This profile was written by Patrick Price, Fundraising and Development Manager of SNAP, to honor our courageous and dedicated supporters and donors.

David’s journey through self-healing and self-acceptance was, as he says, “evolutionary, not revolutionary.” So, for him, the feelings of guilt and self-recrimination associated with his sexual abuse by Catholic church authorities took a long time to process and heal. At the age of sixteen, David was sexually abused by his guidance counselor at his all-boys Catholic high school in Kentucky during prayer meetings and other events the counselor held at his home. Though his abuser was transferred by the church to a variety of schools, David struggled for many years to admit that he had been abused and struggled with his feelings of shame and loneliness.

For at least 57 years, from 1947 to 2004, the Boy Scouts of America kept “Ineligible Volunteer Files” – better known as “Perversion Files” – on sexual predators in their midst.  The BSA LLC released some of these files in 2012, pursuant to an order from the Oregon Supreme Court.  In January 2013 the Los Angeles Times published a database of 5,431 “Perversion Files” – a few of which are duplications.

The below-linked article, "IDENTIFYING AS A SURVIVOR And Not as a Victim of Abuse," was written by Bailey Brown, a recent journalism graduate of Texas State University who now works for the Burleson County Tribune.

In this, Bailey's latest piece to be shared on our website, she interviews SNAP Leader Patricia Cahill. We think that you will find it powerful and informative. The article starts on page 7 of this link.

We are grateful to Bailey for covering this important topic and for allowing us to host her articles. You can read Bailey’s other pieces here and here.

This blog was written by Adults Sexually Abused by Priests (ASAP)

There is a saying that you are what you eat. I believe that to be true. Some people are sensitive to certain food groups. Some even to the point where consuming certain foods could put their life in danger. We may feel that we are our bodies and therefore we know them well, but do we really? Our bodies can be our friends or they can betray us.

This blog was written by Adults Sexually Abused by Priests (ASAP)

This past week, Pope Francis discussed harsher penalties for those priests and lay persons who groom and use pornography in order to sexually abuse children. He also expanded upon this to include those who abuse vulnerable adults. However, the term “vulnerable adult” has always tended to mean one who is physically or mentally incapable of resisting or giving consent due to disabilities. This has expanded from a basic definition of one who lacks any sort of reason.

We are a research team in the Department of Psychology at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. We are conducting a study on women sexual assault survivors’ attitudes and experiences. This online research survey will ask you to answer questions about your feelings, thoughts, and experiences you may have had as a sexual assault survivor, participation in various types of activities, mental health, and demographics. We invite you to participate in this survey to help us better understand the lives of women, including the impact of assault on psychological health.

Department of Psychology, Austin Peay Bldg

University of Tennessee

Knoxville, TN 37996-0900

This blog was written by Adults Sexually Abused by Priests (ASAP)

The first thing I want to share this week is that we found out that my two-year-old grandson is autistic.

This blog was written by Adults Sexually Abused by Priests (ASAP)

Sometimes I hate what I do.

I mean, I like the people but I hate the subject matter.

Help Others AND Earn a $30.00 Gift Card

Thank you for your interest in our research study. Please read the information below to learn more about our study, including how to contact us if you are interested in participating.

About the Study

• About the Study

  Purpose:

  To improve support and services for sexual assault survivors in Texas.

  Who?

  • 18+ years old
  • Someone who experienced unwanted sexual contact, rape, or attempted rape OR
  • Parent/guardian of a child who experienced sexual abuse.
  • https://sites.utexas.edu/idvsa/survivors-research-study/

This blog was written by Adults Sexually Abused by Priests (ASAP)

Before I begin, I want to share that in Albany, NY, there is a bill gaining momentum in the state legislature aimed at making it easier for adult survivors of sexual assault and abuse to file lawsuits. This bill comes about due to society beginning to recognize sexual abuse and the abuse of power.

This is huge. Things are beginning to happen. Can you imagine what would happen if people began coming forward? Just the recognition alone.