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).
MO--Group hopes Supreme Court will rule in favor of abuse victims
For immediate release: Friday, Dec. 11, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
The Missouri Supreme Court may let a child sex abuse victim expose his predator in civil court even though the crimes happened years ago. We hope this brave victim succeeds.
USA--Colleges get religious exemptions; Victims group is wary
For immediate release: Friday, Dec. 11, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
It’s troubling to learn that dozens of colleges have won exemptions from laws that apply to other institutions. We believe these exemptions will make these colleges less safe for students and staff and will make it easier for administrators to hide sexual violence.
MO--Another private school teen charged in hazing case; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Another Principia student faces charges in a hazing case. Other teens at the school are accusing of sodomizing younger kids.
OR--Pedophile priest case settles; Victims group responds
For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
An abuse and cover up suit against the Portland archdiocese and a convicted predator priest has settled. We deplore the secrecy surrounding this case.
OH--Group hopes state damages cap is lifted in abuse cases
For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015
Statement by Claudia Vercellotti of Toledo SNAP (419-345-9291, [email protected])
Next week, the Ohio Supreme Court will have a chance to lift Ohio’s unwise cap on damages for victims of horrific child sex crimes. We hope the justices will side with innocent, vulnerable kids and deeply wounded adults over institutional wrongdoers.
IA--Victims challenge SC bishop on abuse
For immediate release, Thursday, December 10, 2015
Statement by SNAP leader Tim Lennon who was abused in Sioux City (415-312-5820, [email protected])
Many of us are confused by and skeptical of Sioux City's bishop's claim that he's starting a new program to teach kids about avoiding child molesters. We suspect it's just a public relations move. We hope we’re wrong.
The "new program" is touted in the Catholic diocesan newspaper under the headline “Diocese of Sioux City Promulgates Safe Environment Program in Catholic Schools.”
MA--Victims applaud new SJC ruling about child sex law
For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
The highest court in Massachusetts today made it easier for sex abuse victims to expose child molesters which will help prevent future sexual violence against the vulnerable. We applaud the court and the brave survivor who brought this case. The unanimous ruling is part of a larger, longer trend toward repealing or reforming archaic, predator-friendly statutes of limitations that keep being exploited by those who commit and conceal child sex crimes as a way to protect their secrets and evade consequences for their horrific acts.
MI--Archbishop should help prosecutors with school abuse case
For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A criminal prosecution of a Catholic youth minister and school employee is proceeding and Detroit’s archbishop should aggressively seek out others with information or suspicions about the alleged predator.
Joseph Sturza, a former director of admissions at Austin Catholic High School in Ray Township, and a former youth minister at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Macomb Township, is charged with four felony counts of sex offenses against a child.
http://www.candgnews.com/news/child-sex-abuse-case-heading-back-court-88677
MO--Unprecedented abuse/deceit suit filed vs. Catholic group
For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
In a first-ever lawsuit, an abuse victim is suing a St. Louis-based Catholic religious order for deceiving and misleading him as he reported child sexual abuse and sought to warn others about crimes and cover ups at a prominent West County school.
Almost always, child sex abuse victims sue for the abuse and cover up. Rarely, if ever, do they sue for how they’re treated by church officials once they report the abuse. That’s what Chris Wimmer is doing and we commend him for his courage. He suit points out that Catholic officials were deceitful in the past and still are today.
Wimmer was molested by Brother Louis Meinhardt and Brother John Woulfe, both Marianists, at Chaminade. He’s suing Marianist officials, however, not for the abuse but for how they’ve “misled” him in recent years since he reported the abuse.
PA--Another college rescinds Bill Cosby honor, victims applaud move
For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015
Statement by Karen Polesir of Ambler, SNAP leader (267-992-9463, [email protected])
We applaud Swathmore College officials for rescinding Bill Cosby’s honorary degree and Drexel University officials for doing so weeks ago. It’s time the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Missouri and every other institution to do the same.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/12/another_college_is_taking_bill_cosbys_honorary_deg.html
http://www.phillymag.com/news/2015/11/10/penn-revoke-bill-cosby-honorary-degree/
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