IL--New interview: Hastert’s victim had troubled parents
Statement by SNAP leader Kate Bochte (630-768-1860, keight@sbcglobal.net), the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
One of Dennis Hastert’s victims came from a troubled family, a relative says in a new interview. And in court today, like the deceptive Wizard of Oz, Hastert’s lawyers say “Pay no attention to Hastert's child sex crimes” but only to recent leaks of information. We are saddened that a one time “public servant” is posturing as a victim when he is, in fact, a perpetrator.
Jolene Burdge is the sister of Steve Reinboldt, who she says was molested by Hastert. Their dad was an alcoholic and their mom was mentally ill, Burdge says.
http://www.ktvq.com/story/29544289/dennis-hastert-accuser-his-silence-says-everything
If true (and we have no reason to doubt Burdge), this makes Hastert’s crimes even more reprehensible. It also helps explain why Reinboldt told no one about Hastert’s crimes for years.
Very few kids promptly report their abuse. Kids from troubled families are even less able to do so.
We again call on anyone who saw, suspected or suffered Hastert’s crimes to come forward, get help, call prosecutors and help expose and prevent more such heinous crimes.
And we call on reporters to stop trying to figure out who else has been hurt by him.
http://www.snapnetwork.org/il_group_urges_reporters_to_back_off_with_hastert_victims
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 20,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, S[email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine(312-399-4747, [email protected])
Dennis Hastert accuser: ‘His silence says everything’ - By Ed Kemmick - Last Best News, Updated: Jul 14, 2015 10:09 AM CDT
BILLINGS - Jolene Burdge does not look at Dennis Hastert and see a man who used to hold one of the most powerful positions in the United States.
“This whole thing of him being the speaker of the House and the third in line to the presidency—I know it’s there, but it’s just not as prominent in my mind as being a teacher from a small town,” she said, according to a report in Last Best News. “He’s just a teacher that all of us kids had that hurt my brother.”
Burdge told the world last month that Hastert . . .
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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