IL- Clergy sex abuse group marks 25th anniversary

By David Clohessy
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
July 23, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/il_clergy_sex_abuse_group_marks_25th_anniversary

Clergy sex abuse victims hold 25th anniversary conference in Chicago

Group celebrates 25 years of “growth, healing, justice and prevention”

Speakers include Pulitzer prize winner and noted St. Paul whistleblower

The world's largest and oldest support group for men and women sexually abused as children will be celebrating its 25th anniversary at a Chicago conference August 1.

SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPNetwork.org), was founded in Chicago in 1988 by clergy abuse survivor Barbara Blaine. What started as an informal group of survivors is now a global network, with support group meetings in 65 US cities and members in 79 countries.

SNAP has become the leading voice in the fight against sexual abuse in religious and institutional settings, with leaders continually quoted as experts by the global media on the topics of abuse, cover-up and healing. The group's advocacy on behalf of survivors has exposed abuse and cover-up around the world, including the Vatican.

The SNAP Annual Conference will bring together experts in the area of clergy sex crimes, law enforcement, psychology, health, healing, advocacy, and research. This event attracts hundreds of survivors and supporters from the US, Canada, South America, Africa and Europe.