Michigan launches state-wide investigation, SNAP responds
For immediate release, September 23, 2018
Statement by Tim Lennon, SNAP President, [email protected], 415-312-5820
We commend Michigan's Attorney General for initiating an investigation of the seven Catholic dioceses in that state. Such an effort will give voice to the hundreds of victims who have been hurt, many of whom have suffered in silence for decades. A thorough investigation will provide an opportunity for victims to achieve a measure of justice by holding predators and their enablers accountable.
https://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-359-82917_88424---,00.html
Michigan joins many other states who have initiated a state-wide investigation or are exploring that possibility, including NY, NJ, IL, FL, CA, NM, and others. There may be more: we only know of the Michigan investigation because it was disclosed in the wake of a freedom of information request.
We implore the Attorney General to establish a hotline for victims and survivors to report the harm they have suffered. A hotline has been used to great effect in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In the month following the release of the Grand Jury Report the Pennsylvania hotline received an additional thousand calls, with no end yet in sight.
PA hot line 888-538-8541 still taking calls NJ hotline 877-652-2873 NY hotline 800-771-7755.
In the meantime, we encourage all survivors to contact the Michigan Attorney General.
https://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-359-82917_88424---,00.html
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact: Tim Lennon (415-312-5820 [email protected]), Becky Ianni (703-801-6044, [email protected]), Melanie Sakoda (925-708-6175, [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