that will never be the same. But HB 367 is a glimmer of hope. All I can say is that this shocked all of us and made us truly sad. Where I work, we try to be wise as serpents about this kind of thing. The abusive, criminal behavior Pete Newman admitted runs counter to everything Kanakuk Kamps has stood for over the past 85 years, the statement said. Survivors and family members of victims of sexual abuse at Kanakuk camps testified at a hearing before the Missouri House Judiciary Committee regarding a bill proposed by local state Rep. Brian Seitz to change laws to help survivors of childhood sexual assault. Kanakuk Kamps, a Branson-based Christian sports camp network that draws thousands of youths every summer many from the Kansas City area is facing two lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by a former director. I bring this bill forward because these horrors have even perpetrated my district, Seitz said. Kanakuk continues to rank among the best-known Christian camps in the country and serves over 20,000 kids a summer. The press page on its website now leads with a link to a 322-word statement on abuse, which describes the Newman case without mentioning his name and apologizes to victims and their families. Pete Newman receives two life sentences plus 30 years in Missouri state prison based on multiple counts of statutory sodomy and child enticement involving child abuse on Kanakuk property. The next step for Seitzs bill is an executive session hearing before a vote of the committee. Two similar lawsuits, both filed in 2011, were settled this year. Evan Hoffpauir, a victim of Pete Newman, said the trauma and embarrassment caused him to hide what had happened to him. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and significant financial settlements have concealed the truth in order to preserve a ministry brand and economic engine. White and other leaders at the Kamp continued to not only let Newman pray with young boys.but prey on them as well. I think so.. So, I can see how the streaking fell under that category to the leadership. I know a few boys were horribly hurt by this mans actions, but also thousands of children were irreparably harmed by the evil this role model was hiding. Jody Jones testified about her abuse at Kanakuk, and how the camp staff contacted her mother and encouraged her not to reach out to authorities. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. All rights reserved. A new lawsuit has been filed against Kanakuk Kamps. Phillips pointed out research into neurotrauma and said it shows the current age limitation under Missouri law of 31-years-old for the victim of the abuse is arbitrary and without scientific support. He was charismatic, magnetic, the kids loved him. The camp identified 21 items on the website that it characterized as needing correction. Newman is encouraged to host additional para-camp ministries, often one on one or in small groups, including his hot tub Bible studies, a practice he talks about in Kanakuk speeches and often uses as a location for abuse. He is prominently featured on the Kanakuk Kamps website and in camp videos and written materials. A claim against Kanakuk Kamps for sexual abuse is filed in Texas federal court by John Doe III. On Twitter, find him at @GregHolmanNL. Can they take pictures of each other? It was not The Lords plan for this to happen. Joe White testifies that he had thought Newmans nudity with children, such as naked basketball, was improper, immature and inappropriate. He states that he never considered that Pete may be dangerous around kids.. It is getting pretty sick down here. Praying/hoping/wishing the best for all the victims and families. Newman also sexually abused the boy multiple times at Newmans home and in other locations, the lawsuit says. On May 27, 2022, two days before the Kanakuk summer season started,USA Todaypublished a detailed report Survivors ,ex-employees say Kanakuk Christian camp ministered to its sexual predators. This national story drew from a collaboration withUSA TodaysMissouri affiliate which had released a three-piece investigative series earlier that week. They confiscate his laptop, terminate his employment and send him home. Victims ofsexual abuse byformer Kanakuk Kamp stafferPete Newman(pictured above, currently serving 2 consecutive life sentences plus 30 years) have come forward and are taking legal action. And we join survivors in calling for Kanakuk leadership to unequivocally admit to their grave failures in protecting children and to be fully transparent as to what they knew in the past, as well as about how they plan to prevent future instances of wrong-doing and crimes against the kids in their care. I was crushed to find out I was a few years past the Missouri statute of limitations. Messages sent to those addresses came back undeliverable, and the phone numbers appeared to