BishopAccountability.org
	Sandusky Case Strikes Familiar Chord with Local Woman By Katrina Webber KSAT November 9, 2011 http://www.ksat.com/news/29727496/detail.html [with video] SAN ANTONIO -- A local woman believes there are striking similarities between a sexual abuse scandal involving a former Penn State University assistant football coach and an alleged cover-up of sex abuse cases by the Catholic Church. Barbara Garcia-Boeland is the local president of a group called, SNAP, or Support Network for Those Who've Been Abused by Priests. Her own son, Eduardo, was among many people worldwide who accused the Catholic Church of covering up cases of sexual abuse involving its priests. Eduardo committed suicide in 1997 at the age of 20 -- four years after she said he was sexually assaulted by a priest at a local seminary. "There's shame, embarrassment. You feel guilt," said Garcia-Boehland, explaining what might cause victims to end their own lives. She said she fears a similar fate could befall some of the alleged victims in this latest scandal. Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky is accused of sexually assaulting as many as 20 young boys to whom he had access by way of a charity he'd established. At least one of the incidents is alleged to have happened on the Penn State campus, which Sandusky had access to even after he retired. Others within the university are accused of failing to report the allegations to local police, and then helping to cover up the situation. "Keeping this a secrecy thing, in order not to scar the university or scar their own names, or embarrassment. Well, what do they think these victims feel?" Garcia-Boehland said. She said she plans to continue working through her organization to make sure there are no future cover-ups. One way, she said, is through encouraging the victims not to remain silent. "This thing happens all the time but it has to come to a stop," said Garcia-Boehland. "Hopefully, they'll find the courage to tell somebody."
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