ST. LOUIS (MO)
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
February 24, 2019
At the papal summit this week, Pope Francis presented 21 points for reflection. SNAP is about action, so instead we’re providing 21 steps that you can take to help prevent abuse, protect children, and support survivors:
If you see something, say something! Report any suspected child sexual abuse to local law enforcement who are trained to investigate these cases. Here’s a list of reporting hotlines you can use for every state in the US.
Educate yourself about child sexual abuse. Learn more about warning signs for sexual abuse here and be prepared to make a report if anything seems wrong.
Encourage open dialogue and don’t be afraid to talk about abuse. Ask all your children – including your adult children – if anything ever happened to them.
Talk to your children about sex abuse. Make sure children understand that you are always there to help and that if anything happens to them you will believe them and that it is not their fault. This resource can help.
Encourage your friends and neighbors to learn about child sexual abuse. Educated communities are better able to prevent cases of abuse and intervene in ongoing cases.
Be open to hearing about someone’s trauma. If someone tells you they were abused tell them “I am so sorry; I believe you; this isn’t your fault, how can I help you?”
Invite survivors to share their stories at your church. The more that people are aware of sexual abuse, the more likely they are to get involved in prevention.
Write letters to the editors about articles you see about abuse. Every article is an opportunity to educate others about prevention and protection.
When you read an article about someone who was abused make a positive comment in the comment section. Victims read the comments and you can make them feel they made the right choice by speaking out.
Donate to an organization that works to protect children. Non-profits rely on your donations to provide programs that support survivors and help prevent abuse. Support SNAP here.
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