AR - Victims applaud jailing of predator
For immediate release: Tuesday, September 17, 2013
For more information: Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected])
Victims applaud jailing of predator
And they urge judge to harshly sentence her
Today, another ex-Catholic school teacher is in court
She allegedly helped keep child sex crimes against girl hidden
A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is praising a Little Rock judge for jailing an admitted child molesting Catholic school teacher who violated her parole by repeatedly contacting her victim.
Judge Barry Sims is holding Kelly O'Rourke behind bars from now until her sentencing hearing on October 28. In January 2013, O'Rourke pled guilty to sexually abusing a Mt. St. Mary's student. O'Rourke taught at the school.
Today, the same judge will hear a case against Kathy Griffin, another Mt. St. Mary teacher who is accused of failing to report known or suspected abuse to authorities.
Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, are again calling on Arkansas' Catholic bishop Anthony Basil Taylor to reach out to anyone else who may have seen, suspected or suffered crimes by the two teachers or any other Catholic employee in the state.
"We are grateful to every person who helped put O'Rourke behind bars" said Barbara Dorris of SNAP "and we're disappointed that officials at the Little Rock Catholic diocese and at MSM have chosen to do little or nothing to help police or prosecutors
"We believe both teachers could - and should - likely be charged with even more crimes," said David Clohessy of SNAP. "But that will only happen if others with information or suspicions about them will find the courage to step forward."
SNAP, is the nation’s oldest and largest support group for victims of clergy sexual abuse with support groups in over 60 cities nationwide.
See letter sent to Bishop Taylor posted here: http://www.snapnetwork.org/letter_to_bishop_taylor
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
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