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. The timeline below, drawn from court documents, indicates a troubling delay between Neugebauers call to Pete Newman, the camps reporting to authorities, and Newmans arrest. A host of new allegations against Kanakuk have surfaced due to more survivors and witnesses speaking out. 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. Read more and take action below! Your breed has created this nightmare in the Catholic Church the non Catholic churches and schools. ), 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. And Tom, I stand corrected. 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. Others in support of the bill included a survivor of sexual abuse from a Boy Scouts leader in Missouri, a family member of a Boy Scouts sexual abuse victim who died by suicide, several advocates, and an attorney for victims of sexual abuse in Kansas City, who said he has to turn away hundreds of victims who are past the statute of limitations. And today I do. pete newman kanakuk wife pete newman kanakuk wife (No Ratings Yet) . We will respond further if or when appropriate. It also implied Newman left voluntarily instead of being terminated. 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. The fact is that neither Joe nor Petes supervisors would have allowed Pete around their own kids unsupervised, much less in their own homes, if they suspected him of abusing kids. Between April June 2021, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation was contacted by three survivors of sexual abuse allegedly taking place at Kanakuk. Martens also did not want to go into specifics on how Friday's lawsuit could impact settlements Kanakuk has reached over the years with other sexual abuse victims across the country. We've said it before, and we will say it again, we are forever sorry for the . 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. Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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 Missouris statute of limitations, Hoffpauir said. Patriarchal Christianity provides the perfect environment for committing and covering up sexual abuse. conservative online news outlet The Dispatch, Survivors, ex-employees say unreported abuse at Kanakuk camps in Branson spans decades, It was just a thing at Kanakuk: Campers and staff say nudity was part of camp culture, Kanakuk camper says she was told to apologize, denied call home after reporting abuse, Kanakuk's statement provided in response to the News-Leader's questions, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. However, no camp leadership has resigned, been fired, or been held accountable for their inaction towards adecade of Newmans nudity and parental complaints, even though they promoted Newman and made him the focal point of promotional materials. For reasons that remain unclear, Newman finally confessed his crimes to White, Goodwin, and Cooper, the senior leadership at the camp.. In 2009, former director Pete Newman was convicted for abusing children. What was the camps response? Pete, my dads standing right here, and Im going to let you go tell [your wife] and to say goodbye to your child for the last time before youll be in custody. [Read Examples]. OnSeptember 15, Newman was finally arrested. 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. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. In May, a camp director told Kanakuk employees that Newman was dealing with hyper-sensitive parental complaints about hugging but would return soon. My impression after my interactions with the camp was this, he told me during a phone interview. 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. We know now that we have added confusion and frustration when we have spoken on this topic. We desire to support victims and help them in their healing journey. 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 Fayetteville, Ark. Kanakuk leadership received reports of Newman engaged in nude activity with campers as early as 1999, according to an affidavit of Newmans former supervisor. Every childs safety is our No. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. Kanakuk has said these men were fired and reported to law enforcement as soon as the abuse came to light. I also have a copy of the lawsuit that I understand is currently being filed- the defendants include At the time, he believed that successor could be Pete Newman, who was the well-loved and respected camp director, held up by White as a role model. For this reason, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation has named Kanakuk Kamps to the 2022 Dirty Dozen List. Jody Jones, who flew from Utah to testify, was a camper at Kanakuk in 1985, when she was 8. For more than a decade, the camp has been under scrutiny for reports of sexual abuse. Furthermore, Kanakuk continues to offer support to victims, including providing independent counseling if desired. Martens said Yandell is leading a successful life now but must still deal with the traumatic effects of being sexually abused as a child. Remember the Boy Scouts. He was a master of deception fooling not only Kanakuk but also his friends, neighbors, and even his own family. Additionally, Joe White and Pete Newmans former supervisors have provided sworn testimony that they did not learn of Mr. Newmans illegal activities until March 2009, when Kanakuk took immediate action. 