CHINO (CA)
Daily Bulletin
By Mason Stockstill, Staff Writer
CHINO - Activists with a support group for clergy abuse victims said they were threatened with legal and criminal action for distributing leaflets at a church accused of harboring child molesters.
Members of the Los Angeles chapter of SNAP Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests - went to Chino on Sunday to hand out leaflets to congregants at Inland Community Church. The church is facing a lawsuit filed by six people claiming youth counselors there abused them.
The SNAP members who participated Sunday said church leaders responded to their presence by promising to sue the activists for defamation and seeking a police investigation into charges of criminal negligence.
"That's just such a clear warning sign of where the priorities are at the church, and that is just a typical and common dynamic where abuse has been covered up," said Mary Grant, head of SNAP's Los Angeles chapter. "There's that type of defensiveness or lack of concern for the victims or those that are still at risk."