PA--Victims disappointed over Sandusky pension decision
For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
We’re disappointed that state officials are not appealing the decision that gives convicted serial child predator Jerry Sandusky a generous pension.
Any time a child molester wins in court or gets special treatment or is publicly honored or benefits after conviction, it’s hurtful to thousands of men and women who were sexually assaulted as kids. It reinforces their mistrust of the justice system and it deters victims, witnesses and whistleblowers from reporting known or suspected child sex crimes.
We would stress to Sandusky’s victims however, that they can heal regardless of what happens to Sandusky. We urge these brave young men to stay focused on their own recovery. And we urge anyone else who may have seen, suspected or suffered Sandusky’s crimes or Penn State’s complicity to speak up, get help, expose wrongdoers, protect kids and deter cover ups.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. 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 by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected], [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected])
State won't appeal ruling giving Jerry Sandusky back pension
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania's large public-sector pension system isn't appealing a court order restoring state retirement benefits to former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.
A State Employees' Retirement System spokesman says Tuesday that the agency plans to work with Sandusky's lawyers to . . .
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