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Former Minister Arrested for Sexual Battery

Last Update: Jul 13, 2007 3:36 PM

Posted By: Adrienne Phillips

Shelby County Sheriff's deputies have arrested the former minister of a Cordova church, accused of molesting a former church member.
Investigators say the victim, a 21 year-old man, told deputies that 46 year-old Steven Haney, who served as pastor of Walnut Grove Baptist Church for 20 years, abused him at the church and at other locations in the Memphis area from September 2001 through December 2006.

The victim said Haney approached him when he was 15 years-old and became his mentor. The victim said Haney eventually lured him into performing sexual acts inside the church study as well as at other Memphis locations.

Haney is charged with sexual battery by an authority figure.

Friday, July 13, 2007

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell)

We're of course sad to hear of this arrest and our hearts go out to this wounded young man and any others who may have been hurt by this minister. We applaud his courage, because we know how difficult it is for those who have been molested to report the horrific crime. We are especially grateful that he found the strength to disclose his painful experiences quickly, so that criminal prosecution is possible.

When vitims and witnesses speak up, kids are protected and wrongdoers are exposed. But when victims and witnesses remain silent, kids remain vulnerable and predators remain free.

We hope that others who have been sexually assaulted are inspired by this brave man's example, and also contact law enforcement about this perpetrator.

(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the nation’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We’ve been around for 17 years and have more than 7,000 members across the country. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)

Contact David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, 314-645-5915 home), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688), Mary Grant (626-419-2930), Mark Serrano (703-727-4940)