We have been abused and silenced for far too long and are now joining hands to stand up for accountability and justiceand to stop ongoing and future abuse. As a world leader among Christian summer camps, Kanakuk provides children with fun, safe and professional outdoor youth camping experiences that grow them spiritually, physically, emotionally and socially. Unfortunately, as often happens today, social media and online reporting have allowed myth to be presented as facts. Salacious statements and careful edits of leaked deposition videos generate clicks and website traffic, while logic is suspended, and critical questions are ignored. Newman was a camp counselor and director of father-son retreats at Kanakuk Kamps. Yandell was sexually abused as a teenager while attending the summer camp and other activities between 2005 and 2008. What Happens Now? It has since put on child protection training seminars. Kanakuk also fully supported the law enforcement investigation and prosecution of the abuser Pete Newman. This petition makes three simple pleas in line with longstanding best-practices for responding to policy breaches and abuse allegations: 1. Newman confessed after a Texas Kanakuk father confronted Newman and threatened to call the FBI. Retrieved from Based on civil suitsKanakuk President and COO Doug Goodwincouldnt even guesshow many had been filedwe knew there were more victims. As soon as Kanakuk became aware of abuse, we took action, including immediate termination and subsequently reported him to authorities. We will respond further if or when appropriate. @Kanakuk, acknowledge your complacency in the sexual abuse that went on in your camp. ", More:Kanakuk camper says she was told to apologize, denied call home after reporting abuse. From protocols regarding slippery surfaces, inclement weather, and facilities safety to the prevention of abuse through Kanakuks 3 Rules and 6 Boundaries, the safety conversation with our staff begins in the interview process and is built into the fabric of who we are as an organization. For years, a former staffer at Kanakuk Kamps, one of the country's most popular Christian summer camps, abused dozens of boys. Many prayers for the victims & their families. Our desire is to support victims and help them in their healing journey. Newman pleaded guilty in 2010 to seven counts of sexual abuse, and the prosecutor said Newmans victim count might be in the hundreds. 25 Feb/23. Martens said Yandell is leading a successful life now but must still deal with the traumatic effects of being sexually abused as a child. Kanakuk continues to be transparent about the events that occurred over a decade ago, and the steps weve taken to ensure such deceptive behavior doesnt happen here again. Any victim can reach out to us at victimsupport@kanakuk.com or access several independent victim advocacy organizations such as ChildHelp.org or Rainn.org which can provide access to local support services, reporting assistance, and educational resources. 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. It wasnt one time. ), Pete organized a full body massage for all the boys and he pulls me aside before we all head into the massive room and tells me, all these ladies will do a groin massage on everyone and watching the reactions of all the young guys is hilarious, the witness said. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson, would extend the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, allowing survivors to file civil action until they turn 55 years old. Logan Yandell, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, filed the lawsuit Friday in Taney County court against Kanakuk Ministries, Kanakuk CEO Joe White, Kanakuk Heritage Inc. and Westchester Fire Insurance Company. With annual revenue topping $30 million, Kanakuk Kamps is one of the largest evangelical ministries in the nation and claims to have hosted 500,000 campers from all 50 states and 10 countries since its founding in 1926. This petition is a companion to the Hold Kanakuk Accountable petition, which invites you to join survivors of Kanakuk abuse in demanding that Kanakuk admits to known failures, releases victims from their NDAs, and invites an independent investigation.Support survivors and their pleas with your signature! If you are a survivor of sexual abuse at Kanakuk Kamps and are interested in counseling, legal resources, or to connect with other survivors, FactsAboutKanakuk.com can help you here. Despite the survivors who have come forward, at least a dozen lawsuits, and the news investigations that have uncovered practices at the camp that enabled the reported abuse to fester, Kanakuk has continued to minimize the reality that they have allowed abuse to flourish. Cunningham is quoted in the stories describing the actions Kanakuk leaders took and did not take after Newman admitted to being naked with children, years before being held accountable for his crimes. Remember the Boy Scouts. Dozens of additional news outlets have carried stories as well. In late May, a full two months after Newman confessed, summer counselors were told Newman was still associated with the camp. