For Immediate Release:
Thursday, April 17, 2008

For More Information:
Peter Isely 414 429 7259 cell
David Clohessy 314-566-9790 cell 314-645-5915 home
Barbara Blaine 312-399-4747 cell
Barbara Dorris 314-862-7688
Mark Serrano 703-727-4940

Clergy sex abuse victims leaflet mass-going Catholics

"Don't wait for church hierarchy," they say, "Protect kids yourselves"

Self help group urges parishioners to help find & comfort 'lost, wounded sheep'

"Silence leaves victims suffering and leaves kids vulnerable," they beg Catholics to 'speak up'

“We’re doing what bishops would be doing, if they truly cared,” SNAP members maintain”

WHAT

As thousands of Catholics leave subways and walk to the Pope's mass, clergy sex abuse victims will hand out fliers urging them to

-- search their 'memories and consciences,' and report any old abuse suspicions to police,

-- ask loved ones and ex-classmates if they were abused,

-- urge them to call cops and therapists, and

-- demand action, not just words and gestures, from top church officials, especially concrete steps that will reduce child molestation and cover ups in the future).

WHEN

Thursday, April 17, from 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

WHERE

In Washington DC, outside the Navy Yard Metro station, New Jersey Avenue & M Street, SE, is roughly two blocks from the ballpark's northeast corner.

WHO

Four-five clergy sex abuse victims who are leaders of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)

WHY

For almost two decades, clergy sex abuse victims have used this low-tech method - handing out leaflets face-to-face - to find others who’ve been assaulted by clergy, and offer them help.

In recent years, SNAP members have also used leafleting to exhort Catholics to take action to protect kids.

In this instance, they’re especially calling on Catholics who may have seen or suspected abuse, even long ago, to contact the police. (Police and prosecutors have become increasingly driven and creative about pursuing even older sex crimes, thanks in part to better evidence preservation techniques and other investigative tools.)

(NOTE: While SNAP volunteers and staff are trained to walk away from potential confrontations, sometimes a few individual church-goers get irate at the leafeters.)

CONTACT
Peter Isely 414 429 7259 cell
David Clohessy 314-566-9790 cell 314-645-5915 home
Barbara Blaine 312-399-4747 cell
Barbara Dorris 314-862-7688
Mark Serrano 703-727-4940