RICHMOND (VA)
NBC 12
[with video]
By Laura Geller
RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) –
The case involving accusations against a local mega-church’s founder continues to get publicity.
Tuesday, an agency, which supports people sexually abused by priests, advocated for Richmond Outreach Center Pastor Geronimo Aguilar’s alleged victims and called for the church board to apologize.
The group met at Richmond Police Headquarters because it says authorities, not the church, are the proper ones to deal with situations like what’s going on with Pastor G right now. SNAP, or the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, representatives say they know this because they’ve been in the victims’ shoes.
Becky Ianni says as a child, she was sexually abused by her priest in Northern Virginia.
“When I came forward with my abuse I was very afraid because many people supported my perpetrator,” she explained. “They thought he was the greatest man ever and I was afraid to come forward because what if I wasn’t believed.”
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