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of "Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse" by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. It is possible, considering the large number of Newman victims, that several catalyzing events occurred at generally the same time. It was the worst 24 hours of my life. We were devastated by the deceptive practices of this individual and continue to grieve with victims and their families. Despite attempts to re-frame decades-old details to fit a modern narrative, Pete Newman was a rogue employee living a life of utter deception. Please be aware that this website may contain information and images that some may find disturbing. We support this right and will not stand in the way of any who wishes to do so. Additionally, in conversations with victims and their families, it has been devastating to learn that some of the things we have said in the past have been hurtful that was never our intent. The Missouri Independent is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization dedicated to relentless investigative journalism and daily reporting that sheds light on state government and its impact on the lives of Missourians. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. Survivors of child sexual abuse in Missouri can file civil action against perpetrators until they are 31 years old, and against other defendants which could include organizations until they are 26 years old. Red flag. [Read Examples]. Worked as college interns. Kanakuk also fully supported the law enforcement investigation and prosecution of the abuser. All I was trying to do was,Hey, lets come up with a solution for you and Joe White for long-term planning, he said. Joe White continues to seek out any opportunity to meet with victims and their families who will allow him the privilege to share his sincere sorrow and seek forgiveness and reconciliation. Our CPP is woven throughout the organization and impacts almost every aspect of our operations. (Photo- Keith Dygert, who said he was abused as a child at Kanakuk Kamps near Branson, testified in support of a bill to extend the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse survivors in front of the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 13, 2023- Clara Bates/Missouri Independent). More to the point is the echoing in church organisations of worldly power structures. Joe White discouraged the whistleblower from informing law enforcement of Newmans crimes. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. White and Cooper were concerned enough to write a corrective action memorandum that outlined a series of limits on Newmans activities, including requiring him to spend considerable time with one of his supervisors, Will Cunningham. Neugebauer noted that White did not have what he perceived to be the normal reactions of a person learning of the abuse for the first time, because White did not want to involve law enforcement. 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://thedispatch.com/p/new-witnesses-allege-kanakuk-kamps. Are we only to have women serve in childrens ministry? This time it involves claims of fraud in a sex abuse scandal. Our primary focus has been to ensure victims have the support they need to heal and recover, and we continue to work tirelessly to ensure this never happens again at Kanakuk. Neugebauer wanted Kanakuk to bring in professionals to do an investigation to properly identify all victims. In both instances, Kanakuk fully supported the law enforcement investigation and prosecution of the abuser. We believe that abuse of a child is deplorable and stands counter to our mission and Christian calling. According to Neugebauer, White said, Toby, get on board. On March 28, a report published in The Dispatch by David and Nancy . All statements on this page were submitted by verified survivors of abuse at Kanakuk Kamps. While there are still calls for Kanakuk to release victims from NDAs so that they can share their story, and accusations that we are silencing victims, Kanakuk has made it clear that we absolutely support the right of victims to share their story in pursuit of their healing. Our stance is simple every victim deserves the right to share in the pursuit of healing. Kanakuk has said these men were fired and reported to law enforcement as soon as the abuse came to light. This guy has a raging love for God and it spills over constantly to the kids at kamp.. However, survivor advocates say that many of the camps leaders, including Joe White, Kanakuks CEO and board chair, have never been held fully responsible for their leadership failures. Pete Newman was a master of deception fooling not only Kanakuk but also his friends, neighbors, and even his own family. As soon as Kanakuk became aware of abuse, we took action, including immediate termination and reporting him to authorities. The boys allegedly recorded were ages 13 to 16. Kanakuk Kamps has responded to only one investigation report, and they didnt even recognize their role in allowing the abuse to continue. Some victims have settlement agreements that involve insurance companies who may choose to defend their interests. A series of articles published by the Springfield News-Leader on May 26 tells the stories of previously silent sex abuse victims and others who say Missouri-based Kanakuk Kamps did not do enough to protect them when they were campers there. 11 Springfield News-Leader. Kanakuk supports any organization that advocates for victims of sexual abuse; however, the decision of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) to include Kanakuk in a list of Dirty Dozen without the benefit of verifying the information, including direct communication with Kanakuk, defies logic and is egregious. Dozens of additional news outlets have carried stories. Nancy French is aNew York Timesbestselling author. Kanakuk wasnt a ministry, it was a very big business.. I respectfully disagree with that comment. Sadly, this represents yet another example of an organization with good intentions falling prey to false narratives so easily spread online and through social media. More:Survivors, ex-employees say unreported abuse at Kanakuk camps in Branson spans decades. Read a more extensive account of what the new investigations expose here. We rigorously follow our Kanakuk Child Protection Plan, and train our staff and employees on how to help prevent abuse. We believe that victims of abuse should be free to share their stories in support of their healing. More than 600 organizations have been trained in the CPP to date. We desire to support victims and help them in their healing journey. BRANSON, Mo., April 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new website has launched dedicated to creating greater awareness of sexual abuse that occurred at the . Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. Reexamining Kanakuk's Abuse and Struggling to Forgive. Pete Newman, who had been a Kanakuk Kamps director, was convicted in 2010 on seven counts of sexually abusing young boys and is now serving two consecutive life sentences plus 30 years. 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. Opinion: What is Revivaland is it Happening at Asbury? For them to pursue such actions would be unfortunate, but Kanakuk has been transparent and has nothing to hide, and the perpetrators have long since been imprisoned. Our policy is not to comment on pending litigation. Pete Newman is the most thorough relationship builder with kids in Kanakuk history, Joe White once said in advertising for a father-son retreat. We know now that we have added confusion and frustration when we have spoken on this topic. On March 16, White emailed families to tell them Newman had left to deal with a family emergency and to request prayers for Newman. 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The survivors latest petition also pleads for Kanakuk leadership to admit to known failures and to invite an independent investigation. The website is supported by No More Victims LLC, an organization made up of Kanakuk survivors. Kanakuk's statement contends that the organization learned more than a decade ago about "deceptive and abusive behavior" from one of its directors and "quickly took action," including "immediate termination and reporting of the individual involved to authorities." The boy claimed that during that retreat, Newman attempted to shower and sleep naked in the hotel bed with him, but the boy successfully resisted. For more than a decade, Evan Hoffpauir believed the camp director who sexually abused him at the Branson-area Kanakuk Kamps had acted alone. A petition asking Kanakuk to release dozens of sexual abuse victims and families from non-disclosure agreements has reached more than 26,000 signatures. In 2011, a summer staff member acted inappropriately with campers. For this, we are deeply regretful and apologetic. It is an essential part of the healing journey for many, and we support this right and will not stand in the way of any who wishes to do so. A camper immediately reported the suspicious actions of the staff member in accordance with our Child Protection Plan camper training. In addition to uncovering information about the circumstances of Newmans confession to the camp, Ive also received information indicating that Newman may have created child pornography of nude and sexualized images of Kanakuk kids. Additionally, Kanakuk set out to elevate our safety practices, which resulted in the Kanakuk Child Protection Plan (the CPP). Authorities issued asearch warrantin 2009 to seize the devices after Kanakuk had them in their possession for three months. Victims of sexual abuse by former Kanakuk Kamp staffer Pete Newman (pictured above, currently serving 2 consecutive life sentences plus 30 years) have come forward and are taking legal action. 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. In the meantime, we continue to pray for all who have been affected by Pete Newmans behavior.". As a child growing up in Branson, Hoffpauir was involved with Kanakuks youth ministries, and said he was abused by Kanakuk director Pete Newman from 1999 to 2003. Weve said it before, and we will say it again, we are forever sorry for the pain inflicted on victims and their families. There are many false narratives circulating online, including one that states Kanakuk has employed other abusers. The fact is that Kanakuk has employed over 50,000 full-time and summer staff over the past 96 years. After serving more than 30 years in the K-1 ministry at two different churches I saw tremendous value in males serving our children. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? pete newman kanakuk wife pete newman kanakuk wife (No Ratings Yet) . Kanakuk Kamps, headquartered in Branson, Mo., begins camp terms next week and plans to host 20,000 children this summer. Start your search below to view summer availability. Your breed has created this nightmare in the Catholic Church the non Catholic churches and schools. Imagine being sexually abused as a child and being forced to never speak about it with anyone. Toby Neugebauer regrets not contacting federal law enforcement. And excuses were made because as Christians we must forgive. Keith Dygert, who said he was abused by Newman, reached a settlement with a non-disclosure agreement at a time when only a small portion of the story was actually known, he testified. There is so much abuse in The Church, I dont blame anyone for not wanting their children exposed to any ministry program. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. A representative for Kanakuk did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but declined to comment on similar allegations late last year, and said that we continue to pray for all who have been affected by Pete Newmans behavior., Dygert relayed a message to the committee, too: One victims 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.. 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