Media Statements
We are SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. We are the largest, oldest and most active support group for women and men wounded by religious authority figures (priests, ministers, bishops, deacons, nuns and others).
GA--Former Savannah priest arrested
For immediate release, August 28, 2017
Statement by Barb Dorris, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, 314-503-0003 [email protected]
A former Savannah priest, Wayland Yoder Brown, a convicted and registered sex offender in Maryland, was arrested yesterday on nine counts of sexual misconduct with a minor. The alleged crimes took place in Jasper County, South Carolina. Brown was arrested in Maryland and will be extradited to South Carolina.
It’s never easy for survivors of child sex crimes to come forward and report what happened. But because South Carolina has victim-friendly legislation, law enforcement does not have its hands tied by statutes of limitations and artificial deadlines for victims to come forward. We encourage anyone with information about Brown to call the police.
SC-- Former priest arrested; Victims Respond
For immediate release: Monday, August 28, 2017
Statement by Barbara Dorris, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503-0003 [email protected]
A former Catholic priest was arrested and is facing nine indictments child sex abuse charges in Jasper County, SC. We are so grateful for the two brave survivors who worked with prosecutors to make this happen.
http://www.scsolicitor14.org/news-detail.php?newID=143&newsCategory=press
PA – Bishop Bartchak appoints new review board, SNAP responds
For immediate release, Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Statement by Melanie Sakoda of Moraga, California, Volunteer Member of the Board of Directors of SNAP, the Survivors Network (925-708-6175, [email protected])
Bishop Mark Bartchak, head of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, recently announced the new seven members of his Diocesan Review Board. The Pennsylvania State Attorney General once described the previous Board as a tool for concealing sex abuse allegations.
Heroes from The Keepers and Spotlight to attend world's largest convention for abuse survivors in Alexandria
Hundreds of survivors come together for information, healing, empowerment, and exposing abuse
Experts, journalists, international figures converge for annual landmark event
- Meet and learn from experts on abuse and cover-up such as those featured in Netflix’s The Keepers and portrayed in Oscar-winning Spotlight,
- Learn best practices in helping other survivors,
- Share information to take home for abuse prevention outreach in their home communities,
- Work towards Statute of Limitation reform and creating victim-friendly laws nationwide, and
- Build community, camaraderie and healing in a convention of survivors.
Guam--Vatican put priest accused of sexual harassment on Apuron Tribunal, Victims group responds
Statement by Joelle Casteix, SNAP Western Regional Leader, (949) 322-7434, [email protected]
We are outraged to learn a Sioux Falls television station investigation discovered that one of the five priests involved in the Canonical Trial of Guam Archbishop Anthony Apuron had been accused of sexual harassment in 2014 by a parish employee.
http://www.keloland.com/news/article/investigates/what-happened-next-to-fr-wachs
Fr. Justin Wachs, the Notary in Archbishop Anthony Apuron's Canonical Trial, was presented to these brave survivors and the public as a trustworthy person who, survivors assumed, had never been accused of sexual misconduct. The brave men told Wachs their deeply personal stories of sexual abuse and betrayal. They trusted the Vatican and its representatives so much, that they agreed to speak without their attorneys in the room.
WA—Survivors group deliver letter to Seattle City Council
Mayor accused of child sexual abuse by four men
Recently uncovered documents reveal Oregon's Child Protective Services found Mayor Ed Murray sexually abused his foster son
Four Mayoral candidates, one Council Member and the Seattle LGBTQ Commission have since called for the Mayor to resign
Victims believe it is important that the City Council hear their voices on this issue as well
WHAT:
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, child sex abuse victims and their supporters will:
-explain their position on the proposed resignation of Seattle’s Mayor, and
- hand out copies of the letter they will be delivering to the City Council
They will then proceed up to the council chamber on the 2nd floor of City Hall to:
- hand deliver a copy of the letter to the full Council, and
- if permitted, briefly address the group on this issue.
Notorious predator priest released from prison
For immediate release, Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Statement by Barbara Dorris, 314-503-0003, [email protected]
A notorious predator, Fr. Paul Shanley, will be released from prison later this week after serving twelve years behind bars for raping a child.
PA--Victims group to Greensburg Bishop: Turn over secret files on arrested priest
The nation’s largest support group for survivors of sexual abuse in institutional settings today is demanding that the bishop of Greensburg, PA turn over all secret files pertaining to a priest arrested yesterday for sexual abuse.
http://www.pennlive.com/news/2017/07/priest_sex_abuse_arrest_shapir.html
That priest, John T. Sweeney, was criminally charged for sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy in the 1990s.
PA--Greensburg priest charges
For immediate release: July 24th
Statement by: Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Leader, 636-433-2511, [email protected]
We applaud the PA Attorney General for taking the allegations against Fr John Sweeny for child sex abuse seriously and opening an investigation. The victim is to be commended for having the courage to come forward and the wisdom to report the crimes to civil authorities and not church officials.
IL--Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert Released from Prison, Victims Respond
Statement by Joelle Casteix, SNAP Western Regional Leader, (949) 322-7434, [email protected]
We were shocked to learn that Dennis Hastert has been transferred from prison and quietly returned to Chicago.
Unfortunately, Hastert will never stand trial for the crime of sexual abuse. Illinois’ outdated and predator-friendly criminal statutes of limitations for child sex crimes ensure men and women who sexually abuse children get a "free pass" as long as they can use fear and shame to keep their victims silent.
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