Controversy
In 2002, SNAP advocated for a bill in California that lifted the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse cases. The bill was drafted by Laurence E. Drivon, a lawyer who had represented 320 plaintiffs in clergy abuse cases and who had contributed to SNAP. The lifting of the statute of limitations allowed Drivon and other lawyers to file hundreds of new lawsuits.
In 2004, SNAP acknowledged accepting donations from leading attorneys who had represented clients in abuse cases, but maintained that it did not direct clients to these attorneys.
SNAP's support for Steve Taylor, a psychiatrist convicted on child pornography charges, has been criticized.
SNAP has been court ordered to release information on alleged sex abuse victims. This information has been requested because it is believed that an attorney for the plaintiff in a sex abuse case violated a gag order in leaking information to SNAP. SNAP's founder has been deposed, and the Missouri state Supreme Court has refused to intervene. According to David Clohessy, the director and spokesman, it is the most significant legal battle facing the organization in its 23 years and that he personally may be fined or jailed.
In August 2011, the Catholic League criticized SNAP for what the Catholic League said was libel against then-Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan. The League also called SNAP a "phony victims' group". SNAP had accused Dolan of covering up allegations of sexual abuse.
Read more about this topic: Survivors Network Of Those Abused By Priests
Famous quotes containing the word controversy:
“And therefore, as when there is a controversy in an account, the parties must by their own accord, set up for right Reason, the Reason of some Arbitrator, or Judge, to whose sentence, they will both stand, or their controversy must either come to blows, or be undecided, for want of a right Reason constituted by Nature; so is it also in all debates of what kind soever.”
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