Welcome to SNAPAustralia.org
( Created by and for survivors of sexual abuse by clergy )
[Click on the BLUE headings/titles below to open the page with the information]
Aussie Victims' Stories
(listen and read)
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Have you watched the Marita Murphy story? ''You be the Judge''
--------------"Undeniable:The advocates and agitators who fought for justice”
Australia, ABC News
Paul Kennedy, December 12, 2017
Click HERE for the 1st Half
Click HERE for the 2nd Half
Australia’s Cardinal Pell has been Acquitted, SNAP responds
For immediate release, April 7, 2020
______________________________
George Pell High Court decision LIVE:
Cardinal freed from Barwon Prison
Sydney Morning Herald, April 7, 2020
Sins of the Cardinal
& his Chuch
CNN International Documentary
Presented by Anna Coren
March 21, 2019
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
For links
to all the Commision's documents and its final report issued on
December 15, 2017,
click on the title above
For
Articles related to this and other independent investigations of child
sex abuse in Australia:
CLICK HERE
Pell and Royal CommissionGeorge
"Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in Care: Sir Anand Satyanand has today announced he will step down as Chair", New Zealand, Royal Commission, August 6, 2019.
Empirical Guidance On The Effects
Of
Child Sexual Abuse On Memory And Complainants’ Evidence.
“Sex crimes and the Catholic Church: Will a Parliamentary
Inquiry and a Royal Commission deliver justice to victims, survivors and their
families?”
Judy Courtin presentation to 2013 Castan Centre Annual Conference
"Betrayal of Trust"
Victoria Parliament's
"Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Organisations"
***************
Inquiry Report Summary
**************
To read the Committee's report click on
Exc Summary Vol. 1 Vol. 2
NSW, Special Commission of Inquiry into matters relating to the Police investigation of certain child sexual abuse allegations in the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
*************Transcripts
SNAP Legal Action
For all things related to theSNAP and Center for Constitutional Rights lawsuit filed against
the Pope and four Vatican officers
for violations of human rights
[ CLICK HERE ]
Video: Moves to Put the Pope in Court
Fighting for the Future
(UN filing on February 28, 2013)
If you or anyone you know has suffered abuse, call Lifeline:
13 11 14
Sexual Assault Crisis Line:
1 800 806 292
Where To Report Your Abuse
Public Awareness
Presentations
and Radio Interviews
Information and Support
Other Australian organisations concerned with child abuse prevention.
PUBLICLY ACCUSED CLERGY
Partial List
PM Julia Gillard's full statement on the child sex abuse royal commission (with Q n A)
[click HERE for Transcript]
OPINION: Sex abuse survivors want to be believed
By Bob OToole and Lindsay GardinerApril 2, 2013
Call Of Duty
ABC Australian StoryApril 29, 2013
The story about Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox; a man who was only doing his job.
Cops and Catholicism: the cultural connection between police and the church
Download audio
ABC Radio - Andrew West"George Pell and Child Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church"
Adelaide
Festival of Ideas
Forum [audio report], October 24, 2013
(9Jumpin's 60 Minutes videos)
The Paedophile Hunter ... May 24, 2015
Cardinal Pell ... May 31, 2015 ExtraMinutes | Peter Saunders
SPECIAL INVESTIGATION (pts 1, 2, & 3): Spies, Lords & Predators ... July 19, 2015John Wojnowski
Haunted by his sexual abuse as a child, he has stood outside the Washington, DC Vatican embassy nearly every day since April 1998. His lonely vigil has made him a hero to victims of sexual abuse worldwide.“Pope Protester: 17-Year Fight Against Child Sex Abuse [video]”, Washington, DC, CNS Maryland, September 22, 2015.
Tell John of your appreciation, just click on John's name above.
AUSTRALIA
HEADLINES and NEWS ARCHIVES
[Click on the BLUE heading above forhealines and news archives]
[Click
on the BLUE story titles below to open the recent stories]
"Catholic Church to rely on 'Ellis defence' in civil
damages claim involving Cardinal George Pell." Australia, Melbourne, ABC
News, Danny Morgan, August 4, 2022.
“4 takeaways from AP’s Mormon church sex abuse investigation”, Salt Lake City (UT), Associated Press, Michael Rezendes, August 4, 2022.
“Seven years of sex abuse: How Mormon officials let
it happen”, Salt Lake City (UT), Associated Press, Michael Rezendes, August 4,
2022.
“Judge rules Catholic Church vicariously liable for Ballarat
paedophile priest Bryan Coffey’s abuse 50 years ago”, Australia VIC, ABC News, Elizabeth
Byrne, December 27, 2021.
“SNAP mourns the loss of clergy sex abuse survivor and pioneer Phil Saviano”, SNAP Media Statement, November 28, 2021.
“Phil Saviano, key clergy sex abuse whistleblower, dies
at 69”, USA PBS News Hour, November 28, 2021.
