A reliable confidential source has notified S.N.A.P. of new strategies and tactics being employed by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (possible other Dioceses as well) to SCAM Victims in the name of potential financial settlements for the victims.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has a new settlement committee set up (under the misrepresentation) to assist victims in getting financial settlements.   Attorneys retained by the church are currently contacting victims and requesting the victim agree to meet with the church attorney to settle their case. 

The victim is required to meet with the church attorney and a court reporter (without the Victim's attorney present) to make an official statement about their abuse and reveal the names of their supporting witnesses. 

The church attorney tells the victim they are there to help the victim get settlement money from Insurance companies. This process is done in secret and no one learns about the crimes the church has committed against innocent children. 

In fact, the church attorneys won't offer the victim a settlement but rather use the information the victim gave them in the interview to discredit the victim in the future if the victim tries to sue the church in the future.  The victim's potential for a settlement is ruined and the church is off the hook financially and has no responsibility to pay the victim. 

The church is trying to "trick victims" by offering to settle the victim's case now because the new law takes effect January 1, 2003 in California, allows victims who were abused as children to file a civil case against the church, to secure compensation for what has been done to them as innocent children. 

If you receive "a call " from the an attorney or representative of the Diocese asking you to meet with them without your attorney, immediately do the following: 

1. Inform the Diocese that you have any attorney, give them your attorney's name and tell 
   them to call your attorney.  Please do not make any other statements to the Diocese or 
   their attorneys about your case without you attorney's approval. 

NOTE: IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN ATTORNEY, PLEASE CALL S.N.A.P. AND WE CAN REFER YOU TO A NUMBER OF EXCELLENT ATTORNEYS THAT ARE EXPERIENCED IN HANDLING THESE CASES AGAINST THE CHURCH.   MOST OF THESE ATTORNEYS WILL HANDLE YOUR CASE WITHOUT ANY UP FRONT MONEY FROM YOU. 

2. If you receive a message on your voicemail and/or a letter from the Diocese asking you to meet with them, please do not respond but immediately notify your attorney and let your attorney discuss your case with the Diocese.  Do not attempt to meet with the Diocese yourself without your attorney present. 

We have already received reports from victims that they have been contacted by the Diocese.  Please notify S.N.A.P. by email so we know you have been contacted by the Diocese.  Immediately inform us about any new efforts by the church to trick and re-abuse victims.  Help S.N.A.P. protect all victims from being re-abused by the church and their attorneys. 

The church has got to pay for what they have done to innocent children.  Let's all work at keeping the Church honest and responsible for their actions.  REMEMBER WHAT THE POLICE TOLD US AT OUR MEETING: "THE CHURCH IS NOT YOUR FRIEND, BE CAREFUL" 

Please be careful so you don't lose your rights and your case!!!  Also, please forward this warning to other victims of clergy sexual abuse. 

Local Contact:
858-486-8525 ext. 117
e-mail:surviorsnetwork@sandiegosnap.org
Web site -- http://www.sandiegosnap.org