Following Priest Arrest, Advocates for the Sexually Abused Share Insight on What Signs to Look for

By Roxanne Elias
WTOL
August 19, 2020

https://www.wtol.com/article/news/local/following-priest-arrest-advocates-for-the-sexually-abused-share-insight-on-what-signs-to-look-for/512-9f050d09-9d4c-4e30-9037-54533bb66ff4

According to the experts, 93 percent of child sexual assault victims know the perpetrator.

Following the arrest of a Findlay priest, advocates of sexually abused victims are shedding light on how sexual abuse can happen to some of your most vulnerable loved ones.

"It's shocking that in 2020 we're still here with a clergy sexual abuse crisis in this country," said Claudia Vercelloti.

For more than 20 years, Vercelloti been a spokesperson and volunteer with the Ohio Survivors Network of those abused by priests, also known as SNAP.

Vercelloti says she's relieved to learn the FBI is spearheading an investigation following the arrest of Findlay pastor Michael Zacharias, who is facing federal sex trafficking of a minor charges.

Her organization is now helping victims on the road to recovery.

"Later it may be easier to say, 'why didn't you just ask for help?' But to realize when you're in the middle, it's very difficult. And you're feeling all sorts of different emotions that makes it really hard to make a rational choice to speak up," said Dr. Victoria Kelly, the Vice Chair of Education in the Department of psychiatry at the University of Toledo.