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. We absolutely want to clarify this. Our hope and prayers are for the restoration and healing of victims and their families, and we will continue to seek direct dialogue in pursuit of this. As soon as Kanakuk became aware of abuse, we took action, including immediate termination and reporting him to authorities. It was just one time.. Known as a charismatic director and ambassador for the camp prior to his 2009 arrest, Newman was charged with crimes involving six underage victims and admitted during sentencing to having inappropriate activity with as many as 13 more campers, according to past News-Leader reporting. Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia), along with other lawmakers, disagreed with those opposed. Red flag. This service is free to readers and other news outlets. After consulting with his father, Neugebauer called Newman to confront him. OnApril 23, a Kanakuk attorney offered to meet with Taney County officials. They bear witness to the truth that while Christ came to save us from sins eternal consequences, sin is still with us and is deceptive, destructive, and evil. Reexamining Kanakuk's Abuse and Struggling to Forgive. The survivors, family members, and advocates who testified in favor of the bill argued that childhood sexual abuse survivors can take years to come forward and that evidence of institutional wrongdoing that would spur civil action can take years to come to light, too, necessitating a higher cap on the age limit. Pete Newman was a master of deception fooling not only Kanakuk but also his friends, neighbors, and even his own family. The fact is that neither Joe nor Petes immediate supervisors would have ever allowed him to remain on staff if they suspected him of abusing kids. 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. You a guy all excited about children ministry or K-4 as a teacher. Additionally, Kanakuk set out to elevate our safety practices, which resulted in the Kanakuk Child Protection Plan (the CPP). The boys allegedly recorded were ages 13 to 16. 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. We were wrong in our understanding of the language of many of these agreements, and we failed to recognize the restrictions both real and perceived that many victims are under. Responsibility, accountability, and transparency must be required of institutions like Kanakuk Kamps if we wish to stamp out child sexual abuse. All statements on this page were submitted by verified survivors of abuse at Kanakuk Kamps. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. I dont think that person called the cops. A short statute of limitations can be lethal, as my family knows, Phillips said, later adding: I used to refer to him as a survivor. Five other men who served on Kanakuks staff in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s have been convicted of sex crimes perpetrated after they served on Kanakuk staff. Neugebauerbelieving the retreat would be beneficial for the boyallowed him to use his frequent flier miles to make the trip more affordable. This site operates behind anonymity, and freely spreads defamatory statements and information taken out of context, while attacking anyone who supports Kanakuk. 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. Logan's family says from age 9 to 13, he was sexually abused by Pete Newman, a Kanakuk counselor, and later, camp director. The settlements inhibit victims and their families from sharing their stories and as a result, hinder their recovery process. Richard AuBuchon, representing American Property Casualty Insurance Association, a national trade association for insurers, and Missouri Civil Justice Reform Coalition, which represents business interests in Missouris litigation environment, said the bill is unconstitutional, pointing to the revival of claims portion, and said 55 years old is simply too long.. By Nancy French and David French Dec 23, 2021 90 Yandell's attorneys say the family became aware in December 2021 thanks to reporting published in conservative online news outlet The Dispatch that Newman's direct supervisor, Will Cunningham, had recommended Newman be fired in 2003 based on multiple reports of child sexual abuse, but White overruled the recommendation and later promoted Newman to camp director. Among the new details: Lets start with the most frequently asked question stemming from our original article. Worked as college interns. 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. Despite these distractions, we remain focused on the ministry work that has been a light and beacon of hope and joy to generations of families for the past century. OnMarch 10, Newman confessed and gave White, Goodwin, and Cooper a list of victims names. Prior to that, Smith was Vice President-Mission Advancement for the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. 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. @Kanakuk, its time to issue annual transparency and response reports and prioritize preventing such abuse in the future. We are humbled and grateful when we can have direct conversations. Our hope is that every single one would leave Kanakuk with a desire to live the Im Third lifestyle, placing God first, others second, and themselves third. 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. Were talking about organizations that cover up and they work together they work cohesively to make sure the truth doesnt come outTo suggest that we cant go up to those organizations and cap a statute, I think is inappropriate, Smith said. 