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Welcome to SNAPAustralia.org 
( Created by and for survivors of sexual abuse by clergy )

[Click on the BLUE headings/titles below to open the page with the information]


Aussie Victims' Stories
(listen and read)

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Have you watched the Marita Murphy story? ''You be the Judge''

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"Undeniable:The advocates and agitators who fought for justice”
Australia, ABC News

Paul Kennedy, December 12, 2017

Click HERE for the 1st Half

Click HERE for the 2nd Half

Australia’s Cardinal Pell has been Acquitted, SNAP responds
 For immediate release, April 7, 2020
______________________________
George Pell High Court decision LIVE: 
Cardinal freed from Barwon Prison

Sydney Morning Herald, April 7, 2020

Sins of the Cardinal
& his Chuch

CNN International Documentary
Presented by Anna Coren
March 21, 2019
 
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

For links to all the Commision's documents and its final report issued on December 15, 2017, 
click on the title above

For Articles related to this and other independent investigations of child sex abuse in Australia:
CLICK HERE

Pell and Royal CommissionGeorge


"Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in Care: Sir Anand Satyanand has today announced he will step down as Chair", New Zealand, Royal Commission, August 6, 2019.


Empirical Guidance On The Effects Of Child Sexual Abuse On Memory And Complainants’ Evidence.

July 2017

Sex crimes and the Catholic Church: Will a Parliamentary Inquiry and a Royal Commission deliver justice to victims, survivors and their families?” 

Judy Courtin presentation to
2013 Castan Centre Annual Conference

"Betrayal of Trust"
Victoria Parliament's 

"Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Organisations"
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Inquiry Report Summary
 13 Nov. 2013
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To read the Committee's report click on
Exc Summary        Vol. 1        Vol. 2

NSW, Special Commission of Inquiry into matters relating to the Police investigation of certain child sexual abuse allegations in the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

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Transcripts

SNAP Legal Action

For all things related to the
SNAP and Center for Constitutional Rights lawsuit filed against
the Pope and four
Vatican officers
for
violations of
human rights 
 [ CLICK HERE ]


Video: Moves to Put the Pope in Court

Fighting for the Future

(UN filing on February 28, 2013)




If you or anyone you know has suffered abuse, call Lifeline:
 
13 11 14


Sexual Assault Crisis Line:
1 800 806 292




Where To Report Your Abuse


Public Awareness Presentations and Radio Interviews


Information and Support


Other Australian organisations concerned with child abuse prevention.



PUBLICLY ACCUSED CLERGY

Partial List


PM Julia Gillard's full statement on the child sex abuse royal commission (with Q n A)

[click HERE for Transcript]


OPINION: Sex abuse survivors want to be believed

By Bob OToole and Lindsay Gardiner
April 2, 2013

Call Of Duty

ABC Australian Story
April 29, 2013

The story about  Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox; a man who was only doing his job.

Cops and Catholicism:  the cultural connection between police and the church

Download audio

ABC Radio - Andrew West        May 8, 2013

"George Pell and Child Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church"

Adelaide Festival of Ideas Forum [audio report], October 24, 2013


(9Jumpin's 60 Minutes videos)

The Paedophile Hunter ... May 24, 2015

Cardinal Pell ... May 31, 2015  ExtraMinutes | Peter Saunders

SPECIAL INVESTIGATION (pts 1, 2, & 3): Spies, Lords & Predators ... July 19, 2015

John Wojnowski

Haunted by his sexual abuse as a child, he has stood outside the Washington, DC Vatican embassy nearly every day since April 1998. His lonely vigil has made him a hero to victims of sexual abuse worldwide.
“Pope Protester: 17-Year Fight Against Child Sex Abuse [video]”, Washington, DC, CNS Maryland, September 22, 2015.
Tell John of your appreciation, just click on John's name above.

SNAP
 AUSTRALIA

HEADLINES and NEWS ARCHIVES 

[Click on the BLUE heading above for
healines and news archives]

[Click on the BLUE story titles below to open the recent stories]


"Catholic Church to rely on 'Ellis defence' in civil damages claim involving Cardinal George Pell." Australia, Melbourne, ABC News, Danny Morgan, August 4, 2022.


