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The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

SNAP Press Release
Giving Voice to Victims

 

For Immediate Release:
September 21, 2004

CONTACT:
Landa Mauriello-Vernon, SNAP CT, State Director, cell: 203-687-8072
David Cerulli, SNAP Board Member, NYC Director, cell: 917-757-1791
Mark Serrano, SNAP Board Member, Mid-Atlantic Director, cell: 703-727-4940
David Clohessy, SNAP National Director, cell: 314-566-9790

CLERGY ABUSE SURVIVORS HOST CT CONFERENCE

"REACHING OUT BEYOND OUR BORDERS"

SNAP leaders and supporters from several states meet in Connecticut

Presentation of the "Survivors Lifeline Award" to Jim Alvord

September 25, 2004 - The Survivors Network of Those Abused By Priests (SNAP) is holding an all-day quarterly meeting and conference for sexual abuse survivors, their family members, supporters and advocates to share, listen, learn, support, and plan. Sexual abuse survivors and supporters from CT, NY, NJ, VA, NC and PA will meet to hear from leading experts on the sexual abuse crisis and the effects that the crisis has had on all members of the survivor’s families. Also, they will be discussing how Connecticut changed the limitations imposed upon survivors seeking justice and how other states can look to Connecticut’s law as an example.

The meeting and conference is being held at Norwalk Community College, Pepsi-CO Theater-Room 108 at 188 Richards Street in Norwalk, Connecticut.

"Meetings like this are so important for survivors of clergy sexual abuse," said Landa Mauriello-Vernon, the SNAP CT Director. "By joining together to share our experiences and support one another, we are able to break the silence that many of us have kept locked inside us for too many years," Mauriello-Vernon stated.

Survivors of clergy abuse and supporters from across the region are meeting to hear from Keynote speaker, Reverend Thomas Doyle. Twenty years ago, Rev. Doyle warned the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops about the church's looming sexual abuse nightmare. Since then, he has become a hero to victims, speaking out on their behalf and helping
them in legal cases in recent years. (Copyright 2004-NY Times).

Guest speakers include: Lisa B. Winjum, JD, and Director of Public Policy and Communication for CONNSACS (Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services), Mark V. Serrano, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director and SNAP Board Member, and David Clohessy, SNAP National Director

Presentation of the "Survivors Lifeline Award" will be made to Jim Alvord for his work on behalf of survivors in the state of Connecticut, even before SNAP CT was formed. He is the Regional Director of Voice of the Faithful in the Bridgeport Diocese and has been a strong and vigilant voice in support of survivors.

The afternoon session consists of a panel on the Statute of Limitations in Connecticut and how other states can replicate the work done here. Connecticut has a 30-year SOL, which has been called one of the best in the country. The panel will consist of a lobbyist who worked to pass the bill through the Connecticut legislature, a NY attorney working in Capital building in Albany, a survivor of abuse, and David Clohessy, the SNAP National Director.

The final panel of the day will be made up of survivors and their family members. A victim of sexual abuse will speak, as will the parents, spouse, and an adult child of other survivors. These family members will speak, many for the first time about how the abuse of their loved one has effected their lives. SNAP understands that while the victim may be abused, the pain of sexual abuse has a deep impact on the entire family structure. These brave people will tell how sexual abuse had effected their lives.

News media will be welcome from 9:30-12:45. Instructions on those not wishing to be in the media will be provided. Please check with Landa Mauriello-Vernon for instructions. A separate seating section is provided for those attending who wish to remain anonymous, off-camera, and not quoted. Members of the media must wear Press Passes or PRESS nametags.

CONTACT: Landa Mauriello-Vernon, SNAP CT State Director, cell: 203-687-8072
David Cerulli, SNAP Board Member, NYC Co-Director, cell: 917-757-1791
Mark Serrano, SNAP Board Member, Mid-Atlantic Director, cell: 703-727-4940
David Clohessy, SNAP National Director, cell: 314-566-9790

SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) is an independent, 5,000+ member, volunteer, self-help group of men and women who were victimized by clergy and religious leaders (priests, ministers, bishops, nuns, brothers and other church employees and officials). It is based in Chicago and its website is www.snapnetwork.org


 



Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
www.snapnetwork.org