Registered in North Carolina in March 2021, No More Victims sponsors FactsAboutKanakuk.com, a websitepublicizing abuse allegations linked to the camp. He pleaded guilty in Taney County in 2010 to two counts of first-degree statutory sodomy, three counts of second-degree statutory sodomy and three counts of child enticement. 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.". The Lord will Bless Kanakuk. 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. Kanakuk must be held to account. My heart breaks for everyone involved. Hoffpauir was one of several survivors of childhood sexual abuse, including from Kanakuk and Boy Scouts of America, who testified at a House judiciary hearing Monday night in support of a bill that would extend the civil statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. 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. In motions filed in the lawsuits, Kanakuk officials deny knowing that Newman posed a threat to children while working at the popular camp. ", 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.'". 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. Many even take this burden to the grave. Former Kanakuk camp director Peter Newman worked at the camp from 1995 to 2009, as the News-Leader reported earlier. Joe White begins an apology tour, flying privately to visit victims families in person and showering them with gifts, including free camp tuition, hunting trips, iPads, Disney World vacations and fruit baskets. Please be aware that this website may contain information and images that some may find disturbing. There should be an alarm going off, DiGiorgio said. Evan Hoffpauir, a victim of Pete Newman, said the trauma and embarrassment caused him to hide what had happened to him. For those who call themselves sex-abuse survivors, it's a matter of bringing the facts to light. It is time to hear their voices and experiences. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. A $20 million judgment is awarded In the Doe IX case, making it the top plaintiffs judgment in Missouri for that year. Even better is a two- or three-adult policy but this isnt feasible or really necessary in large-group settings like a classroom with 1 teacher and a dozen or more students in a school with other teachers in all of the nearby rooms. I agree with grump Get professional help IMMEDIATELY! My brother was silenced with an NDA," one of the family members told CBS 11. Former Kanakuk Kamps staff member Corbie Dale Grimes is fired for sexual misconduct with campers but is not reported to law enforcement. In one case a counselor encouraged a camper to, Another survivor stepped forward to share his, Survivors have also come forward with reports of. Sad story all the way around but the victims deserve whatever justice they can get for such an awful betrayal. The No More Victims letter also asksthat the camp "admit to known failures"including "dismissing clear signs of predatory behavior and child sexual abuse, as well as covering up said abuses once known.". Joe Alarcon, father of Ashton Alarcon from Amarillo, Texas, spoke in Texas on behalf of Kanakuk survivors, including his son, who was abused in multiple states, including Texas, he said. But by the time new evidence was uncovered through national media investigations, Hoffpauir was too old to file a civil suit against the camp and its leadership. Former Kanakuk Kamps counselor Lee Bradberry pleads guilty to two Class B felonies of first-degree child molestation, a Class D felony of sexual misconduct involving a child under 15, and an unclassified felony of first-degree attempted statutory sodomy with a person under 14 years old. "I'm now a 45-year-old woman with what I consider to be great strength, and it takes a lot of courage to get up here today and say this," she said. Trey was a Kanakuk Kamps abuse survivor and for years fought valiantly against the trauma he suffered. According to the Kanakuk website, the Child Protection Plan includes professional criminal background checks for every employee, mandatory sexual abuse prevention training for every staff member, staff education conducted by nationally recognized sexual abuse prevention experts, and educating all campers and staff on how to report inappropriate behavior. You cannot ignore it.. 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. Monday's hearing was on legislation that would extend the civil statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. That lawsuit was settled in April, also for an undisclosed amount. L ogan Yandell is one of a string of young men who attended Kanakuk Kamps in the 2000s, who were groomed and abused by a popular counselor, and who According to the nonprofit child protection advocacy group Child USA, Missouri is currently one of 21 states with the age cap set at 34 years old or younger -- which Child USA ranks as the worst states in terms of statutes of limitations for child sex abuse survivors. People Newspapers is a D Magazine Partneraffiliate. Kanakuk Kamps worked extensively with authorities to provide information used in the investigation and prosecution of Mr. Newman. Kanakuk leadership reacts in various ways, including visiting families to get more information and disallowing some reporting parents children to return to camp. Re: Just a new staff member A claim against Kanakuk Kamps for sexual abuse is filed in Texas federal court by John Doe III. His profile is eerily similar to Pete Newman, charismatic and very popular. 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 A Missouri judge issues a restraining order against Kanakuk Kamps President Joe White to stop him from contacting a sexual abuse victim with unwanted letters, phone calls, emails, and care packages. The law should reflect that, Legacy of Wounded Knee occupation lives on 50 years later, Holy Queer author seeks Black church inclusion beyond singing with choir. WebSurvivors 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. It is time for Joe White and the Kanakuk network to practice what it preaches. The nonprofit organization also employs about 1,800 staff members, tax records show. A jury trial had been scheduled for January, but the lawsuit which was moved to Christian County was settled in September for an undisclosed amount. When i was a counselor we had very strict rules about being clothed at all times or after getting out of the shower making sure we were covered even while putting on our clothes. Kanakuk counselor who abused boy in Texas reported to police At least one Kanakuk counselor Paul Green was investigated by police years before Newman A claim of child sexual assault originally filed in federal court in Texas in 2011 against Kanakuk Kamps on behalf of a John Doe and Jane Doe is settled, and all related documents are sealed. 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.. When camp directors told her mother about the abuse, they informed her they were unaware of other cases of abuse at Kanakuk and advised her against going to law enforcement about the abuse, she said. ", "This bill," Hobbs later continued, "starts the path of holding institutions accountable.". We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Camp attorneys threatened an "imminent" lawsuit against No More Victims last April, according to a copy of their cease-and-desist letter Hastings provided the News-Leader at the time. Additional coverage of abuse allegations at Kanakuk is available here: 2023 Baptist News Global. Newman is serving a lengthy prison sentence for sexually abusing numerous boys during the decade that he held a supervisory position at the camp. Messages sent to those addresses came back undeliverable, and the phone numbers appeared to be disconnected. I know he never intended to employ a sexual predator. A representative answering Kanakuk'smain phone switchboardreferred all questions to an email account for camp communications. He said he grew up in Branson near Kanakuk and wanted to go there but his family couldnt afford it. 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. And somewhat bewildered. What happens if someone doesnt follow policies?). Actor and comedian Bill Cosby publicly endorses Kanakuks Kids Across America camp for urban youth, stating Kids Across America is doing what needs to be done with kids, and you need to become part of this place too.. While Morgan awaits trial, White invites him to live on Kanakuk property and later testifies as a character witness for Morgans defense. No one deserves to carry the amount of shame that I experienced as a sexual abuse victim, Hoffpauir said. It sucks but that is just how it is. 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 child sexual abuse. Tell us at[emailprotected], and well post another blog with recommendations for what to look for and ask when choosing a summer camp. Camp officials knew that Newman was having one-on-one sleepovers with boys yet retained him as an employee, the lawsuit says. So far, we know of over 15 deaths of despair associated with Kanakuk abuse. The second case, filed in federal court in Dallas, alleges Newman sexually abused a camper from 2001 through 2007, beginning when the boy was 10. Newman is known to have abused more than 50 Kanakuk campers prior to his conviction in 2010. This website is dedicated to sharing what is known and what needs to be brought to light. A Texas family notes in the obituary of a former camper that he was a survivor of Kanakuk Kamps abuse. 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