Letter of Support for Neil Brick:
For the many years we have been active as advocates for survivors of extreme abuse, we have been dismayed that no matter how cogent and consistent the message we deliver, we are regularly shouted down by the backlash that appears so united it speaks with one voice. The survivor movement has many factions with frequently competing agendas and it has been disheartening to see the conflicts that have periodically erupted as differing viewpoints collide. This prevents us from presenting a united front and detracts from the force of our message.
One strong voice that has emerged from the fray has always concentrated exclusively on getting out the truth of ritual abuse and child sexual abuse in general. We are speaking of Neil Brick. Neil founded SMART and in 1995 started publishing a newsletter that included news and items of interest, announcements of books and articles, and in-depth discussions of issues. For sixteen consecutive years he has organized a conference with the goals of "helping stop future occurrences of ritual abuse, helping survivors of ritual abuse, naming groups that have participated in alleged illegal activities, and uniting those working to stop ritual abuse." These conferences have done enormous good for the survivor community. Neil has provided a safe and congenial environment where survivors and their advocates can share, learn, and teach.
Recently Neil has been engulfed in controversies not of his choosing or making. He has been the target of salacious and slanderous attacks that impugn his integrity, morality, and values. In the face of this barrage of innuendo and lies, Neil has tried to remain focused on the bigger picture: the survival of the survivor movement. To this end he has attempted to disconnect himself from the battle that threatens his reputation and direct his energies and passions toward the success of the upcoming SMART conference in August. Neil’s efforts are laudable and deserve the respect and support of the advocacy and survivor communities.
We ask you to join us in a demonstration of our support for our friend, Neil Brick, and for the courage and compassion at the core of his dedication to survivors and their right to take control of their own lives. We encourage you all to show your confidence in Neil by committing to attend the SMART conferences whenever you are able. They are not only a valuable resource from which we all benefit from sharing and learning, they offer us the opportunity for renewal, connection, and integration into the wider world beyond our personal borders. Engaging with one another and joining together to confront the challenging social, criminal, psychological and physical effects of victimization gives meaning to the suffering of survivors past and present, and brings closer a time when we can assert that there will be no future victims to join their ranks.
Neil has our unwavering and unconditional support. Please let him know he has yours too by adding your signatures to this letter of support.
Sincerely,
Written by Randy and Pam Noblitt
Endorsed by:
Jean Riseman
Eileen King
Shamai Currim PhD
Laurie Matthew
Nick Bryant
Micaela Martinez
Pamela J. Monday, Ph.D., Austin, Texas
E. Sue Blume, LCSW, Diplomate in Clinical Social Work
Kathy Downing, Burbank, CA
Jan White
deJoly LaBrier
Lynn Crook, MEd
Wanda Karriker, Ph.D.
Sarah S.
Maria Pirone
Sandra Buck
Patricia Kirby
Connie Valentine
Ginny Fouts
Jan Kraft, M.A., Ed.
Carl Raschke
Spence Everson
Dave Staffen
Mary Jo Schneller
Helen L. McGonigle
Judy Byington, MSW, LCSW, ret
Dana Raphael, PhD
Dale Griffis
Sandra Fecht M.A.
Janet Thomas
Mary Moore
Staci Sprout, LICSW, CSAT
Carmen Holiday
Keely S. Dorran
Julaine Cooper, aka Judith Swanson
Dr Carl Stonier PhD
I want to thank everyone for their tremendous support of my work. I really appreciate all those working together to help stop child abuse. Sincerely, Neil Brick
