There’s a lot being said about Roy Moore, the 70-year-old Christian, gun-toting hothead of Alabama who recently won the US Senate primary and has been accused by numerous women who say Moore sexually abused them when they were in their teens and Moore was 32. The youngest alleged victim was… Read More
What is religious child maltreatment?
A primer on RCM by Janet Heimlich When I began writing my book, Breaking Their Will: Shedding Light on Religious Child Maltreatment, the term religious child maltreatment or RCM did not exist. At least Google at never heard of it, as numerous online searches proved. This dearth of information indicated that… Read More
Remembering Barbara Blaine, Founder of SNAP
CFFP Board President Dr. Jaime Romo shares a remembrance of Barbara Blaine, who died on Septermber 24, 2017 at the age of 61. Ms. Blaine founded the advocacy group, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP). In 2002, as an assistant professor at a Catholic university, I attended a conference… Read More
The Cardinal Pell Case: A Turning Point for the Catholic Church?
Cases of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church are so prevalent, we tend not to pay much attention to them. But child advocates are keeping a close eye on one case that could mark a new beginning in how the church and outside authorities hold high-ranking church officials accused… Read More
ICSA Conference in Santa Fe – Nov. 3
November 3, 2017 — Santa Fe, New Mexico The Child-Friendly Faith Project’s founder and board member Janet Heimlich, along with board member Dr. Jaime Romo, will speak at the International Cultic Studies Association’s 2017 Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on November 3rd. The topic of their talk will be “Beyond Cults: Religious Child… Read More
What is Religious Child Maltreatment?
When I began writing my book, Breaking Their Will: Shedding Light on Religious Child Maltreatment, the term religious child maltreatment or RCM did not exist (and numerous searches proved that Google had never heard of it.) This dearth of information indicated that there hadn’t been much study on the negative impacts of… Read More
A Pioneer in Children’s Advocacy Retires
Anyone who follows the issue of religious child maltreatment—particularly cases in which children die from “faith healing”-related medical neglect—has heard of Dr. Rita Swan. I have had the honor of working with Rita and consider her a friend. Now this pioneer in child advocacy has announced she will retire at the end of this month.… Read More
With the close of the Idaho legislature, more children will die
We’re sorry to report that yet another year has gone by in which the Idaho legislature has refused to help children who are getting extremely ill, suffering disability, and dying—all due to lawmakers fiercely clinging to a twisted belief in “religious freedom.” (more…) Read More
What is the CFFP Designation Program?
The CFFP Designation Program is a unique curriculum designed specifically for faith communities. This structured discussion series helps members of religious organizations talk about a subject they care deeply about—meeting children’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Discussions are conducted in an environment that feels private and safe. Each faith community that completes the… Read More
Idaho Governor talks about ‘faith healing’ child deaths; town hall meeting is held
Last week, before I headed to Boise, Idaho, I was looking forward to being part of a panel discussion organized by local child advocates. The purpose was to offer a public forum for Idahoans who wanted to ask questions and share their views about the state’s religious “faith healing” exemptions. But… Read More