IRE - Victims applaud N.I. abuse inquiry
For immediate release Monday, January 13, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A formal governmental inquiry into child sex crimes and maltreatments at Northern Ireland institutions – many run by Catholic organizations – begins today.
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/13/care-home-abuse-inquiry-northern-ireland
Our hearts break for these thousands of brave victims of child molesting clerics, many of whom suffered years of abuse at the hands of those entrusted with their care. Several hundred will offer testimony. We suspect that many more cannot or will not because they continue to struggle and suffer today.
But we are encouraged by this government inquiry. It’s only a first step. But it’s better than no step at all.
We hope, however, that more will be done to reduce the pain of those who have been so severely wounded as kids and betrayed as adults. And we hope that archaic, predatory-friendly secular laws will be reformed to deter employers and officials from concealing crimes against kids now and in the future.
Children will be safer only when all those officials who commit or conceal these horrific crimes are publicly exposed and held accountable.
We believe the inquiry must hold responsible all those involved in this scandal, from the highest ranking government official to the nuns involved in the day to day care. No one is above the law.
Contact David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688home, 314-503-0003 cell, [email protected])
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