PA--Penn State Abuse Scandal Costs Approach a Quarter-Billion, victims respond
For immediate release, January 10, 2017
Statement by Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
Penn State officials could have done one simple thing to save a quarter billion dollars and dozens of young innocent lives: call the police when they saw or suspected abuse.
http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2017/01/10/438436.htm
No institution, no building, no football program, and no storied coach is more important than the life and innocence of one child. Unfortunately, the only way that our system can “punish” Penn State University is through large civil settlements, fines, and costs. Only a fraction of the adults involved in the conspiracy to cover-up Jerry Sandusky’s crimes will be criminally charged.
The best way to stop sex abuse scandals is not by raising fines. It’s by being vigilant. It’s by picking up the phone when you see or suspect abuse. We do not question calling the police when we see someone waving a gun. Therefore, we should never question calling the authorities when we see a child sex crime in progress.
If you see, suspect, or have suffered abuse, call law enforcement. Get help. It is safe.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 20,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested in all institutional settings, including churches, schools, clubs, and homes. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Joelle Casteix , 949-322-7434[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