Catholic Coach Arrested; SNAP Responds

SNAP
August 27, 2013

http://www.snapnetwork.org/oh_catholic_coach_arrested_snap_responds

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com)

A Catholic coach has been arrested on child sex charges. We hope this news prompts others who have seen, suspected or suffered by Catholic employees’ child sex crimes to step forward.

When men like Thomas Hansman are charged, often others stay silent. “It’s all being taken care of now,” they assume. But that’s wrong.

Child predators often get good lawyers. They often exploit legal technicalities. They often get light sentences or go unpunished because of some loophole. And their victims struggle while others with helpful information do nothing.

So we beg anyone with suspicions or knowledge of Hansman’s crimes to call police officials, not church officials. We beg them to not let one victim carry the burden of prosecuting Hansman alone.

Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, SNAPclohessy@aol.com), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, SNAPblaine@gmail.com)