Fresno State Athletic Director Share Story of Sexual Abuse

By Eric Luttrell
Your Central Valley
April 6, 2017

http://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/fresno-state-athletic-director-share-story-of-sexual-abuse/687707211

[with video]

Fresno State Athletic director Jim Bartko is sharing his own story of childhood sexual abuse. Bartko is speaking at a "sexual assault awareness month" event. It's his first public appearance since he spoke with the media back in january.

Bartko sat down with Eyewitness News before he took the stage. He told us he'll be talking about his guilt, and what suppressing those feelings did to him. Bartko did seek help, something he says, he'll be urging the students to do.Bartko's own story has already resonated with many. He says, he still gets letters from around the country.

Bartko says, he was abused by a childhood priest and coach at age 7. He says that abuse continued two years. The Priest involved was based out of oakland and was convicted and served time for lewd and lascivious acts. Still, Bartko says the guilt and shame stayed with him, for 44 years. " Hopefully people can say, if he can talk about it, we can talk about it and hopefully it will save someone and their emotions, whether it's sexual assault, rape, what I went through with the priest, or whatever it might be, hopefully, there's all different forms of it, and tonight it's all about that, and that's what it should be about", according to Bartko.

The other keynote is another male speaker with the organization "campus speak," which aims to help college students across the nation. Student organizers say they hope the two men bring different perspectives on abuse.

This story will be updated.