(For Immediate Release August 15, 2022)
MEDIA ADVISORY – PRESS CONFERENCE – CHARLOTTE NC
RE: Abuse of Children in Protestant mission schools in Nigeria, West Africa
Abuse victims case is tossed out
But group hopes they will appeal soon
They also seek a federal DOJ investigation
Lawsuit targets Charlotte-based religious organization
It sends hundreds of Protestant missionaries all across the world
Handout given with pictures of victims & pictures of abusers named
Using chalk, victims will also write names of four predators on sidewalk
WHAT
Holding signs & enlarged childhood photos, clergy sex abuse victims and advocates will disclose that a Charlotte judge has just tossed out a civil suit against a Charlotte-based Protestant religious group. It was brought by six adults who were sexually violated as youngsters overseas by missionaries who are from - and in some cases, still live in - the US and Canada.
The victims will
--hand out pictures of at least four proven, admitted and/or credibly accused child molesting missionaries,
--call on the DOJ to launch a federal investigation into the missionary group (like the DOJ did last week with the Southern Baptist Convention) and
And they will urge
--the victim plaintiffs to appeal the new decision against them,
--everyone who has seen, suspected or suffered sex crimes by US and Canadian missionaries to "come forward, get help, call law enforcement, expose child predators and deter church cover ups and contact independent and effective self-help organizations like theirs
WHEN
Monday, Aug. 15 at 1:00 p.m.
WHERE
On the sidewalk outside of the Charles R. Jonas courthouse, 401 West Trade Street in downtown Charlotte NC
WHO
Three-four victims of clergy sexual abuse at the hands of clergy &/or religious officials who belong to SNAP (the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) and Missionary Kids Safety Net (MKSN). Both are 30 year old Chicago-based non-profits that work to protect the vulnerable and heal the wounded.
WHY
The lawsuit was reported by Sara Coello of the Charlotte Observer on 8/1/22.
The primary defendant in the civil case is an interdenominational group called SIM USA. Some of the alleged abuse happened at two Nigerian schools affiliated with SIM USA – Kent Academy in Miango and Hillcrest Academy in Jos.
Lawyers for SIM USA claim that these schools are "separate," and "independently operated," which the victims dispute.
The ruling against the victims was handed down late last week by Superior Court Judge Robert Ervin.
The victims are represented by attorneys Boz Tchividijian of DeLand FL (386 682 5540, boz@bozlawpa.com), Peter Janci of Portland OR (888 407 0224, Peter@crewjanci.com) and the Lanier Law Group of North Carolina.
CONTACT
Abuse victim Letta Cartlige 303 505 9141, Pastor Rich Darr of Missionary Kid Safety Net 815-370-4703, rsdarr@earthink.net, David Clohessy 314 566 9790, davidgclohessy@gmail.com
