California AG begins gathering information on clergy sexual abuse, SNAP applauds the move
California's attorney general announced today that he is soliciting complaints and information regarding incidents of sexual misconduct by clergy members. SNAP applauds this important development.
We are grateful that Attorney General Xavier Becerra has followed in the footsteps of twenty of his colleagues across the nation and taken the first step towards an investigation of clergy sexual abuse in California. We hope that Mr. Becerra’s office will also open a confidential hotline, in addition to the complaint form and email address provided.
SNAP is also delighted that, like the investigation already underway in Florida, Mr. Becerra is not limiting his information gathering to one specific faith community. While our organization may have its roots in the abuse that took place, and is still taking place, in the Catholic Church, years of experience working with survivors has shown us that no religious group is free from this scourge.
As of this writing, 19 other states and Washington D.C. have begun investigations. We hope that this action in California will encourage attorneys general who have yet to open their own investigation to consider doing so. SNAP believes that independent investigations by law enforcement are the best way to help survivors heal, promote justice, and begin developing prevention strategies for the future.
CONTACT: Melanie Sakoda, Secretary (925-708-6175, [email protected]), Dan McNevin (415-341-6417, [email protected]), Joey Piscitelli (925-262-3699, [email protected]), Zach Hiner, Executive Director ( 517-974-9009, [email protected])
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director