SNAP establishes Web sites to help victims of abuse by clergy

A national self-help group network for victims of sexual abuse by clergy now has five Ohio Valley-area support group meetings to meet the need for healing.

SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), has named Judy Block-Jones as the regional director for the Ohio Valley to oversee the expansion.

SNAP is the nation’s largest support groups for men and women who were sexually abused in religious organizations.

Barbara Dorris, SNAP’s outreach director, said the organization has been contacted by people who were assaulted by clergy from many denominations.

Jones also is spearheading a Web effort to publicize the meetings, post news stories and survivor videos, circulate a national hot-line number and expose predators and their records of abuse.

The group has launched five Web sites. Meeting times and additional information may be found for: Youngstown, www.Youngstowntruth.org; Steubenville, www.steubenvilletruth.org; Pittsburgh-Ohio Valley, www.Pittsburghtruth.org; Wheeling-Charleston, www.WheelingCharlestontruth.org; and Mansfield, columbustruth.org.