CALIFORNIA
The Collegian
Posted by: Daniel Gligich Jan 31, 2017
Ever since Fresno State Athletic Director Jim Bartko told someone what happened during his childhood, a burden was lifted.
Bartko revealed to the public in the middle of January that he was molested by a Catholic priest about 35 times as a child. He traveled in December to Tucson, Arizona, to a rehabilitation facility, Sierra Tucson, and received treatment for sleeping issues, anxiety and anxiousness.
Bartko never spoke of his experiences as a child. But after more than 40 years, he decided to talk publicly about the molestations.
“It’s kind of funny, after 40-some years you never say it,” Bartko said. “But when you get asked the hard questions, it’s kind of like, ‘Do I tell the truth, or do I lie about it or keep it in?’ and I just said it.”
It was a huge burden to first discuss the abuse, Bartko said, but after returning to Fresno, it became much easier. Talking about the molestations has been therapeutic, he said, whether it is with counselors or people at the grocery store.
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