Kansas Bureau of Investigation Begins Looking into Clergy Sex Abuse
We are grateful that law enforcement is taking this much-needed step. We know that institutions cannot police themselves and that it is critical for independent professionals to get involved in order to understand the scope of the problem in Kansas and to prevent future cases of abuse and cover-up.
SNAP recognizes that it is very tough for abuse victims to trust authority figures, especially those who have been assaulted by clergy and betrayed by bishops. Still, we encourage all survivors to come forward and make a report to the KBI.
No matter when the abuse occurred, and even if it has been previously reported, anyone who has been hurt by a priest, nun, deacon, brother, bishop or any other church staff or official should make a report by calling 1-800-KS-CRIME or by sending an email to [email protected].
But the onus is not only on survivors. We believe it is also urgent to beg witnesses and whistleblowers to step forward as well. Often current and former church staff will provide helpful information if encouraged to do so.
Church officials in Kansas can show their support for survivors and their desire to protect children by sharing information about the KBI’s investigation with their parishioners. They could also use their parish websites and bulletins to encourage victims, witnesses, and whistleblowers to come forward.
CONTACT: Zach Hiner, Executive Director ([email protected], 517-974-9009)
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
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