SNAP Media Events
GA--Victim of pedophile priest speaks for first time
Last month, man reached $4.5 million settlement
The convicted child molester now lives in Maryland
But he spent years in Georgia working in five towns
Group wants Savannah bishop to “do aggressive outreach”
“With some effort, pedophile might be locked up again,” SNAP says
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, a Georgia man who was repeatedly molested as a boy by the state’s most notorious pedophile priest will speak publicly for the first time about his experiences and his sizeable settlement last month with Savannah Catholic officials. He’ll be joined by his attorney.
And clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will
--blast Catholic officials in four states for their handling of the priest,
--urge them to “do aggressive outreach” so he might be prosecuted again, and
--beg anyone who “saw, suspected or suffered his crimes” to call police or prosecutors immediately.
IL--Victims push for stronger child sex abuse laws
Victims push for stronger child sex abuse laws
They predict: “Hastert will try to get out early”
Group says “Give us more time to expose predators”
It backs both new federal plan and state reform too
SNAP also honors one of Hastert’s victims who spoke up in court
WHAT:
Carrying signs and childhood photos, in the wake of Dennis Hastert’s imprisonment, abuse victims march through downtown Chicago and hold a news conference.
MO--The 50th local St. L area abusive priest is sued
The 50th local St. Louis area abusive priest is sued
Cleric has never been accused or sued before
The victim, Tom Viviano, speaks publicly for 1st time
Two other priests, man says, saw but didn’t stop the crimes
SNAP to others: “Even if perpetrator is dead, it’s important to speak up”
WHAT:
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, a clergy sex abuse victim will speak for the first time publicly and disclose that
--his new child sex abuse and cover up case is being filed,
--it “outs” a never-before-accused local Catholic priest, and
--at least two other priests saw the abuse happened but did not stop it.
RI--Victims prod bishop on accused priests
Victims prod RI bishop on accused priests
He’s keeping names of at least 95 accused clerics hidden
Five other predators abused elsewhere but worked in RI
Support group discloses their identities & pushes for “openness”
It says Catholic officials “endanger kids” with “continued secrecy”
Bishop should also post child molesting clerics' names, victims say
SNAP: “Roughly thirty other bishops across the US have done this”
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will disclose that at least
--95 accused predator priests in Rhode Island remain hidden, and
--five predator priests who abused elsewhere also worked in RI but have attracted little or no public or media attention here.
CT--Predator priest case goes to Supreme Court
Predator priest case goes to Supreme Court
Cleric claims 15 year old basically consented
Victims group deplores “mean-spirited legal hardball”
SNAP also prods archbishop to post pedophiles’ name
About 30 US Catholic officials have taken this “safety step”
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will disclose that
--an unusual clergy sex case has been accepted by the CT Supreme Court,
--it’s against a never-before-accused priest who lived in CT for 65 years, and
--it focuses on whether a 15 year old victim “consented” because he didn’t fight back when he was being assaulted.
KS--New abuse & cover up lawsuit is filed
New abuse & cover up lawsuit is filed
It’s against big Lenexa non-denominational church
Officials there knew man had molested others before
Still, they let him volunteer at Vacation Bible School
And he assaulted two young kids and is now in prison
He told one girl he’d go after her youngster sister if she didn’t comply
SNAP: Independent ‘mega-churches’ are “next frontier” in abuse cases
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will
-- disclose a new civil abuse and cover up lawsuit against a large KC area mega-church, and
-- urge parents and congregation members to require these churches to enact policies to protect children.
The group predicts that more and more sex scandals are emerging and will continue to emerge in large, independent ‘mega-churches’ because their pastors are often very powerful and charismatic and there’s little or no lay oversight or church hierarchy that might hold predatory preachers accountable.
IL--Archdiocese, Claretian Order “not truthful” about admitted predator
Media:
Press Event:
Victim of former Back of the Yards priest speaks out
CA--New child sex abuse suit filed vs. school
New Child Sex Abuse Lawsuit Filed Against School
Predatory Principal Pled Guilty & Was Just Sentenced
But Judge Wouldn’t Let Mom Read Statement in Court
Victim and Parent Will Speak Publicly for First Time
What: At a press conference, the parent of a child who is a sexual abuse victim of Robert Adams, former principal and owner of Creative Frontiers elementary school in Citrus Heights, California will
--announce that her daughter is filing a new civil abuse and cover up lawsuit against school officials,
--voice her displeasure over the plea agreement the Sacramento County District Attorney made weeks ago with the admitted predatory teacher who assaulted her daughter, and
-- read a statement that she was not allowed to read by the judge in court at the sentencing.
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