“4 takeaways from AP’s Mormon church sex abuse investigation”, Salt Lake City (UT), Associated Press, Michael Rezendes, August 4, 2022.


“Seven years of sex abuse: How Mormon officials let it happen”, Salt Lake City (UT), Associated Press, Michael Rezendes, August 4, 2022.


”Pope Francis Has An Enormous Job But Should Make Some Simple Changes”, USA, Adam Horowitz Law, Posted By Admin, January 26, 2022.


“Victorian Catholic Diocese Found Vicariously Liable For Child Sexual Abuse In Landmark Ruling”, Australia, The Guardian, Christopher Knaus, January 4, 2022.

“Judge rules Catholic Church vicariously liable for Ballarat paedophile priest Bryan Coffey’s abuse 50 years ago”, Australia VIC, ABC News, Elizabeth Byrne, December 27, 2021.


“Heartbreak relived: Catholic Church seeks abuse victim’s abortion record”, Victoria AUS, The Age, Tammy Mills, December 23, 2021.

“Catholic diocese liable for priest’s abuse”, Ballarat VIC, Australian Associated Press, December 22, 2021.


“SNAP mourns the loss of clergy sex abuse survivor and pioneer Phil Saviano”, SNAP Media Statement, November 28, 2021.

“Phil Saviano, key clergy sex abuse whistleblower, dies at 69”, USA PBS News Hour, November 28, 2021.

“Phil Saviano, clergy abuse victim who refused to stay silent, dies at 69”, Boston MA USA, Boston Globe, Bryan Marquard, November 28, 2021.


“Father Bob Maguire: The priest who fought the Catholic Church”, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia] The Big Smoke, Ingeborg van Teeseling, September 13, 2021. 

“Tasmanian Catholic call for priests with 'conscientious objection' to COVID vaccines to be allowed into aged care”, Tasmania, Australia, ABC News, Loretta Lohberger, September 8, 2021.

“‘I guess it’s closure’: $1m settlement for victim of clerical abuse”, Sunbury, Australia, The Age, Cameron Houston, September 8, 2021.

“All promise and no delivery: Morrison’s ‘slap in the face’ for sex abuse survivors”, Melbourne VIC, Australia, Crikey, David Hardaker, September 1, 2021.


“Survivors abused by ‘sadistic’ priest win compensation battle, but money ‘won’t change’ impact”, Port Fairy, Australia, ABC News [Sydney, Australia], Matt Neal, August 26, 2021.

“Unmarked graves in Canada raise questions about Australia’s stolen children”, Australia, La Croix International [France], Celeste Liddle, August 18, 2021.  

“Students who reported abuse by paedophile priest Anthony Caruana labelled liars, court hears”, Burradoo (Australia), ABC News, Tim Fernandez, August 18, 2021.   

“Catholic organisations admit liability for now-deceased paedophile priest Bryan Coffey”, Sydney, Australia, ABC News, Matt Neal, August 17, 2021.

“Ex-priest charged with indecent act on boy”, Sydney, Australia, 7News, Australian Associated Press, August 16, 2021.


“Abuse survivors of now-deceased priest line up to seek compensation”, Australia, VIC, ABC News, Matt Neal, July 27, 2021.

“Legal payout brings hope for other victims of paedophile priest”, Melbourne, VIC, The Age, Adam Cooper, July 26, 2021.

“Anglican Church knew of abuse by carer, but promoted him anyway”, Wellington, New Zealand, Stuff, Deborah Morris, July 25, 2021.


“‘Calculated risk’ costs media including Nine and News Corp $1.1m in fines”, VIC, Australia, Mumbrella, Olivia Kruimel, June 4, 2021.

“Australian media fined $840,000 for gag order breach in Pell sex assault case”, Australia, Reuters, Sonali Paul, June 4, 2021. 

