SD pedophile priest cases lose on technicality; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688home, 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
Several child sexual and physical abuse lawsuits against Catholic institutions in South Dakota have been tossed out at the urging of local Catholic officials.
http://listen.sdpb.org/post/church-sex-abuse-cases-dismissed
It is shameful that Catholic officials are exploiting a legal technicality to evade responsibility for heinous crimes against kids that they could and should have prevented. And it’s equally shameful that legislators are enabling complicit Catholic officials to get by with this.
Over the past decade, most states have reformed archaic, predator-friendly statutes of limitations, enabling more child sex abuse victims to use the time-tested U.S. courts to expose predators and protect kids. South Dakota is the only state that has moved backwards.
But just because misguided lawmakers create these loopholes doesn’t mean that purportedly religious figures must take advantage of them. Catholic officials should fight child sex abuse victims, if they must, on the merits, not on the technicalities. If Catholic officials handled these predatory priests properly, they have no reason to fear trials.
Our hearts ache for these brave, suffering victims who have been betrayed again and denied their day in court because of corrupt church officials and a terrible law.
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell,[email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Joelle Casteix (949-322-7434,[email protected])
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