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	Priest Abuse Victims Rally to Raise Awareness YNN September 14, 2011 http://centralny.ynn.com/content/top_stories/557170/priest-abuse-victims-rally-to-raise-awareness/ [with video] SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Members of a priest abuse survivors' group want to raise awareness of the global issue. This week, members of SNAP asked international criminal court prosecutors to file "crimes against humanity" charges against the pope and other top church officials. The members of SNAP, including some who stood outside the Syracuse Roman Catholic Diocese Wednesday, are themselves clergy abuse victims. They say church leaders should be held accountable and victims should break their silence. CNY SNAP Leader Charles Bailey said, "I want them to walk away knowing they can come forward, they can expose their perpetrator, and that we can ultimately hopefully get criminal charges filed against those who commit these felony crimes against children." Syracuse Diocese Communications Director Danielle Cummings said, "Even though it's a tragedy for so many, including Charles, who stood before you today. But there's a good part in this issue, in that people who had been harmed now have the courage and the strength to come forward. And that's where the diocese of Syracuse is grateful." Cummings said the church has made major changes since the onset of the priest abuse scandal, including adding anonymous contacts, background checks and other safeguards for employees and volunteers, along with programs like healing groups.
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