“'It was undignified': Cardinal George Pell opens up about his toughest experience in jail before he was acquitted of child sex offences”, Rome, Daily Mail Ausralia, Charlie Coe, May 19, 2021.


“Priest charged with indecent assault wanted to change ‘feeling towards young boys’, court told”, Burradoo (Australia), Sydney Morning Herald, Laura Chung, May 24, 2021.

“Law firm issues callout to past students of Kingston High School over historical child sex abuse allegations”, TAS (Australia), ABC News, Lucy MacDonald, May 21, 2021.


“'It was undignified': Cardinal George Pell opens up about his toughest experience in jail before he was acquitted of child sex offences”, Rome, Daily Mail Ausralia, Charlie Coe, May 19, 2021.


“Former Victorian priest could be extradited to US on fresh sexual assault charges”, Ballarat, Australia, ABC News, Jackson Peck, May 5, 2021.


“Are Catholic Clergy more Likely to Be Paedophiles than the General Public? REDUX.” UK, Patheos, Jonathan MS Pearce, March 24, 2021.


“Queensland paedophile priest acquitted of historical child sex offences”, Australia QLD, Brisbane, Brisbane Times, Toby Crockford, March 19, 2021.

“Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing a schoolboy almost 50 years ago told police the teenager had the ‘wrong bloke’, court hears”, Australia, Australian Associated Press, Daily Mail, March 17, 2021.

“Catholic priest denies historical abuse”, Australia, Australian Associated Press, Robyn Muth, March 16, 2021.


“Catholic Church structure to blame for abuse in care, priest tells inquiry”, Wellington, New Zealand, Radio New Zealand, Andrew McRae, March 24, 2021.

“Catholic Church on abuse: 'We are ashamed and saddened'”, New Zealand, Radio New Zealand, Andrew McRae, March 23, 2021.

“Anglican Bishop apologises to abuse victims: ‘The Diocese must do better’”, New Zealand, Christchurch, Stuff, Mariné Lourens, March 18, 2021.

“Redress, tangible compensation critical for those abused in state, faith-based care”, New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand, Radio New Zealand, David Cohen, March 15, 2021.


“Opinion: Coalition’s concern for rule of law a ‘convenient fig leaf’”, Australia, Sydney NSW, Sydney Morning Herald, Josh Bornstein, March 9, 2021.


"'I was walking into an ambush': Former Wallaby Tony Daly speaks out about childhood sexual abuse",  Australia, Sydney NSW, ABC  News, David Mark, March 7, 2021.


“Indigenous 'healer' rape trial nears end as West Australian jury hears closing arguments”, Australia, WA, ABC Great Southern, Toby Hussey, March 2, 2021.


“Sex abuse survivors lose archive as Facebook removes news from 'life saving' site”, Australia, Perth WA, ABC News, Rhiannon Shine, February 18, 2021.


“Body of Evidence – Older Survivors and the Law”, Australia, Australia Independent Media, Keith Davis, January 29, 2021.

“Old Collegian policeman recognised in Australia Day Honours”, Ballarat VIC, St. Patrick’s College web page, January 26, 2021.

"Catholic Church ordered to pay millions to WA abuse survivor", Australia, WA, 9News, Brittany Hoskins, January 21, 2021.

"Sex abuse victim speaks out after Perth Catholic church consents to pay $2.45m compensation", Australia, Perth WA, ABC News, Keane Bourke and Amelia Searson, January 21, 2021.

"Catholic Church makes record payout in child sex abuse case", Australia, Brisbane QLD, Brisbane Times, Heather McNeill, January 21, 2021.


"[Opinion] Abuse inquiry: we all know the outcome", New Zealand, Gisborne Herald, Matthew Epsom, January 10, 2021.




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Join SNAP
 Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests


2013 SNAP 25th Anniversary
View Slide Show

SNAP Stories

In honor of the 25th Anniversary of SNAP, during the 2014 National Conference Aug 1-3 StoryCorps reserved two full recording days for SNAP members to share their stories. We are so proud of the brave survivors who have made their stories available to you with the hope that those who have not yet found the courage, will be inspired to come forward.
Click HERE to listen to these stories.


