Michigan Priest Headed to Trial thanks to Attorney General Investigation
A priest from Michigan is heading to trial on 11 charges related to child sexual abuse allegations that were uncovered thanks to the work done by Michigan’s attorney general and her team investigating clergy abuse. We applaud the AG and her team for their work in uncovering this hidden abuser and helping keep communities safer and informed.
Fr. Gary Jacobs from the Diocese of Marquette will appear in front of the Dickinson County Circuit Court on June 1. This development would never have been likely if it were not for the secular investigation launched by AG Dana Nessel and her tireless efforts to bring survivors of clergy abuse forward and investigate their allegations. Because of A.G. Nessel and her team, children in New Mexico – where Jacobs had recently been living – are safer from harm.
We cannot understate the importance of secular investigations into clergy abuse. Too often, claims of abuse reported to church authorities are inadequately investigated – if investigated at all – and too many abusers have been able to escape consequences for abuse and live quietly among communities as counselors, teachers, and coaches.
In this case in particular, two additional accusers came forward after Jacob’s initial arrest, helping to bring more charges and substantiate the allegations brought by other victims. Again, without the public efforts of the attorney general, it is unlikely those victims would have come forward, and almost certain that they would not have had a chance at justice.
We hope the results demonstrated by A.G. Nessel will encourage other survivors and whistleblowers to contact her office and report what they know about abuse. A.G. Nessel’s confidential hotline (1-844-324-3374) is open and available for survivors and witnesses to report what they know about clergy sex crimes.
CONTACT: Zach Hiner, Executive Director (517-974-9009, [email protected])
(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