SURVIVORS NETWORK OF THOSE ABUSED BY PRIESTS

We want to make sure that not another child or vulnerable adult is harmed by sexual abuse.

We want a society aware of the scourage of sexual abuse and that there is a social responsibility to prevent further abuse of all victims, adult and child.

We want politicians to do their jobs. They must enact strong laws that protect the community.

We want to hold predators accountable, including the institutions that cover up for them.

We want to bring all survivors forward, out of the darkness of shame, into the light of dignity and self-respect.

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is a peer network of survivors of sexual abuse in religious and faith communities. Our network also includes family members and supporters. Our peer network of over 30,000 includes and embraces survivors from all faith communities in over sixty countries.

Our network includes adult survivors of child sexual abuse, those abused as adults, families of those abused, and others abused in institutional settings.

We support survivors through individual engagement through individual conversations, support groups, email, and social media. Our 160 volunteer local SNAP leaders provide the day to day, and one on one, support for those in need.

SNAP hosts many dozens of support groups monthly. These are local, statewide, and regional. Some are national in scope for a particular cohort, abused by nuns, abused as an adult, families of those abused, ritual abuse, Lutheran, men only, women only, Orthodox, Japan, and Canada.

Supporting survivors and helping them on a path of healing is fundamental to the work of SNAP. Over the last thirty-plus years of support and advocacy, we have hosted peer support groups as a proven method of help for those harmed by sexual violence.

Our mission:
Support survivors
Expose predators and those institutions that shield them.
Raise community awareness of sexual abuse
Advocate for stronger laws to protect children and the vulnerable
Prevent sexual violence

SNAP is blest with many graces.

SNAP has a consistent mission and focus of work for thirty years. This history establishes trust, credibility, and accountability.

Our network of 30,000 survivors has taken on the largest institution in the world, challenged politicians and political power. We have stood on the steps of the Vatican and the steps of the local church. We mobilize thousands within the network to reform the statute of limitation laws and call for state investigations. It issued thousands of press statements, hosted many, many hundreds of press conferences. The network leaders are interviewed in thousands of media stories all around the world. We write letters to the media; we have stood up in city council meetings and before state legislatures.

We have a solid cadre of volunteer support leaders who receive twice a year trainings and educationals. There is a practice of mutual support where leaders are connected through formal and informal means. When leaders face challenges in dealing with a wounded community they know they have a network of leaders and survivors as support. We have a 'leaders only' resource through Slack. We have established orientations and resources for leaders that have been vetted by the shared experiences of hundreds of leaders over the last thirty years.

As new volunteers step forward, there is, at every point, an experienced core of cadre to give support and help. We continue to see a steady growth of this leader core; those new are incorporated into the fabric of SNAP. Some of the veteran leaders have near twenty years of experience in helping survivors.

While the volunteer leaders serve as the core, we have an exceptional Board of Directors. These ten members reach across the USA and Canada. They come from backgrounds as survivors and advocates. There is a diversity of faith backgrounds and beliefs. Several have strong backgrounds in business and workplace leadership. Some are leaders in sister organizations working on the issue of sexual violence. Their collective strength of character enables creative thought, independent decision making, and thoughtful review.

The executive director directs the work of SNAP and ensures that the work focuses on the mission. He oversees the administrative functions of SNAP, including bookkeeping, fundraising, etc. He engages with allies and sister organizations in mutual work that advances the mission of all. Our current director has decade long experience with advocacy on sexual abuse and child abuse.

Social Media and Website
In the modern era, social media plays a very important role in both survivor support and advocacy. We have a sophisticated website with a library of information and resources. Here, survivors can contact administrative staff, executive director, as well as the members of the Board of Directors. We also have a very active presence with Facebook and Twitter. The website gives an easy link to all SNAP leaders and event calendar.

SNAP Overview

SNAP!
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, SNAP continues its advocacy and activism on behalf of survivors. SNAP formed thirty years ago to support survivors of clergy sexual abuse and protect children and the vulnerable. It has grown from a small collection of scattered support groups to an international network of over 30,000 survivors and supporters in over sixty countries.

The advocacy of SNAP the preceded expose of the Boston Globe Spotlight series in 2002, before Sandusky, Bill Cosby, the Boy Scouts, Hollywood producers, and gymnasts. The long history of advocacy of SNAP enriched the environment from which the #MeToo movement emerged.

History of SNAP
Barbara Blaine founded SNAP in1988. First national meeting 1991. First national press conference 1993. Opened national office in Chicago 2003.

RICO Investigation Request
In 2003, SNAP and the Center for Constitutional Rights filed a request to the DOJ and FBI to initiate a RICO investigation of the widespread sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. A similar request was sent in 2014, and in 2018. Presently, the FBI is doing a national investigation.

International Interventions
In 2011, SNAP and CCR filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court against the Vatican and four high-ranking cardinals.
In 2013 SNAP and CCR presented testimony to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
In 2014 SNAP and CCR presented evidence to the UN Committee on Torture

Impact of Pennsylvania Grand Jury
In August 2018, the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report disclosed thousands of victims. SNAP called for an investigation in every state. It mobilized public outrage; SNAP pushed state Attorneys General to investigate. Twenty-five states are investigating.

Statute of Limitation Reform
Survivors bury their memories for decades; justice is denied due to limited statute of limitation (SOL) laws. SNAP mobilized its network to support SOL reform; it works with CHILDUSA and other allied organizations. Thirty states have made SOL reforms in the last couple of years.

Media Advocacy
SNAP has been a leading force in raising public awareness of sexual abuse, encouraging vigorous prosecution. SNAP is the voice of survivors; it gives interviews locally, nationally, and internationally. Over two thousand media mentions in one month in August 2018.

Survivors Movement
SNAP recognized the importance of cooperating, communicating, and collaborating with sister organizations. In November 2018 it held the first AllSurvivorsDay.org. This event celebrated survivors coming forward, speaking up. Held in thirty-one events in cities in several countries. This heralded the birth of the emerging Survivors Movement.

A Shining Light
SNAP is the largest survivor organization in the world; it sparked peer survivor movements around the world, Chile, Argentina, Italy, New Zealand, and Poland.

At every moment, we provide hope to the millions of victims who suffer in silence.