The Vatican has expressed “shame and sorrow” over the sexual abuse of at least 1,000 children by more than 300 Catholic priests in Pennsylvania, and has said Pope Francis is “on the side” of survivors. The grand jury report, nearly 900 pages long, was the result of one of the largest US investigations into sexual abuse in the Catholic church. It detailed both the scale of abuse and the extraordinary lengths the church went to conceal and protect the perpetrators. “Victims should know that the pope is on their side. Those who have suffered are his priority, and the church [...]

The author states a Kentucky law has “good intentions” but is burdensome for school districts around the state because the law requires child abuse and neglect background checks of public school personnel, student teachers, contractors, and parents on school based decision making councils. A letter from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which is responsible for processing the checks, is required to verify a check has been completed. Prior to the new law, criminal background checks were required for all school system employees and school volunteers. Now, the background checks include a state social worker’s substantiation of child abuse or [...]

Image taken from art4apurpose.org A shout out to Art 4 A Purpose, a similar organization like us. empowering children and their communities to recognize child abuse and get help through art. Art 4 a Purpose invites the community to view its annual Cake Decorating, Coloring and Art Contest on display at CoMMA through Thursday, June 28. The organization is using the event to further its mission of using the arts to raise awareness of child abuse.  Artists, photographers, writers and coloring artists from across Burke County, NC have submitted works that seek to educate the public of the [...]

When we started this foundation we fully anticipated that it would be a vehicle to help educate parents, students, and caregivers.  What I didn't anticipate was that others would then become educators themselves and even more intense is that one of them would be my beautiful niece Breanna Horner.  She chose the topic of child sexual abuse for her senior project, inspired by mine and her mothers history of abuse.  When you click on the link you will be viewing the project that she put together, edited and presented! She did an amazing job and I was moved to tears [...]

After holiday shopping? Here is how YOU can shop and help our foundation!  When you shop through AmazonSmile, for every $$$ you spend Amazon will donate a percentage to a charity that you select!  You can sign up and find our charity by clicking the link provided. Each time you log onto Amazon, just make sure you are on the Smile program. Sign Up for Smile Here

Ehett Hackett at Camp Twitch & Shout Fundraiser HPF took part in the 3rd annual fundraiser for Camp Twitch & Shout by purchasing a table and attending the event and supporting awareness of those affected with Tourette’s syndrome. Each year, children get to attend this one week camp at Camp Twitch and Shout in which they get to relax and be themselves without the fear of being made fun of or bullied in an environment that helps to build self-esteem. Many children affected with this have very few friends and isolate themselves. Funds raised goes towards scholarships so children [...]

Take a look at Chad Fletcher, Executive Director for Michigan HPF Chapter, alongside with Oprah once again! In 2010, the ‘Oprah’ show hosted 200 men, each of whom stood bravely to say that they had been molested as children.  Among their stories was that of Chad who recalled how his own father molested him repeatedly and how, when he finally told other family members, they refused to believe him. Now, Oprah sits down one-on-one with Fletcher, who talks openly about his overcoming the abuse, and how he continues to heal, plus other updates from men who bravely came forward. Catch this amazing [...]

Today marks the 4th anniversary of the landmark Oprah Winfrey Show that I had the honor to be on “200 Men Molested” It was the first time that I publicly spoke of my own personal story and speaking thereafter. My life changed forever that day in the best of ways! At that time, and going forward the outpouring of support from everyone has been amazing! The last 4 years have been incredible with new and exciting opportunities and I am so blessed! I dedicate today to the 199 other men who stood alongside me on that show - shattering the [...]

On Saturday,  January 11th , – co-founder Rhett Hackett had the pleasure of being asked and participated in the inaugural radio show Down Town Hot Radio for the RAPP Show hosted by Andrea Johnson.  Rhett, along with Torrance Young and Derrick Hook from ISWAT and Walil, an independent activist participated in a panel style talk show.  The topic centered around today’s young men, the dangers they face, and why boys (who become men) don’t tell or speak up when they are affected by crisis or trauma.  Speaking from the perspective of HPF’s mission, Rhett talked about child sexual abuse, domestic violence in the home, and [...]