"Spotlight" Helped Dennis Hastert Victim Tell His Story

By Scott Viau
Patch
June 28, 2016

http://patch.com/illinois/yorkville/spotlight-helped-dennis-hastert-victim-tell-his-story

One of Dennis Hastert’s sexual abuse victims says the movie “Spotlight” helped him gather the courage to share his story.

Scott Cross spoke during a Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests news conference and award ceremony Sunday in Chicago. Cross said during Dennis Hastert’s sentencing that he was a “key figure in my life, as a coach and a teacher.

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“The movie ‘Spotlight” was a very powerful moment for me as I struggled talking to my wife about this,” Cross said in a YouTube video of his speech posted by the Chicago Sun-Times. At the behest of his wife, Cross watched the movie alone, which helped him make the decision to come forward.

Cross said Hastert asking his brother, Illinois Rep. Tom Cross, for a letter of support also was a deciding factor.