FL--Victims respond to alleged arson in Tampa
For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
Shame on both the person who allegedly torched a Tampa area home and on Matthew Smith who reportedly often “posts memes mocking sex assault accusations” against Donald Trump, Bill Cosby and convicted Stanford rapist Brock Turner.
Arson is wrong. But so is mocking known or possible victims of devastating sexual assaults.
We deplore violence. But we also deplore those who deliberately
--rub salt into already deep and still fresh wounds of victims of sexual violence
--essentially help predators assault more victims by deterring victims from reporting crimes
--make the work of police and prosecutors tougher, by also deterring victims from reporting crimes.
We hope this alleged vandalism will cause Smith - and others like him – to stop using social media to hurt the already hurting and endanger more innocent kids and vulnerable adults.
Here is the proper way for people to act when rape or child sex abuse reports are made public:
http://www.snapnetwork.org/links_homepage/when_priest_accused.htm
We feel sorry for Smith and his family. But it’s not easy to summon sympathy for those who, from the comfort, safety and privacy of their homes or work, use the Internet to harass victims of heinous crimes.
No matter what happens in this case, we urge every single person who saw, suspected or suffered sex crimes and cover ups to protect others by calling police, get help by calling therapists, expose wrongdoers by calling law enforcement, get justice by calling attorneys, and be comforted by calling support groups like ours. This is how all will be safer, victims will recover, criminals will be prosecuted, cover ups will be deterred and the truth will surface.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 20,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected])
Florida veteran seeks donations after home set on fire and tagged with anti-Trump slogans
TRAVIS GETTYS-30 NOV 2016
A Florida veteran is asking for help after his home was set on fire and t.
Matthew Smith, who served in the U.S. Navy, said he hasn’t displayed any signs or flags supporting Donald Trump outside his home, but he’s an outspoken supporter on Facebook of the Republican president-elect, gun militia groups and other conservative viewpoints, reported WTVT-TV.
He also frequently posts memes mocking sex assault accusations against Trump, Bill Cosby and convicted Stanford rapist Brock Turner.
Smith’s children were staying with their grandparents when . . .
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
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