UTAH
Good4Utah
[with video]
By Glen Beeby | gbeeby@good4utah.com
Published 04/06 2016
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4 Utah) – Phil Saviano is a sex abuse survivor whose story is featured in the movie Spotlight. He was in Salt Lake City Wednesday for a screening, and to talk about why it’s important for victims to speak out.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness month. The first Wednesday is known as Start By Believing Day. Advocates for survivors say it’s important for people to believe someone if they say they’ve been sexually assaulted or raped.
Saviano was the victim of a Catholic Priest in Boston and didn’t tell his story until 1992. That was a time he said when survivors were often believed.
“Couple of family members criticized me brining a scandal to my home town, but I’ve lived long enough to see the issue turn around,” said Saviano.
Judy Larson was also at the event. She was a victim of rape at the hands of her Catholic Priest back in 1957 when she was 10 years old. She didn’t tell anyone until January of this year, but was surprised by the reaction of police and the church.
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