IL--On eve of Hastert sentencing, victims hold vigil
On eve of Hastert sentencing, victims hold vigil
Victims hold candles, signs and childhood photos
They want judge to put ex-House speaker in prison
SNAP says he should set up a fund to help his victims
Group wants his penalty to “deter those who conceal abuse”
WHAT
Holding candles, signs and childhood photos (including one of Hastert victims, Stephen Reinboldt) at a sidewalk vigil, abuse victims and supporters will urge
--A judge to send Dennis Hastert to prison and order him to set up a fund to compensate his victims
--Lawmakers to reform “archaic, predator-friendly” statutes of limitation which enabled Hastert to evade prosecution for child sex crimes, and
--Anyone who saw, suspect or experienced child sex crimes to speak up, expose the identities of perpetrators, and get help for victims who suffer alone in secrecy and shame.
They will also remember Reinboldt and other victims of child sex crimes who die of suicides, addictions, drug overdoses and other complications trying to self-medicate the immense emotional pain.
WHEN
TODAY, Tuesday, April 26, 4:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
WHERE
On the sidewalk in front of the Federal Courthouse at 219 S. Dearborn (between Jackson and Adams) in downtown Chicago
WHO
Five-seven members of a support group for clergy sex abuse victims called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
WHY
SNAP hopes Judge Thomas Durkin considers Denny Hastert’s most recent wrongdoing – his attempt to frame a man he molested as a child – when he sentences the politician tomorrow. “This is the second worst crime Hastert committed, second only to his repeated child sex crimes,” said Barbara Blaine of SNAP
“Hastert told the FBI he was being extorted. He let agents listen in on a call with one of his victims, hoping that they would falsely conclude that Hastert, not the child sex abuse victim, was the one who was suffering and needed law enforcement’s help. Shame on him,” Blaine stressed. “Had Hastert succeeded in his calculated deceit, a man who had been sexually violated as a child might have ended up in prison, falsely convicted of extorting money from a powerful politician.”
A copy of the indictment is here:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/05/28/us/document-indictment-of-john-dennis-hastert.html
CONTACT
Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected]), David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell,[email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [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
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