David Clohessy, Former National Director of SNAP

Since 1991, David Clohessy has served as the national director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, the nation's largest and oldest self help group for clergy molestation victims.

In that role, he has travelled and spoken extensively, helping to set up local support groups in more than 65 cities. In 2002, Clohessy was one of only four survivors to address all of America's Catholic bishops at their historic meeting in Dallas. He has appeared on Sixty Minutes, the Oprah Winfrey Show, the Phil Donahue Show, Good Morning America, and been featured or quoted in dozens of newspapers around the world.

Clohessy's professional career includes working as a community organizer in low income neighborhoods, and as a union organizer representing low wage workers. He has also done political and public relations consulting. Clohessy helped elect St. Louis' first African American mayor, later joining his communications staff. He also helped elect the city's first female prosecutor (Dee Joyce Hayes), and guided school districts and other public entities seeking tax and bond measures at the ballot box.

And in 2007, he received the Lifetime Achievement in Advocacy Award from the Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT).  This award is given to the individual who exemplifies compassion, wisdom, and tirelessness. They serve those who most need an ally during the most painful of times. This award honors and encourages the qualities of an advocate by recognizing outstanding life achievement on behalf of victims of family violence.

Clohessy is a 1978 graduate of Drury University in Springfield. In June 2003, he received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the school.

Brief Biography

Since 1991, David Clohessy has served as SNAP’s national director, setting up local support groups and doing thousands of interviews (including Oprah, Sixty Minutes, the Phil Donahue Show, Good Morning America). He’s been a community organizer in poor neighborhoods, and done political and public relations consulting. He’s married and has two sons.

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/12/magazine/12PRIEST.html?pagewanted=all