PENNSYLVANIA
Fox 43
[with video]
BY CAITLIN SINETT
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Rep. Mark Rozzi spoke out about the child sex abuse scandal in Altoona-Johnstown.
Two bishops from that diocese are accused of allowing priests to sexually abuse hundreds of children.
For Rozzi, it’s personal.
“At first I was definitely appalled, outraged, here we go again,” he said.
He was abused sexually by a priest when he was a child and had friends who were sexually abused at a young age.
“I had three childhood friends who have committed suicide, the recent one just on Good Friday of this past year. So when people say, ‘Is it personal?’, you better believe it is,” he said.
He said victims of sexual abuse sometimes blame themselves, and it’s difficult for them to face their abuser.
“I didn’t do anything then, but I can do something now. I can stand up for the voiceless and give all these victims out there that are struggling with alcohol, drugs, that have committed suicide, I can be their voice here in the Capitol.”
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