Media Statements
We are SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. We are the largest, oldest and most active support group for women and men wounded by religious authority figures (priests, ministers, bishops, deacons, nuns and others).
USA--Victims respond to “damning” new series about predatory doctors
For immediate release: Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Statement by Mary Dispenza, volunteer Seattle director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (425-644-2468, [email protected])
The Atlantic Journal-Constitution (AJC) has conducted a sweeping investigation analyzing 100,000 disciplinary orders against doctors filed since 1999: doctors.AJC.com
It found “Of the 3,100 doctors that the newspaper identified as having been sanctioned for sexual misconduct, 2,400 of them had a violation involving a patient and half still have active medical licenses. These figure represents only a fraction of the actual accusations of sexual abuse by doctors because these cases are often dealt with in secrecy or ambiguity by state regulations and hospital officials.”
MD--Huge clergy sex abuse settlement disclosed; Priest was in DC & MD
For immediate release: Wednesday, July 6, 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])
A victim of a notorious predator priest who spent time in DC and Maryland has settled with the predator’s Catholic supervisors for $4.5 million. We applaud this brave survivor for being brave enough to disclose his suffering, wise enough to seek justice in court and strong enough to endure a long process of litigation.
AR--Arkansas chaplain convicted of abuse; Victims respond
For immediate release: Tuesday, July 5, 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])
We are grateful that a predatory prison chaplain was caught, pled guilty and has been sentenced. We hope others with information or suspicions about the crimes of Kenneth Dewitt will come forward and start healing. http://www.areawidenews.com/story/2319355.html
All too often predators seek positions like chaplain where they’ll have authority over and access to vulnerable individuals who are less likely to report crimes or be believed if they do.
PA--Victims blast Penn State players over Paterno statue
For immediate release: Tuesday, July 5, 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 the Penn State alums who put their idolatry of one coach over the safety of kids and the healing of victims. University officials should never restore the Paterno statue and these ex-players should move on.
NJ--Abusive minister strikes again; Victims respond
For immediate release: Tuesday, July 5,2016
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])
It’s heartbreaking that a fugitive child molesting New Jersey minister has apparently assaulted another youngster while his church colleagues do little or nothing to help law enforcement catch him or help warn other church members about him.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/07/fugitive_preachers_alleged_sex_abuse_rampage_conti.html
VT--Abusive seminarian is sentenced; Victims respond
For immediate release: Friday, July 1, 2016
Statement by Judy Jones, SNAP associate Midwest director (636 422 2511,[email protected])
A former Catholic seminarian from Vermont who tried to arrange to sexually abuse babies was just sentenced, but the crux and cause of his crimes has basically been ignored - a secretive, self-serving clerical culture that gives troubled clerics repeated chances to hurt kids.
http://www.cbs8.com/story/32354733/sentencing-for-man-who-tried-to-buy-toddler-in-tijuana
CA--Abusive seminarian is sentenced; Victims respond
For immediate release: Friday, July 1, 2016
Statement by Judy Jones, SNAP associate Midwest director (636 422 2511, [email protected])
A former Catholic seminarian who tried to arrange to sexually abuse babies was just sentenced but the crux and cause of his crimes has basically been ignored - a secretive, self-serving clerical culture that gives troubled clerics repeated chances to hurt kids.
http://www.cbs8.com/story/32354733/sentencing-for-man-who-tried-to-buy-toddler-in-tijuana
Ghana--Victims want Vatican to discipline Ghana bishop
For immediate release: Friday, July 1, 2016
Statement by Joelle Casteix of Orange County, SNAP volunteer western regional director, 949 322 7434, [email protected]
Vatican officials should discipline a retired bishop in Ghana.
USA--Nearly 30 colleges still honor Bill Cosby
For immediate release: Friday, July 1, 2016
For more info; David Clohessy, 314 566 9790 [email protected], Barbara Dorris, 314-503-0003[email protected]
Nearly 30 colleges still honor Bill Cosby
They’re in 16 states from ME to CA to GA
Victims beg universities to rescind actor’s degrees
SNAP: “Ignoring his crimes rubs salt into deep wounds”
Group also says degrees “send chilling message to others in pain
A support group for abuse victims is calling on 28 US colleges, from coast to coast, to rescind honors they’ve given to Bill Cosby to ‘help reduce the helplessness and hopelessness felt by millions of victims of sexual violence” and “make it easier for those in pain to come forward, report criminals and deter crime.
FL--Jury acquits thrice-accused teacher; Abuse victims respond
For immediate release: Friday, July 1, 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])
Our hearts ache for the girl who was sexually abused by a Coral Springs teacher who has evaded justice. It must be devastating for her and her family to sit through a criminal trial and watch the criminal get off thanks to shrewd lawyering, even though he initially confessed to the crimes and faces two other accusers.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-coral-springs-molestation-closings-20160630-story.html