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).
Ireland- SNAP applauds Irish court for siding with victim
For immediate release: Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688, [email protected])
A high court in Ireland has ordered that a Christian Brothers congregation pay the highest settlement to a child sexual abuse victim in Irish history.
SD- Victims applaud legislative panel
For immediate release: Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected])
Yesterday, a South Dakota legislative panel rejected changes in the state's child safety laws.
MN- Catholic officials under-report abuse; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014
Statement by Frank Meuers of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (952-334-5180, [email protected])
A lengthy new Minnesota Public Radio investigation reveals that St. Paul/Minneapolis Catholic officials have long under-reported the number of predator priests in the Twin Cities area.
CA- Victims settle with LA Archdiocese, victims respond
Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, SNAP Volunteer Western Regional Director, (949-322-7434, [email protected])
We are proud of these brave victims who came forward to seek justice for their abuse and accountability for the fraudulent cover-up of abuse by Archdiocesan officials like Cardinal Roger Mahony and Bishop Thomas Curry. These tenacious men and women are the reason that the public is learning just how horrible the scope and scale of the abuse and cover-up have been in Los Angeles.
Ireland- Magdalene laundries survivors asked to sign waivers, SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688, [email protected])
The Irish government has sent a letter to survivors asking them to sign a waiver to receive their lump sum reparations.
IL- Three more predator priest lawsuits; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, [email protected])
Three more child sex abuse and cover up lawsuits have been filed against the Chicago archdiocese because of the heinous crimes of Fr. Daniel McCormack.
NY- Sex abuse victims blast cardinal
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014
For more information: David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP Director (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected])
Sex abuse victims blast NY Cardinal
His latest blog is “preposterous” they say
Dolan claims he may soon get “negative publicity”
But the files he fears have been sealed by a judge
And in civil cases, he claims law enforcement will see records
SNAP “He's either dreadfully ill-informed or he's being deceptive”
A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is blasting New York’s Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan, calling him "deceptive and self-absorbed” and accusing him of “attacking real victims and their advocates while posturing as a victim himself.”
VA- Campus sex crimes at conservative college exposed
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014
Statement by Becky Ianni of Virginia, SNAP Leader, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (703-801-6044, [email protected])
A lengthy and very disturbing investigation has been done into campus sex crimes at Patrick Henry College.
CA- More LA predator priest cases settled; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
More clergy sex abuse and cover up lawsuits against the scandal-ridden Los Angeles Catholic diocese will be disclosed tomorrow.
TN- Baptist youth minister charged with murdering fiancée, SNAP responds
For immediate release: Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A Springfield, TN youth minister has been charged with the murder of his 21 year old fiancée. This is an extremely troubling case.
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