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. We see this is the third article this month youve found worth reading. Apr 09, 2021, 11:06 ET. Watch Video Victims Speak Out About Sexual Abuse at Kanakuk CBS Dallas/Ft Worth Phillips said the non-disclosure agreement Carlock had to sign in the settlement left him scared to speak about his abuse even in therapeutic settings, and that a short statute of limitations can cause survivors to be rushed into civil litigation and burdensome settlements, as she said her brother experienced. Our Kanakuk Child Protection Plan, which contains over 340 identifiable and measurable protective elements, is integrated throughout our organization and has been shared with more than 600 youth-serving organizations across the country. Kanakuk also fully supported the law enforcement investigation and prosecution of the abuser. We also recognize that an essential part of healing is the ability for victims to share their stories. My perception was that Joe was camp first, victims second. We had several fights where I begged, pleaded and demanded he do the right thing.. We are only a small fraction of the Kanakuk survivors, yet our collective abuse experiences span from the 1950s to 2022. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. New allegations of child sexual abuse at Kanakuk Kamps, Kanakuk Kamps Must Be Held Accountable for Systemic Sexual Abuse, Myriad Survivors Reveal Years of Hidden Institutional Abuse at Kanakuk Kamps, STATEMENT Kanakuk Kamp Leaders Must Be Held Accountable for Child Sexual Abuse. 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. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Martens said evidence his group has uncovered disputes that claim. How many victims have to die before the camp is held accountable? Any victim can reach out to Kanakuk by emailing us at victimsupport@kanakuk.com or access several independent victim advocacy organizations such as ChildHelp.org or Rainn.org, who can provide access to local support services, reporting assistance, and educational resources. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? Reed Martens, another one of Yandell's attorneys with the law firm Monsees and Mayer, said Yandell feels it is important to speak out against Kanakuk's handling of sexual abuse cases despite the 2010 non-disclosure agreement. We also realize that we have added confusion and frustration when we have spoken on this topic. Claiming things like Kanakuk continues to fail on basic safety practices and protocols and stating that Kanakuk ..ignores other known perpetrators and their enablers, including those in leadership at Kanakuk to this day. They distort the truth, promote false narratives, and harass individuals who oppose them. There also seems to be a problem with recruitment screening. The USA Today piece, Survivors, ex-employees say Kanakuk Christian camp ministered to its sexual predators, reveals several new cases of abuse of children at the hands of Kanakuk staff and even other campers spanning decades, apparent dismissals and cover-ups of cases, and gross mishandling of reports that from the evidence available seem to prioritize protecting Kanakuk and predators over young victims and grown survivors. We look forward to the next century of building next-generation leaders. Neugebauers account also lines up with court testimony, which indicates Newman was fired on March 10, 2009, but does not explain why Kanakuk insisted the catalyst for the confession was a letter from an attorney. Martens said with Friday's lawsuit, Yandell and his family are hoping to get justice. Rather, it appears this group is craftily hiding their identity while simultaneously leveraging the pain of victims to advance their agenda. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com. Kanakuk set out to become an industry leader on the issue of abuse when it launched its own child protection program after Newman's case. He believed other predators could be at the camp, as well as other victims. 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. More to the point is the echoing in church organisations of worldly power structures. But he didnt survive past the age of 29, so now I refer to him as a victim, and Im trying to be his voice., Former camper suing Missouri-based Kanakuk claiming fraudulent abuse settlement. The e-mail did not mention Newmans sex abuse, law enforcement, or any investigations. A now-27-year-old man who was sexually abused as a child at Kanakuk Kamps in Branson is suing the Christian summer camp, claiming Kanakuk leadership lied to him and his parents about their knowledge of other sexual abuse allegations involving disgraced counselor Peter D. Newman. "He's one of the most prolific serial abusers that I've ever heard of," French said during Wednesday's St. Louis on the Air. Sadly, their tactics are in opposition to true healing; instead they appear intent on stirring old painful emotions and attempting to convince survivors that they have been deceived by Kanakuk. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. No More Victims LLC, the group behind the Facts About Kanakuk website, said in a statement it has received reports of eight Kanakuk victims whose deaths are suspected to be related to their abuse., The News-Leader reported, One Newman victim, Trey Carlock, died by suicide in 2019 shortly after settling his case with Kanakuk. A camper immediately reported the suspicious actions of the staff member in accordance with our Child Protection Plan camper training. Jesus did not want any of this. "Kanakuk actively concealed what they knew about the sexual abuse being perpetrated by Pete Newman and induced victims and survivors into settlements and NDAs, said Robert Thrasher, one of Yandell's attorneys, in a news release. Join survivor voices by supporting this open letter to Joe White, Kanakuk Ministries, and all affiliated entities. Toby Neugebauer regrets not contacting federal law enforcement. Vice News speaks with survivors, who say