The Survival of David Clohessy [previous SNAP executive director] February 12, 2020


Join SNAP

We  invite clergy abuse victims, family members of victims, and supporters   of victims to be involved and to join SNAP.
 
 
Joining SNAP is free and completely confidential. We never sell nor share our membership list with anyone.
We are also looking for survivors to start SNAP chapters.  Chapter leaders must be able to conduct a monthly self-help support group meeting in their local area and promote the missions of SNAP.

Contact Steven Spaner for details.


This site is all about the TRUTH
...and there is plenty of it, so
KEEP ON SCROLLING DOWN.
We try very hard to always update and post items on this web site, with complete integrity.

We realize it takes a lot of courage to reach out for help, and we thank you for visiting our site. We also realize this trauma reaches family members and those who are concerned and frustrated about the sex abuse crisis within the religious community.

This web site is a place to find information about our SNAP support meetings in your local area, plus we are constantly updating news stories and information about clergy who have been publicly accused of sex abuse within the Australian dioceses.  Our goal is survivor support, public education, and protection of kids.

We also plan to post survivor video stories. Sometimes it helps to listen to these stories to better understand the trauma and life pain of  those who have been harmed by clergy and those who are related to these survivors: family and friends.

We post on this site many links to other self help groups and information to support victims. As SNAP Australia identifies State and major city SNAP leaders, their email addresses and phone numbers will be posted for you. If you need general help and support, please feel free to contact Steven Spaner, USA SNAP  leader contact for Australians.
  SNAP leaders know that the principle wish of every survivor is healing and the desire to see that their experiences never happens to another child, young person, or vulnerable adult.

You, who are survivors of sex abuse did NOT deserve this, did NOT ask for this to happen to you, and it was NOT your fault. There is healing when you are able to speak up and get this burden off your shoulders and free from your heart. ... give it to the universe to carry for a while.... Just maybe, your life will be much more at peace.

Our ultimate goal is to open up the secrets, stop the silence, support those who have already been harmed, and thereby protect children.

Thank you for making the decision to visit our SNAPAustralia.org web site.



Child Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church: 

An Interpretive Review of the Literature and Public Inquiry Reports

by: Desmond Cahill and Peter Wilkinson
released: September 13, 2017

[podcast series, host David Glanz]

Essay by Tom Doyle

Before Spotlight - Some Background Memories

March 1, 2016

ABC RN Interview of Tom Doyle

What cracked open the child sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church? on Religion and Ethics Report

February 1, 2017

Catholic Whistleblowers

Est. May 24, 2013

About Catholic Whistleblowers

List of Catholic Whistleblowers


"The Role of Church Law in the Child Abuse Issue: Help or Hindrance"

Catholics For Renewal. VIC, YouTube, October 29, 2014.

Part 1 - Speaker, Kieran Tapsell

Part 2 - Responder, Professor Ian 


(ABC 4 Corners videos)

May 27, 1996

Twice Betrayed-Part1

Twice Betrayed-Part2

Twice Betrayed-Part3

Twice Betrayed-Part4

The Homies August 18, 2003

First half of program

Second half of program

Unholy Silence August 24, 2012

Cult of Horrors July 28, 2014

In the Name of the Law  August 12, 2014

Boys Club  February 17, 2020

Click the story title to view video

Secrets of the Vatican

PBS Frontline Video
February 25, 2014

WHAT THE POPE KNEW

BBC Panorama Report

14 Septemeber 2010


WHAT THE POPE KNEW

The CNN Report

25 September 2010


OprahLogo.jpg
The Oprah Show

200 Adult Men Who Were Molested Come Forward: Full Episode

January 31, 2013 Interview with Peter Isely, SNAP founding member, advocate of the 200 abused men, and clergy abuse survivor himself.


Male Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Share Their Stories


Pedophiles and Impunity

[9 part documentary]







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This web site is managed and maintained by Steven Spaner, SNAP Australia Coordinator and SNAPAustralia.org webmaster.
Send corrections, additions, and private comments by clicking on webmaster's name.
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