SNAP responds: Bishop Persico against SOL window
For immediate release, August 30, 2018
Statement by: Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Regional Leader: 636-433-2511, [email protected]
The explosive revelations of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report have forced bishops across the nation to respond. Bishop Perisco’s proposal on Statute of Limitation denies fundamental reform.
http://www.goerie.com/news/20180830/eries-persico-backs-compensation-fund-for-victims
Bishops no longer get to set the terms. We cannot rely on the church hierarchy to tell the truth or protect children. The voice of the community must be heard.
Yes, dramatic reform or elimination of the statute of limitation laws must be made. We also want a window, a look back window, that allows those who have been cruelly abused to seek justice opening reporting abuses past existing SOL laws. The combination of church coverups and survivor troubles means that many victims are unable to seek justice.
The second element of Bishop Perisco proposal is to set up a fund. Yes, the church must take responsibility for the harm done to hundreds and thousands of children, minors, and vulnerable adults. These survivors need forms of restorative justice, job training, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, etc. But these funds do not deter future crimes, do not expose enablers, do not protect kids. It is insulting to think and act like all that victims want is money. We want the truth exposed we want the crimes prevented.
The real message of Bishop Perisco deters public action. He maintained the coverup for years and perpetuates the practice of coverups of previous bishops in Eire.
Look, the Pennsylvania Grand Jury is an ongoing investigation. Bishop Perisco wants to control the situation—he cannot. We call on every citizen to report sexual abuse to the Attorney General hotline: 888-538-8541.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, 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 25,000 supporters. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org )
Contact - Judy Jones, (636-433-2511, [email protected]), Tim Lennon (415-312-5820, [email protected]), Becky Ianni (703-801-6044, [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