By Charley Hannagan
The Post-Standard
November 28, 2011
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/11/victim_advocates_applaud_berni.html
 |
| Rev. Robert Hoatson, speaking, Richard Tollner, Marianne Barone-Trent, and Dick Regan, right, show support for Bernie Fine accusers Bobby Davis and Mike Lang, at Syracuse University on Nov. 21. |
Syracuse, NY – Members of the New York Coalition to Protect Children this morning had mixed reactions to Syracuse University Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim's statement Sunday that he regrets his earlier remarks about two men who accused assistant coach Bernie Fine of sexual abuse.
Boeheim had earlier stated strong support for Fine, and told ESPN that at least one of the accusers was lying.
A week ago, coalition members attending a rally on SU's campus in support of Fine's accusers called on Boeheim to apologize.
Sunday night, SU fired Fine.
In a statement Sunday, Boeheim said he deeply regrets earlier statements he made that might have inhibited an investigation into the allegations against Fine or been insensitive to victims of abuse.
Read our complete coverage of the Bernie Fine story.
Coalition member Richard Tollner, from the Albany area, applauded Boeheim, calling the statement an “appropriate response. People have to understand you can’t jump to conclusions.”
The Rev. Robert M. Hoatson, a Catholic priest who is president of Road to Recovery Inc., a non-profit that supports victims of sexual abuse, was less charitable.
Boeheim’s earlier statements were “completely inappropriate and out of line. Now he’s backtracking on his story,” Hoatson said.
“Bernie Fine’s firing is just the beginning,” Hoatson said.
“Once again it proves when people begin to attack victims it comes back to haunt them,” he said.
Both men applauded the university for firing Fine in the wake of allegations that he sexually abused young boys.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.