Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Woman who survives sexual abuse in the Catholic church stands up for others

Barbara Blaine doesn't attend Christ the King Catholic Church. 

She doesn't even live in Tampa.

But on this Sunday, she met with any parishioner who would listen.

"If anyone has information to speak up, report it," Blaine said.

She makes it easy. 

She passes out these flyers with numbers and websites where victims can turn.

“We know in the U.S. there are over 6,000 priests who have abused children well the bishops conference is willing to admit 6,000,” she said.

Blaine is a crusader against sex abuse in the Catholic Church, because she says she was once one of those children.

“It took me 20 years before I was able to speak up and during that time I thought I was the only one,” Blaine said.

Soon, she learned there were others.

“By finding other victims and knowing I was not alone it helped me to put the shame on guilt on the priests and not on me,” she said.

Determined to help others, she started SNAP, or the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

She travels across the world with her message, and now more than just her staff and supporters are following her.

A film crew joined her in Tampa.

“We are making a documentary for Dutch television Holland about civilians who fight against pedophile,” she said.

Blain says her fight is far from over. 

Even though her non-profit has gone international, she wants each diocese to do more.

“We want each bishop to reveal the identity of all accused predators.”

So far, SNAP's website, says 24 have done that.

She says while she is here, she hopes to reach out to Bishop Robert Lynch and ask him to follow their lead.

She says she won't give up until everyone listens.

SIC: ABC/USA