IL--Daniel McCormack will remain in custody for now, SNAP responds
For immediate release Friday, September 8, 2017
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Managing Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network (314-503-0003, [email protected])
Today former Catholic priest Daniel McCormack was found by a Cook County judge to be a sexually violent person. That means that, for the present, the former priest will remain at the Illinois Department of Human Services facility for sex offenders where he has been held since he completed his prison sentence. In November the judge will decide whether Mr. McCormack will remain at the facility indefinitely or will be released to the community under strict conditions.
As survivors of child sexual abuse, we are grateful to the court for recognizing the danger that Mr. McCormack could pose were he to be released back into society. While we recognize that the former priest has served his time, we believe that the threat he poses to innocent children warrants this extraordinary safeguard.
Just recently we were extremely saddened to learn that another former priest, previously convicted and required to register as a sex offender, was arrested on new charges of sexually abusing a child.
Although an arrest is not a conviction, we know that false allegations of child sexual abuse are extremely rare.
SNAP is thankful that the judge in this case was far-sighted enough to recognize that the safety of children trumps Mr. McCormack’s opportunity for a second chance.
Contacts - Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003, [email protected]), Melanie Jula Sakoda (925-708-6175, [email protected]), Joelle Casteix (949-322-7434, [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