NH--Group praises victim who’s revealing her identity in NH case

By David Clohessy
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
August 30, 2016

http://www.snapnetwork.org/nh_group_praises_victim_who_s_revealing_her_identity_in_nh_case

We applaud the courage and compassion of Chessy Prout, the brave victim of a sexual assault at St. Paul’s school in Concord by Owen Labrie, who is revealing her identity today. Her bravery will inspire others who have been abused or raped. And we are confident that it will also help her heal.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/st-paul-school-sexual-assault-000000514.html

This smart, strong teenager is absolutely right when she says that none of us who have been assaulted need to “feel ashamed.” The shame belongs entirely on those who hurt us and those who ignored or hid or defended these awful crimes.

As Alcohol Anonymous teaches us, “we’re only as sick as our secrets.” Honesty is usually very healing.

No matter what court officials or school officials do or don’t do, we urge every single person who saw, suspected or suffered sexual violence and cover ups in institutions – especially schools – to protect kids by calling police, get help by calling therapists, expose wrongdoers by calling law enforcement, get justice by calling attorneys, and be comforted by calling support groups like ours. This is how kids will be safer, adults will recover, criminals will be prosecuted, cover ups will be deterred and the truth will surface.