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).
OH, KY - Catholic coach arrested; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Monday, August 26, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
A Catholic coach has been arrested on child sex charges. We hope this news prompts others who have seen, suspected or suffered by Catholic employees’ child sex crimes to step forward.
When men like Thomas Hansman are charged, often others stay silent. “It’s all being taken care of now,” they assume. But that’s wrong.
25 Penn State/Sandusky civil sex suits settle; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Monday, August 26, 2013
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Twenty five men have settled their child sex abuse and cover up lawsuits against Penn State.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/penn-state-settles-25-lawsuits-brought-jerry-sandusky/story?id=20069117
We have two messages to these brave men who were hurt by Jerry Sandusky: “Thank you” and “Be forewarned.”
Thank you for stepping forward, protecting others, exposing wrongdoing, and inspiring others. It’s almost always easy to sit back and do nothing. It’s almost always tempting to stay quiet and let others stick their necks out.
MO - Victims oppose changing MO sex offender registry
For immediate release: August 26, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]
Missouri lawmakers want to suddenly remove hundreds of names of convicted criminals from the state sex offender registry. We oppose this move.
When pondering changes to the sex offender registry, there should be only one criterion: will the proposed change protect more children? And in this case, it’s just too early to tell. So we in SNAP favor keeping the registry unchanged until independent scientific research clearly shows a need to change it.
OH - Youngstown clergy abuse victims meet this week
For immediate release: Monday, Aug. 26, 2013
A self help group for men and women who were abused by clergy will hold a confidential support meeting in Youngstown this week.
The organization is SNAP “Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests”. The meeting will be Wednesday, Aug 28.
MI - Clergy not required to report abuse; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Friday, August 23, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
We’re disappointed that a Michigan judge is letting a minister off the hook for refusing to report suspected child sex abuse. Decades of excessive deference to religious figures in child sex cases has led to tens of thousands of devastated lives. Our society – especially our judges and lawmakers – must make it abundantly clear that every single adult has a duty to call police when he or she fears a child is being hurt.
UK - Victims group blasts Scotland's Catholic bishops
For immediate release: Friday August 23, 2013
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Shame on the bishops of Scotland, who reportedly let one corrupt colleague block a so-called church "investigation" into child sex crimes and cover ups.
If O'Brien opposed this move, Scotland's bishops should have proceeded without him. Or they should have publicly exposed O'Brien as an obstructionist.
IL - Child sex abuse reform bill becomes law
For immediate release: Friday, Aug. 23
Statement by Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, [email protected])
In a huge victory for innocent kids and a huge defeat for child molesters, Illinois’ governor has signed a bill permanently lifting the civil statute of limitations on child sex crimes (SB 1399, sponsored by Sen. Link and others).
AZ - Catholic cleric accused of abuse
For immediate release: Wednesday, Aug. 21
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
Phoenix Catholic officials admit having gotten a child sex abuse report on 8/13. They admit suspending the accused cleric on 8/19. And they apparently posted a small notice on their website, rather than warning Phoenix parents and parishioners by holding a news conference or sending out a news release.
CA - Legislative panel passes child safety bill; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A California legislative panel today passed a bill that will enable more child sex abuse victims to warn parents about molesters through the civil justice system.
NH - Supreme Court rules against predator; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
We are grateful to New Hampshire’s highest court for recognizing that kids’ actual safety trumps adults’ professed beliefs. We hope this ruling will deter other ministers from trying to exploit legal loopholes and evade responsibility for child sex crimes and cover ups.
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