be disconnected. They hope to extend or eliminate the civil limitations on legal action, which would allow abuse victims more time to report their experiences to law enforcement. Re: Just a new staff member Michael Essma of the Kansas City law firm Shook, Hardy, and Bacon testified on behalf of the American Tort Reform Association. "So is 55 a reasonable timeframe to push that back? The abuse includes encouragement of and participation in nude swimming, basketball, and four-wheeling; exposure and inspection of genitalia; one-on-one sleepovers; mutual masturbation sessions; oral sex; and sodomy all occurring while he is representing Kanakuk and promoted within its ranks. So, is 55 a reasonable timeframe to push that back? Horrible things happen- it is the nature of our world and the nature of people. Kanakuk did not report the allegations above to the police. The camp made few public statements about the outbreak, and its communications office did not respond to multiple news media interview requests. That is why it is gard for me to believe that something this big, like streaking with naked kids would have just been looked over and given probation. ", Dygert relayed a message to the committee, too: "One victim's mother asked me, and I quote, 'Please let the committee know how many people this will help, that feel like they have no voice and no help from those that hurt them.'". Seven states open the window for two or more years, as this law proposes Missouri do, and two states currently open the window permanently for adult survivors of child sex abuse, according to Child USA. Newman isnt the only Kanakuk employee to be convicted of sexual abuse. Then we have the 2003 incident where Newman and a group of young boys streaked through the camp. As a child growing up in Branson, Hoffpauir was involved with Kanakuk's youth ministries, and said he was abused by Kanakuk director Pete Newman from 1999-2003. I used to refer to him as a survivor, Phillips testified. My heart breaks for everyone involved. Their Thursday open letteralso calls on the camp to end the practice of asking alleged victims to sign legal non-disclosure agreements when their cases are settled, calling the use of NDAs one of many "intimidation tactics" thecamp uses to hushup allegations of sexual assault. The bill would extend the age limitation for victims bringing civil action against any perpetrator of sexual violence or torturous acts against a vulnerable victim to 55. Kanakuk opens for Summer 2020 terms despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Maybe Mr. White was trying to contain the situation or do damage control by keeping Pete Newman on staff (knowing that if he was terminated, the truth would likely become known), but his decision to retain Newman in the face of his criminal behavior against the campers was a terrible lapse in judgement. And the Bible tells us that the Lord allows these things to happen for a reason. Kanakuk Kamps releases its first written policy on preventing sexual abuse, 19 years after materials to educate staff were readily available and more than 23 years after the Camp Directors Guide: Preventing Sexual Exploitation of Children was published by the U.S. Department of Justice. Through no fault of their own, children and/or the medically disabled who have been abused in the past are being abused again by not being able to hold their perpetrators to account in civil actions.. Despite such agreements, multiple accusers have begun coming forward to share their grievances with Kanakuk. Even defendants in this particular case, no matter how abhorrent, have a right to due process in the state of Missouri, and our job is to preserve the right to due process.. There is a criminal sanction for those folks. i talked to her boss for less than 5 minutes and she was hired an hour later. What would you add to this list? S/he should get help and a spell checker. Parents expect camp to be a fun place for their children to deepen friendships, learn new skills, and build their character within an environment that practices the highest child safety standards. These are all just common-sense approaches to a very real threat. Sources tell the Branson Tri-Lakes News committee members are split on whether to pass the bill. Such surveillance and check-ins deter anyone who has ulterior motives who slipped through screening. The plaintiff in the Taney County case, John Doe JG, was from Arkansas and was 12 in 2003 when the alleged abuse began. Documenting the Catholic Sexual Abuse and Financial Crisis Data on bishops, priests, brothers, nuns, Pope Francis, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Documenting the Abuse Crisis in the Roman Catholic Church Established June 2003, https://www.bransontrilakesnews.com/news/local/article_8d7278d8-aed9-11ed-acc0-6738f0cfff1b.html.
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