Victoria clergy abuse victims meet this week
For immediate release: Monday, Sept. 2, 2013
A self help group for men and women who were abused by clergy will hold a confidential support meeting in Victoria this week.
The organization is SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests". The meeting will be Tuesday, September 3.
“Victims, family members, and supporters are welcome and encouraged to attend,” said Leona Huggins of B.C., SNAP’s B.C. leader. “The trial of Fr. Phil Jacobs, and the recent installation of the new Pope has been a trigger for many clergy abuse victims. There has been an unprecedented number of calls from Survivors to SNAP who are looking for support. Getting together in a private setting can help to start the healing of anyone who has been abused as a child or exploited as an adult.”
Sometimes, SNAP is perceived as an “activist” group, Leona said. “But the bulk of what we do is to just listen and offer consolation – quietly and privately - to people who are in pain.”
For location and time, please contact Leona Huggins [email protected] 604-936-1290 or, Barbara Dorris, SNAP Outreach Director, 314-862-7688,[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