the camp has used confidentiality clauses to keep them quiet. In both instances, Kanakuk fully supported the law enforcement investigation and prosecution of the abuser. Weve said it before, and we will say it again, we are forever sorry for the pain inflicted on victims and their families. Or is your son over there or is he supposed to be? This maternal concern is what she believed forced Petes confession, but she wasnt sure. Prior to this, no one on Kanakuk staff believed that Pete Newman was abusing or had abused kids. And I believed this narrative for over a decade.. A now-27-year-old man who was sexually abused as a child at Kanakuk Kamps in Branson is suing the Christian summer camp, claiming Kanakuk leadership lied to him and his parents about their. Kanakuk will continue to apply and evaluate our safety practices to help keep Kamp safe and fun for all. @Kanakuk, acknowledge your complacency in the sexual abuse that went on in your camp. A 50-page . One counselor told me that camp director Collin Sparks explained Newmans absence by saying some overly sensitive families who didnt get who Pete was had complained and caused Pete to have to take a little time away, but hell be here soon.. Its never one time, Neugebauer recalls telling Newman, insisting on the confession. 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. This new information adds to the alreadysubstantial body of evidencethat camp leaders sought to downplay evidence of wrongdoing, even if doing so added to the trauma of those whod been abused and made additional camper abuse more likely. Branson-based Kanakuk Kamps and its associated ministries area multi-million-dollar global enterprise that includes the largest evangelical sports camp in the world. King's church normally participates in Kanakuk Kamps' KampOut, a popular five-day Christian program for youth offered on-site at churches around the country. Abuse happens in many contexts. Ill never forget that call, Neugebauer said, saying he knew the 13-year-old child to be honest. Kanakuk Kamps, headquartered in Branson, Mo., begins camp terms next week and plans to host 20,000 children this summer. 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. Represented by a law firm, this group has continued over the past year to post misstatements, carefully edited video content, misleading information, and defamatory statements while harassing campers, families and organizations who associate with Kanakuk. We rigorously follow our Kanakuk Child Protection Plan, and train our staff and employees on how to help prevent abuse. While free to share their story, the specific terms of the settlement agreement must remain confidential. Our problem wasnt a lack of information, it was an abundance. It was the worst 24 hours of my life. Yandell and his parents reached a civil settlement with Kanakuk in 2010 regarding abuse Yandell suffered at the hands of Newman, who is now in prison on two life sentences for sexually abusing multiple children at the evangelical summer camp. The camp did not initially disclose the cause for Newmans termination. To donate, Documentary On Sexual Abuse Allegations At Christian Camp Kanakuk Wins Emmy, GRACE Finds Sex Abuse Allegations Against Chris Rice Credible, Young Life Accused of Ignoring or Covering Up Allegations of Sexual Misconduct, Why Businessman Peter Chung Matters for the Future of The Kings College. Kamps, Berlin: See 59 unbiased reviews of Kamps, rated 3.5 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #2,764 of 7,413 restaurants in Berlin. Mondays hearing was on legislation that would extend the civil statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The child she named was the same child Neugebauer helped send on the ill-fated retreat. 1 priority. We have attempted to engage in constructive conversation with NCOSE [Read Kanakuk Letter to NCOSE] and will continue to explore opportunities to do so. More:It was just a thing at Kanakuk: Campers and staff say nudity was part of camp culture. Dozens of additional news outlets have carried stories. The true fact is that this group is not interested in anything more than furthering their agenda. As soon as Kanakuk became aware of abuse, we took action, including immediate termination, and subsequently reported him to authorities. 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. It is possible, considering the large number of Newman victims, that several catalyzing events occurred at generally the same time. For years, a former staffer at Kanakuk Kamps, one of the country's most popular Christian summer camps, abused dozens of boys. Since the publication of our first article, I have learned more from sources who have come forward dailyeven hourlywith additional details. Last month, my husband David French and I published areportdescribing how one of the largest Christian camps in the world reacted to repeated red flag warnings about the inappropriate behavior of a counselor in ways that we described as troubling and inadequate. , 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. We immediately began conversations with identified victims and their families and notified parents of current and former campers. Where we have failed in this effort, we are sincerely sorry. Our stance is simple every victim deserves the right to share in the pursuit of healing. Ironically, their Contact page discloses that their information is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date. Sadly, in todays 24/7, monetized news industry, copy-paste journalism allows for this type of misinformation to be spread quickly and without merit [Proverbs 17:4]. 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