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Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
| Survivors Network of Those Abused By Priests (SNAP)
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 17, 2002*** LOCAL SNAP CHAPTER RESPONSE TO CLERGY ABUSE REVIEW
The make-up and composition of the Diocesesan Reiview Board selected by Bishop Brom renders it irrelevent and virtually meaningless before its' work has barely begun. Rather than instill a sense of hope or confidence in the indiviual survivor who has been violated in the worst way, the formation of this committee does the exact opposite. Nowhere on this board is there a single independent voice free from conflicts of interest or internal influence. Nowhere on this board is the voice of a clergy abuse survivor; although
the diocese had previously
Nowhere on this panel is there one single health care professional or person trained or certified in the evaluation or treatment of "clergy" sexual abuse or trauma resolution from it. All of its' members are either paid employees of the diocese or have strong connections and ties to it. Some members of this board have in the past worked to conceal and
contain abuse cases and engaged in the
The real and potential conflicts of interest on this panel is simply staggering. The leader of this "review board", Mr. M. Gayle Askren, is quoted as saying, " It is bringing us into this issue like never before, and it is inviting us all to participate in this." Apparently the "US" that Mr. Askren refers to does not include the most important voice of all; that of the clergy abuse survivor or their "qualified" advocates. As a result, the individual survivor remains an outsider; disinfranchised more than ever from the very institution that tossed them aside in the first place. Most alarming is the fact that this diocese continues to invite victim/survivors
of abuse to come forward to the Church without first encouraging them to
report their abuse or come forward to the
By failing to do so, the diocese and members of the review board
places itself at risk of criminal tampering with witnessess, files and
other documentation relevant to any future prosecution or other litigation.
Mark A. Brooks
Local Contact:
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