“Phil Saviano, clergy abuse victim who refused to stay
silent, dies at 69”, Boston MA USA, Boston Globe, Bryan Marquard, November 28,
2021.
“Father Bob Maguire: The priest who fought the Catholic Church”, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia] The Big Smoke, Ingeborg van Teeseling, September 13, 2021.
“Tasmanian Catholic call for priests with 'conscientious
objection' to COVID vaccines to be allowed into aged care”, Tasmania,
Australia, ABC News, Loretta Lohberger, September 8, 2021.
“Survivors abused by ‘sadistic’ priest win compensation battle, but money ‘won’t change’ impact”, Port Fairy, Australia, ABC News [Sydney, Australia], Matt Neal, August 26, 2021.
“Unmarked graves in Canada raise questions about
Australia’s stolen children”, Australia, La Croix International [France], Celeste
Liddle, August 18, 2021.
“Students who reported abuse by paedophile priest Anthony
Caruana labelled liars, court hears”, Burradoo (Australia), ABC News, Tim
Fernandez, August 18, 2021.
“Catholic organisations admit liability for now-deceased paedophile priest Bryan Coffey”, Sydney, Australia, ABC News, Matt Neal, August 17, 2021.
“Ex-priest charged with indecent act on boy”, Sydney,
Australia, 7News, Australian Associated Press, August 16, 2021.
“Abuse survivors of now-deceased priest line up to seek
compensation”, Australia, VIC, ABC News, Matt Neal, July 27, 2021.
“Legal payout brings hope for other victims of paedophile priest”, Melbourne, VIC, The Age, Adam Cooper, July 26, 2021.
“Anglican Church knew of abuse by carer, but promoted him
anyway”, Wellington, New Zealand, Stuff, Deborah Morris, July 25, 2021.
“‘Calculated risk’ costs media including Nine and News
Corp $1.1m in fines”, VIC, Australia, Mumbrella, Olivia Kruimel, June 4, 2021.
“Australian media fined $840,000 for gag order breach in Pell sex assault case”, Australia, Reuters, Sonali Paul, June 4, 2021.
“'It was undignified': Cardinal George Pell opens up about his toughest experience in jail before he was acquitted of child sex offences”, Rome, Daily Mail Ausralia, Charlie Coe, May 19, 2021.
“Priest charged with indecent assault wanted to change ‘feeling towards young boys’, court told”, Burradoo (Australia), Sydney Morning Herald, Laura Chung, May 24, 2021.
“Law firm issues callout to past students of Kingston
High School over historical child sex abuse allegations”, TAS (Australia), ABC
News, Lucy MacDonald, May 21, 2021.
“'It was undignified': Cardinal George Pell opens up
about his toughest experience in jail before he was acquitted of child sex offences”,
Rome, Daily Mail Ausralia, Charlie Coe, May 19, 2021.
“Former Victorian priest could be extradited to US on
fresh sexual assault charges”, Ballarat, Australia, ABC News, Jackson Peck, May
5, 2021.
“Are Catholic Clergy more Likely to Be Paedophiles than
the General Public? REDUX.” UK, Patheos, Jonathan MS Pearce, March 24, 2021.
“Queensland paedophile priest acquitted of historical
child sex offences”, Australia QLD, Brisbane, Brisbane Times, Toby Crockford, March
19, 2021.
“Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing a schoolboy almost 50 years ago told police the teenager had the ‘wrong bloke’, court hears”, Australia, Australian Associated Press, Daily Mail, March 17, 2021.
“Catholic priest denies historical abuse”, Australia, Australian Associated Press, Robyn Muth, March 16, 2021.
“Catholic Church structure to blame for abuse in care, priest tells inquiry”, Wellington, New Zealand, Radio New Zealand, Andrew McRae, March 24, 2021.
“Catholic Church on abuse: 'We are ashamed and saddened'”, New Zealand, Radio New Zealand, Andrew McRae, March 23, 2021.
“Anglican Bishop apologises to abuse victims: ‘The
Diocese must do better’”, New Zealand, Christchurch, Stuff, Mariné Lourens, March
18, 2021.
“Redress,
tangible compensation critical for those abused in state, faith-based care”,
New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand, Radio New Zealand, David Cohen, March 15,
2021.
“Opinion: Coalition’s concern for rule of law a
‘convenient fig leaf’”, Australia, Sydney NSW, Sydney Morning Herald, Josh
Bornstein, March 9, 2021.
"'I was walking into an ambush': Former Wallaby Tony
Daly speaks out about childhood sexual abuse", Australia, Sydney
NSW, ABC News, David Mark, March 7, 2021.
“Indigenous 'healer' rape trial nears end as West
Australian jury hears closing arguments”, Australia, WA, ABC Great Southern,
Toby Hussey, March 2, 2021.
