Blog

Therapeutic fencing workshops for survivors of sexual abuse: The French experience

The French support group  "Stop aux Violences Sexuelles" has since 2013 put in place fencing workshops for survivors of sexual abuse based on the principle of "therapeutic transference".   This document describes the program with a view to its adoption/adaptation in other countries. 


SNAP New Zealand Playing a Key Role in the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-Based Institutions

The New Zealand Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-Based Institutions is conducting its Faith-Based Redress Hearing - Phase Two, from March 15 to 29, 2021. Witnesses for Faith-based institutions will give evidence before the Commission on their processes for resolving historic and current abuse claims.


The Long and Winding Road

This blog was written by Adults Sexually Abused by Priests (ASAP)

Last year, I summoned up the strength to set up an appointment with the Victim’s Advocate at the Diocese. It was my first time back in the building since I had been fired three plus years before. I still carried memories of being escorted out of the building inside the pit of my stomach. I was afraid of running into someone I knew while walking into the main entrance (which is now securely locked with an inside glass door that requires admission from the front desk before being granted access). I was afraid that I might see someone in the elevator. I was afraid of the judgmental glares I might receive or of someone spotting me and calling the police. I was afraid of what the people I used to know who used to love me might have been told about me.


Are We Asking The Right Questions?

It's not your fault if you are the victim of child sexual abuse by an adult. Really. It's not your fault for being a victim or a child. That is absurd!
And because of the severity of child sexual abuse and the natural lack of maturity of a child, isn't it absurd to think children can come forward right away after the physical and emotional trauma of sexual abuse? How could they? 

Update on the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in France

The independent commission on sexual abuse set up by the French Catholic Church estimates that at least  3,000 people have  been victimized by abusive priests since the 1950s.   The real number could be closer to 10,000 according to other sources.


Rete l'Abuso and Church Accountability in Italy

Rete l'Abuso ("Abuse Network"), the Italian equivalent of SNAP, together with Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA) organized a Webinar on Feb 20  to report on the struggle to bring the Catholic Church to account in Italy. 


Spirit in the Sky

This blog was written by Adults Sexually Abused by Priests (ASAP)

I am going to start off this week with an email that I sent to follow up with the Diocese. I had a face-to-face meeting with Mr. J., who is the go-between/screener for the bishop, and later on had a Zoom meeting with Mr. J., the bishop, and another SNAP member. Having had six months pass since that meeting, and having not heard a word about anything at all, I decided to follow up. Here is the email:


Guest Blog #1

This blog was written by Adults Sexually Abused by Priests (ASAP)

The following was sent to me by a survivor who wanted to tell their story. I must warn you that it is upsetting and may trigger some unpleasant emotions.


Ribera Law Firm Becomes Gold Level Sponsor for SNAP’s Mini-Conferences

We are delighted to announce that Ribera Law Firm of San Francisco, California, has become a Gold Level Sponsor for each of SNAP’s 2021 virtual mini-conferences. Each one of these four one-day conferences is free to attendees and will provide new resources for support of and education to our audience of advocates, sexual abuse survivors, and their families.


We Are Family

This blog was written by Adults Sexually Abused by Priests (ASAP)

Have you ever had someone betray you? Of course, you have, or you most likely would not be reading this. But there are certain relationships that we go back to, even when we have been hurt or betrayed. People who we have bonded with and who we love. That would be family.


SNAP Network is a GuideStar Gold Participant