Act 3

Join the SNAP Action Team

This Act ended 2/23/15. Thank you to all who participated in Act 3!

What: This week, a survivor spoke out in an interview with Al Jazeera America about the sexual abuse at the hands of a prominent Illinois imam. Arrested earlier this week, he has been charged with felony criminal sexual abuse of three other minors, although he denies the allegations.

Why: It takes courage for survivors to speak publicly about their abuse. By showing our support for sexual abuse survivors, we create a community that works to hold perpetrators accountable and shows survivors that it’s okay to speak out.

How to complete Act 3: Write a comment on this article -

Alleged Victim in Illinois Imam Sex Abuse Case Speaks Out

Comment suggestions:

- Praise and support this survivor for her courage in speaking publicly
- Let her and others know they are not alone
- Encourage other survivors to come forward and seek justice
- Thank the news network for covering and airing her story
- Urge our broader community to support and stand with all sexual abuse survivors

Or you can copy and paste the statement of support below:

“I support Lana and thank her for courageously coming forward to share her story, seek justice, and protect others at risk!”

Share your comment on Facebook and Twitter too. Make sure to include a link to the article.

When: Please submit your comment by this Monday, Feb 23rd.

Wait - you're not finished yet! Once you've completed the action, in order to get credit for this Act, you must do two things:

1) Check the box below that says "I Completed Act 3."

2) Show the team what you did! Copy and paste your comment into the blue section below marked COMMENTS.

And let us know if you have questions - we're here to help! Email us at [email protected] with questions or concerns.

Remember – your voice counts! When we expose the lies, we stand up for victims and take power away from the abusers. When we all speak out together, we create a movement that the world cannot ignore.

So let’s SNAP into action!

SNAP Action Team

[email protected]

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Showing 9 comments

Adler Intern 1 commented 2015-02-24 10:08:52 -0600
Barbara Blaine completed Act 3. “The victims who are speaking up are incredibly brave. Their actions will make children and vulnerable adults safer. They should receive gratitude, awards and recognition for their courage from the community. Of course, it is difficult to believe it could be true, that a trusted and revered religious leader would commit sex crimes. But it can be true and refusing to believe in the possibility only causes more pain and suffering. Of course, he has a right to a trial and for the public to withhold judgment. But in the meant time support of the accused should be done privately and respect for the accusers should be public. It is far easier for a powerful leader to restore his reputation if it turns out he is falsely accused than it is for the vulnerable to restore their innocence once it is shattered. Now, more than ever, it is important for anyone else with information to report it to police. To all survivors, please know that it was not your fault. You are not alone. In spite of how much it hurts now, it will not always feel this bad. Healing is possible and you can experience peace. Things will get better. With gratitude and best wishes to Lana and all the survivors!”
Barbara Blaine (a survivor of priest abuse)
SNAP President, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
snapnetwork.org
Adler Intern 1 commented 2015-02-24 10:08:02 -0600
Paul and Barb Telle completed Act 3. “Lena is a very courageous person to come forward. And, Aljazeera is also to be credited to report this atrocious incident. The imam talks to the mother but doesn’t have the courage to talk to the abused. Shame on him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is how it should be in the Catholic church: take responsibility and own up.
We commend Lena on opening up and stepping forward. We fully support her in her journey of the rest of her life. We hope she turns to SNAP.”
Adler Intern 1 commented 2015-02-24 09:39:13 -0600
Tim Lennon completed Act 3. “I honor the courage of the victim who stepped forward and named the crime and named the criminal. Too often those who hold high positions use their power and prestige to prey on the vulnerable. The use of religious authority and prestige to abuse further betrays the victim.
When Lana, the victim, reported to the police she gave leadership for all those who have been abused and are suffering alone. I urge others who have been abused to report their abuse to the police.
I am honored to work with a network of survivors who were victimized by clergy, including priests, nuns, monks, deacons, elders, rabbis and ministers. We (SNAPnetwork.org) work to help all survivors of unwanted sexual abuse and prevent child abuse.
Those in power, bishops, generals, coaches, rabbis, imans, university administrators, elders, admirals, teachers, must be held accountable for their actions. The reporting of Al Jazeera helps raise community awareness to the important issue of sexual abuse.”
Adler Intern 1 commented 2015-02-24 09:32:21 -0600
Kristi Schiroo completed Act 3: "Thank you, Lana, for speaking out against such atrocities and voicing the truth of your story. I applaud you for your courageousness and want you to know that there are others of us out here who support you and are cheering you on. You are not alone in this journey, although it can often feel that way. For those of you still suffering in silence, I would encourage you to come forward and join your voice to those others of us who have come forward in seeking justice. Healing is possible! Please consider reaching out to a SNAP member for support and encouragement. Thank you, Al Jazeera, for covering and airing this survivor’s story! "
Melanie Sakoda commented 2015-02-22 23:32:18 -0600
Here is my comment, which I also shared on Facebook, and in an abbreviated version on Twitter.

I am awed by Lana’s courage in coming forward. I hope that anyone else who experienced, witnessed, or suspected abuse by Mohammad Abdullah Saleem will be inspired by her bravery and contact law enforcement. There are people who will believe you and support you!
@MelanieSakoda tweeted link to this page. 2015-02-22 23:31:25 -0600
SNAP into Action with me! I just completed a SNAP Act. http://www.snapnetwork.org/act_3?recruiter_id=21899
Reply · Retweet · Favorite
Melanie Sakoda posted about this on Facebook 2015-02-22 23:31:25 -0600
SNAP into Action with me! I just completed a SNAP Act.
Rebecca Ianni commented 2015-02-20 18:51:56 -0600
My heart goes out to “Lana”. As a victim of sexual abuse I know how hard it can be to come forward .It can be especially hard for an adult victim who was abused by someone in a position of power reach out for help. The fear of not being believed or blamed keeps victims silent. I hope her bravery in speaking out encourages other victims of abuse to come forward to civil authorities so that they can begin to heal.
“Lana” , you and others like you are not alone.
Thank you for your courage.
Becky Ianni
[email protected]
Adler Intern 1 commented 2015-02-20 13:33:19 -0600
Frank Meuers: Being an abuse survivor, I fully support Lana and applaud her courage and willingness to come forward in the face of much criticism, and the denials of the abuser. It is a pattern all too familiar in abuse cases all over the world. When a person in authority uses that position to initiate unwanted, immoral, or unlawful contact, then that person has violated the personal boundaries of another, and under all the laws of God and government, they must be held accountable. To do otherwise would be placing more people at risk, because these abusers seldom confine their abuse to a single victim.

I ask anyone hearing of this case that has been abused by any person to take this opportunity to step forward, and make it known to the world. Support those that have the courage to come forward. Silence is the ally of the abuser.