For more information: Judy Jones 636-433-2511,
Helen Schoeppner 740-568-8213, David Clohessy (314-566-9790)

Group Seeks To ‘Protect The Vulnerable & Heal the Wounded”

Self Help Organization Holds Confidential Sessions in 3 S.E. Ohio Cities

Confidential support group meetings for clergy sex abuse victims and their families are scheduled for three Ohio cities in the weeks ahead.

The meetings are sponsored by a Chicago based organization called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. SNAP is the nation’s oldest and largest self help group for men, women and children who have been sexually exploited and assaulted by clergy. Despite the word ‘priests’ in SNAP’s name, the organization welcomes and helps anyone hurt by religious figures in any denomination.

The sessions will be held in July, August and September in the Steubenville, Columbus, and Marietta areas.

"Many adults who were molested as kids are still trapped in shame and self blame. They need and deserve help,” said Judy Jones, SNAP leader for Southeastern Ohio. "We have already had two support meetings and our attendance is growing."

"It is important that a safe place is created for victims to come forward, break their silence, know they aren’t alone, and begin to recover," said Helen Schoeppner, SNAP’s co-leader for Southeastern Ohio. “In a support group meeting, victims can find help and strength to get professional therapy and report these crimes to law enforcement, so that others will be protected.”

The two women believe that church officials, especially in the Steubenville diocese, still ignore victims of sexual abuse by clergy. They are disappointed that Catholic authorities have rejected their requests to announce SNAP support meeting dates in church bulletins.

"The Steubenville church hierarchy acts like they just want victims to give up and go away,” said Jones. “Publicly, they claim to care, but their actions show they really don’t.”

Jones and Schoeppner are particularly concerned about the thousands of youngsters attending the Franciscan University Youth Conferences in Steubenville.

“We wish parents wouldn’t let their children attend these functions without a chaperon. This concern is another reason why we plan to make SNAP an even bigger presence in Ohio," says Jones.

The meetings will be:

* July 23 in Columbus

* August 20 in Marietta

* September 17 in New Concord

Victims, family members and supporters are welcome to attend.

For more information and details about locations contact:

Judy Jones, SNAP Leader... (636-433-2511)

Helen Schoeppner, SNAP Leader... (740-568-8213)

Or: please check our web site: http://www.steubenvilletruth.org/