My Social Activism

For nearly a decade I was a member of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests), then took on a leadership role in 2002. I co-led survivor groups in Mass. and NH, participated in, and sometimes organized demonstrations and conferences, gave speeches, and was often asked to be a spokesperson to the press. I became the New England Co-Coordinator of SNAP, and was a founding member of STTOP, Speak Truth To Power. I collaborated with Mass Citizens for Children and Bishop Accountability. For several years I was an active member in CORSAL, the Coalition to Reform Sex Abuse Laws. This involved speaking before legislative hearings, public rallies at the State House, meeting with various public figures including the Attorney General and the Lieutenant Governor, lobbying, and letter writing.

I became involved in February, 2002, after making the first tentative step of writing letters to the editors of both the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald, identifying myself as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse by a priest, and as a psychologist. I had worked on my own issues for the previous 10 years in therapy and reported the abuse to the Providence (RI) Diocese in 1994. Soon I was at the forefront of a movement to demand accountability from the Roman Catholic Church, and reform the laws in Massachusetts.

I continue to speak out to the press, and work with others to promote social and legal changes in the community to better protect our children. Although my public work in this arena has been personally rewarding, so much work remains to be done.

Links about my Involvement

Ann Webb Quoted in the Washington Post article, "Survivors of sexual abuse in Catholic Church decry the Vatican’s honorable funeral for Cardinal Law"
Ann Webb Quoted in the Boston Herald Article About the Death of Cardinal Law, ‘Instead of justice, he got a cushy job’
Ann Webb Disputing Boston's Cardinal O'Malley's Statements about the Anti-clergy Abuse Film Spotlight
Ann Webb Quoted in an Article about Clergy Abuse Survivors Discussing the Film Spotlight
Ann Hagan Webb Is One of Three Clergy Abuse Survivors to Write Open Letters to Pope Francis
Ann Hagan Webb Is Quoted in Article about Pope Francis' Visit Spawning Anxiety in Clergy Abuse Survivors
Ann Webb Protesting Boston's Cardinal Law in 2002
Ann Hagan Webb Participating in 2013 Activism in Providence, RI
Ann Hagan Webb Speaks about a Rhode Island Report on Clergy Abuse
Ann Hagan Webb Asks "What about Female Victims of Clergy?"

Ann Hagan Webb Speaks out after the Paul Shanley Conviction in MA

In June of 2016 Ann Webb was invited to represent SNAP at The White House Summit for The United State of Women in Washington DC. She was invited to participate as one of 15 survivor advocates by the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence. Says Ms. Webb: "I was thrilled to take part in this White House initiative announced by President Obama in January."

For More Information

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP)
Coalition to Reform Sex Abuse Laws (CORSAL)
Bishop Accountability
Speak Truth To Power (STTOP)

Ann Hagan Webb's Phone numbers

Office: 617-513-8442
Fax: 781-871-0306

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