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).
National- Victims on general's sex trial: Stop calling it “an affair”
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
In the court-martial of Army Brigadier General Jeffrey Sinclair, accused of sexual assault for allegedly twice forcing oral sex on a soldier, the words “affair” and “mistress” should never appear. Those are inaccurate terms.
OR- New Portland Catholic bishop appointed; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Msgr. Peter Leslie Smith is the new auxiliary of the Portland Catholic archdiocese. We are disappointed by this choice.
MT- Church officials should act now, not wait for settlements
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 04, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
As part of a yet-to-be-finalized settlement with clergy sex abuse victims, Helena Catholic officials say they'll release the names of credibly accused child molesting clerics. They should have done this years ago and we urge them to do this now. There's no reason they cannot or should not.
NY- Men to rank NY private schools on safety; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
We applaud these compassionate men of the Horace Mann Action Coalition who are devising a system of rating New York private schools on how they handle child sex crimes.
OK- Victims applaud prosecutors for appealing child sex case
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Statement by Judy Jones of St. Louis, Midwest Assistant Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (636 433 2511, 314 974 5003, [email protected])
We are grateful that McAlester prosecutors are appealing the recent dismissal of a child sex abuse case involving a Jehovah's Witness elder (Ronald Lawrence) who is accused of molesting three girls.
IL- Pedophile priest worked in 3 Illinois dioceses
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 4, 2014
For more information: Barbara Blaine, SNAP Founder and President (312)399-4747, [email protected] and David Clohessy, SNAP Executive Director (314) 566-9790 cell, [email protected]
Pedophile priest worked in 3 Illinois dioceses
He was publicly exposed two weeks ago for first time
Sex abuse victims seek help from Cardinal George
Group blasts “bare minimum” approach by Catholic officials
CA- Jehovah's Witness sentenced for child sex crimes; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Monday, March 3, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
We are grateful that a Jehovah's Witness elder will spend time in prison and register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Now, JW officials and congregants must aggressively seek out others who may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes.
NJ- Victims blast Newark pastor
For immediate release: Monday, March 3, 2014
Statement by Mark Crawford, New Jersey director of SNAP (732-632-7687, [email protected])
A Newark Catholic pastor is telling his flock that “the media is our devil." We believe Fr. Peter Palmisano should be disciplined for this hurtful remark.
TX- Prosecutor blasts ex-priest for alleged dishonesty; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Monday, March 3, 2013
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 shocking display of bias, a Catholic prosecutor has impugned a man's honesty because he left the priesthood.
Canada- Ministers: We were deceived by backers of convicted archbishop
For immediate release: Monday, March 3, 2014
For more info: Melanie Jula Sakoda 925-708-6175 cell, [email protected], Cappy Larson [email protected], David Clohessy 314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]
Ministers say they were "deceived"
Fundraiser for convicted predator won't happen in Ottawa
He was Orthodox Church’s highest ranking cleric in Canada
But in Jan a judge found archbishop guilty of sexually assaulting a boy
Victims’ group calls for investigation into "hurtful & disturbing situation"
SNAP: “Discipline church officials who participated in this callous effort”
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