“Sex abuse survivors lose archive as Facebook removes
news from 'life saving' site”, Australia, Perth WA, ABC News, Rhiannon Shine,
February 18, 2021.
“Body of Evidence – Older Survivors and the Law”,
Australia, Australia Independent Media, Keith Davis, January 29, 2021.
"Catholic
Church ordered to pay millions to WA abuse survivor", Australia,
WA, 9News, Brittany Hoskins, January 21, 2021.
"Sex
abuse victim speaks out after Perth Catholic church consents to pay $2.45m
compensation", Australia, Perth WA, ABC News, Keane Bourke and Amelia
Searson, January 21, 2021.
"Catholic
Church makes record payout in child sex abuse case", Australia, Brisbane
QLD, Brisbane Times, Heather McNeill, January 21, 2021.
"[Opinion]
Abuse inquiry: we all know the outcome", New Zealand, Gisborne Herald,
Matthew Epsom, January 10, 2021.
Join SNAP
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
2013 SNAP 25th Anniversary
View Slide Show
SNAP Stories
In honor of the 25th Anniversary of SNAP, during the 2014 National Conference Aug 1-3 StoryCorps reserved two full recording days for SNAP members to share their stories. We are so proud of the brave survivors who have made their stories available to you with the hope that those who have not yet found the courage, will be inspired to come forward.Click HERE to listen to these stories.
The Survival of David Clohessy [previous SNAP executive director] February 12, 2020
Join SNAP
We invite clergy abuse victims, family members of victims, and supporters of victims to be involved and to join SNAP.Joining SNAP is free and completely confidential. We never sell nor share our membership list with anyone.
We are also looking for survivors to start SNAP chapters. Chapter leaders must be able to conduct a monthly self-help support group meeting in their local area and promote the missions of SNAP.
Contact Steven Spaner for details.
This site is all about the TRUTH
...and there is plenty of it, so
KEEP ON SCROLLING DOWN.
We try very hard to always update and post items on this web site, with complete integrity.
We realize it takes a lot of courage to reach out for help, and we thank you for visiting our site. We also realize this trauma reaches family members and those who are concerned and frustrated about the sex abuse crisis within the religious community.
This web site is a place to find information about our SNAP support meetings in your local area, plus we are constantly updating news stories and information about clergy who have been publicly accused of sex abuse within the Australian dioceses. Our goal is survivor support, public education, and protection of kids.
We also plan to post survivor video stories. Sometimes it helps to listen to these stories to better understand the trauma and life pain of those who have been harmed by clergy and those who are related to these survivors: family and friends.
We post on this site many links to other self help groups and information to support victims. As SNAP Australia identifies State and major city SNAP leaders, their email addresses and phone numbers will be posted for you. If you need general help and support, please feel free to contact Steven Spaner, USA SNAP leader contact for Australians.
SNAP leaders know that the principle wish of every survivor is healing and the desire to see that their experiences never happens to another child, young person, or vulnerable adult.
You, who are survivors of sex abuse did NOT deserve this, did NOT ask for this to happen to you, and it was NOT your fault. There is healing when you are able to speak up and get this burden off your shoulders and free from your heart. ... give it to the universe to carry for a while.... Just maybe, your life will be much more at peace.
Our ultimate goal is to open up the secrets, stop the silence, support those who have already been harmed, and thereby protect children.
Thank you for making the decision to visit our SNAPAustralia.org web site.
Child Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church:
An Interpretive Review of the Literature and Public Inquiry Reports
by: Desmond Cahill and Peter Wilkinsonreleased: September 13, 2017
[podcast series, host David Glanz]
Essay by Tom Doyle
Before Spotlight - Some Background Memories
March 1, 2016ABC RN Interview of Tom Doyle
What cracked open the child sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church? on Religion and Ethics Report
February 1, 2017Catholic Whistleblowers
Est. May 24, 2013About Catholic Whistleblowers
List of Catholic Whistleblowers
"The Role of Church Law in the Child Abuse Issue: Help or Hindrance"
Catholics For Renewal. VIC, YouTube, October 29, 2014.
Part 1 - Speaker, Kieran Tapsell
Part 2 - Responder, Professor Ian
(ABC 4 Corners videos)
May 27,
1996
Twice Betrayed-Part1
Twice Betrayed-Part2
Twice Betrayed-Part3
Twice Betrayed-Part4
The Homies August 18, 2003
First half of programSecond half of program
Unholy Silence August 24, 2012
Cult of Horrors July 28, 2014
In the Name of the Law August 12, 2014
Boys Club
February 17, 2020
Click
the story title to view video
Secrets of the Vatican
PBS Frontline VideoFebruary 25, 2014
WHAT THE POPE KNEW
BBC Panorama Report
14 Septemeber 2010
WHAT THE POPE KNEW
The CNN Report
25 September 2010
The Oprah Show