CALIFORNIA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Friday, Feb. 28, 2014
For more info: Joelle Casteix 949 322 7434, jcasteix@gmail.com,
David Clohessy 314 566 9790 cell, SNAPclohessy@aol.com
Victims praise Rick Warren/OC bishop event
Daylong seminar to address mental health issues
Education is an important first step, group says
SNAP: “But firing wrong-doers as important as therapy”
A national support group for victims of child sexual abuse is applauding an upcoming church-sponsored mental health seminar, saying it’s a good first step in helping victims and others heal from the pains of mental illness.
Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPNetwork.org), are calling the partnership between Saddleback Church founder Rick Warren and the Catholic Diocese of Orange, CA, “movement in the right direction” to help victims of child sexual abuse and anyone who is suffering with mental illness.
The seminar, which will be held at the Saddleback Church campus in south Orange County, will feature speakers and small group seminars which will educate ministers and the public on how to compassionately and effectively help those suffering from mental illness.
SNAP leaders say that events like this should be accompanied by decisive action to help those who are suffering due to child sex abuse and cover-ups in Orange County institutions.
“There are three ways we can help victims of mental illness: compassion, intervention, and action,” said Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, SNAP Volunteer Western Regional Director. “But without action—without punishing wrongdoers and those who covered up for them—victims of child sexual abuse who suffer from mental illness are only more isolated, shamed and vulnerable.”
Casteix hopes that church officials in the area will publicly invite abuse victims to attend the event.
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