Local Abuse Victim Reacts to Penn State Controversy, WYTV, November 11, 2011

Local Abuse Victim Reacts to Penn State Controversy

WYTV
November 11, 2011

http://www.wytv.com/content/news/local/story/Local-Abuse-Victim-Reacts-to-Penn-State/SZDHQxmWd0qpx38-OD5Jwg.cspx

Joe Paterno

The Penn State Board of Trustees spent most of the day Friday on damage control.

They said they will fully investigate how university officials and employees handled the allegations that led to the grand jury indictment of former football coach Jerry Sandusky. He's accused of sexually abusing eight boys over a 15-year period.

We spoke to a local victim of sexual abuse about how the Penn State case is bringing this crime to the forefront.

"Its affected my whole life," he said.

The Valley man, who does not want to be identified, said he was sexually abused by a member of the church when he was 12 years old.

"And it's something I deal with everyday," he said, "I overcame it. A lot of people don't make it."

To help more people "make it", he joined SNAP, a worldwide support group for clergy abuse victims. He said his heart goes out to the eight boys allegedly abused by former Penn State Coach Jerry Sandusky.

While he agrees with the dismissal of the university officials accused of not properly reporting the abuse, this victim believes the alleged inaction of head coach Joe Paterno, Athletic Director Tim Curley and Vice President Gary Schultz are inexcusable.

"A lot of times what that does is it validates the person to continue doing it and perpetuates a horrible, horrible crime," he said.

However, he wants the victims to know that life does not end with this crime.

"That yes, there is hope. There are survivors," he said.

But they do have a long, difficult road ahead.

He believes the media frenzy surrounding the case could actually aid in the healing process, if it helps more victims to get the courage to come forward and realize they're not alone. When he first spoke about his experience almost 20 years after his alleged incident, his journey took a new turn.

"From that point on I have grown much stronger and now I get to help people," he said. "And I think that's why I'm still around."

There will be a Youngstown SNAP support meeting on Saturday, Dec. 10. For more information on time and location, you can contact Judy Jones at 636-433-8511. Or click on the links page of this website and go to SNAP.