Media Statements

WV Supreme Court says Mormon multi-state sex abuse lawsuit can move forward

Lawsuit alleges bishops covered up teen’s 2005 Utah conviction for sex offenses and recommended teen as babysitter for young families

Sexually violent offender, Michael Jensen, is serving 35 to 75-year sentence for child sexual abuse

Evidence points to widespread cover-up

In a stunning victory for nine victims of child sexual abuse in the Mormon Church, the West Virginia Supreme Court on Friday formally overturned a lower court, ruling there was evidence that high-ranking Mormon officials covered up for a sexually violent predator for years, allowing him to molest children in Utah and West Virginia.

     

For immediate release, Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Statement by Melanie Sakoda of Moraga, California, Volunteer Member of the Board of Directors of SNAP, the Survivors Network (925-708-6175, [email protected])

A former US Gymnastics doctor, who stands accused of sexually abusing over a hundred of his female patients, will be going to prison on federal child pornography charges. However, as part of his plea deal, none of the federal molestation charges against him will be pursued.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/07/11/536568612/doctor-accused-of-molesting-u-s-gymnasts-to-plead-guilty-to-other-charges

As members of the national survivors group SNAP, we glad that Dr. Larry Nassar will be serving time behind bars. Moreover, we appreciate that Nassar still faces numerous criminal charges in state courts and could face life in prison. He also faces civil suits that may expose men and women who knew about Nassar’s crimes and did little to nothing to stop them.

For immediate release, July 6, 2017

Statement by Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Leader, 636-433-2511, [email protected]

Another accused Altoona-Johnstown priest has been “outed” by Bishop Mark Bartchak. He's Fr. Anthony Petracca . 

We applaud the brave person who was strong enough to step forward, expose Fr. Petracca and warn the public about him. We hope this disclosure will help that individual in his or her healing. And we are confident that this move will make children safer.

We urge victims, and whistleblowers to contact secular authorities, not church officials if they have knowledge or have been harmed by Petracca. And we beg anyone who may have seen, suspected, or suffered clergy crimes - by this cleric or others - to come forward, call police, expose wrongdoing, protect kids and start healing.

For immediate release, Monday, July 2, 2017

Statement by Melanie Sakoda of Moraga, California, Volunteer Leader with SNAP, the Survivors Network (925-708-6175, [email protected])

Georgia’s largest and second-oldest boarding school, which draws students from across the country and abroad, is facing allegations that it tolerated years of sexual misconduct by at least one teacher.

http://www.myajc.com/news/local/blurred-lines-and-tolerance-sex-abuse-georgia-boarding-school/rJPsMqmn0Qf7zCuY5WWTxI/?ref=cbTopWidget

For immediate release, July 2, 2017

Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, Volunteer Western Regional Leader for SNAP, the Survivors Network (949-322-7434, [email protected])

The removal of Cardinal Mueller comes on the heels of Pope Francis' May statement that the Vatican has a backlog of 2000 child sex abuse cases. That is inexcusable.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/05/14/pope-francis-acknowledges-2000-case-backlog-in-sex-abuse-cases.html

Now that another powerful Vatican official, Cardinal Pell, has been charged with sex abuse in his native Australia, we think that Mueller’s ouster is too little, too late for the 2000 victims who have been languishing for answers. And if that means that there may be up to 2000 priests who have been accused of sexual abuse, have not seen due process, have not been removed from ministry, and who still have access to children, that could be a public safety crisis of epic proportions.

For immediate release, Thursday, June 29, 2017

Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda of Moraga, California, Orthodox Christian Leader for SNAP, the Survivors Network (925-708-6175, [email protected])

Yesterday, an Orthodox bishop was defrocked by his synod following a two year investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.

https://oca.org/news/headline-news/the-holy-synod-renders-decision-concerning-bishop-irineu-romanian-orthodox

The ecclesiastical proceedings into complaints against Bishop Irineu Duvlea, a cleric in the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), Romanian Episcopate (ROEA), were launched in September of 2015.

http://www.roea.org/news_150901_2.html

For immediate release, June 29, 2017

Statement by Steven Spaner, volunteer SNAP Australia coordinator, (+1 636-433-2511), [email protected], www.snapaustralia.org

This is probably the most significant action to be taken on behalf of survivors of clergy sexual abuse EVER.  The history of the Catholic Church has been to squelch accusations, hide and shield perpetrators, stonewall inquisitors, and re-abuse victims with ostracization, isolation and counter accusations. 

The Victoria and Melbourne law enforcement and investigative officers have shown the care, compassion, and allegiance to truth and duty that NONE of the ranking members and leaders of the Catholic Church has ever done.  

National victims support group will be available to comment, answer questions

What:

Clergy sex abuse survivors and their supporters will attend a criminal hearing for three Franciscan Friars charged with failing to properly supervise a Johnstown-area sexual predator cleric, accused of abuse by more than 90 children.