Babeu Says He Was Victim of Priest Abuse, KTAR, March 3, 2011

Babeu Says He Was Victim of Priest Abuse

KTAR
March 3, 2011

http://ktar.com/category/local-news-articles/20110303/Babeu-says-he-was-victim-of-priest-abuse/

[with video]

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, a leader in the fight for border security, says his views were molded when he was sexually assaulted as a child by a Catholic priest.

Babeu recently talked with FOX 10 News' John Hook about his life, which has led to appearances nationwide to discuss illegal immigration and border security.

Watch Hook's interview:

"I was a victim of sexual assault when I was a young boy," Babeu told Hook. "Actually by a priest back in Massachusetts. That was something that had a dramatic impact on my life."

He said the abuse began when he was 11 years old and continued for several years.

Babeu said he learned that being abused "by somebody who is trusted, revered, somebody who represents God, and then having leaders within the church cover it up and lie about it really awakened my sense of truly the world. What's right and what's wrong. How some people who are in positions of great trust and honor sometimes can do bad things."

Babeu said his experiences led him to "always strive to do right" and to see himself as a protector.

He became a victims' rights advocate for those abused by priests. Babeu said he no longer is Catholic, but that he believes in God.

Babeu told Hook that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was once "very, very upset" with him, but the two have mended fences.

He said he is "not going to close the door" on a possible run for higher office and that he believes if he ran, it would be "a very competitive political battle."