PENNSYLVANIA
PennLive
By Steve Marroni | smarroni@pennlive.com
It’s difficult for a victim to come forward.
And while it might be the toughest thing in the world for someone to do, reporting the sexual abuse of clergy to the authorities can help prevent other young people from being victimized.
That’s part of the message state Attorney General Kathleen Kane relayed from a grand jury investigation into hundreds of cases of children being sexually abused and raped by more than 50 Roman Catholic priests and religious leaders in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown over 40 years.
And that’s also what an attorney who represented a Jerry Sandusky victim, as well as other children in other clergy sexual abuse cases, had to say following Kane’s announcement on Tuesday in Blair County.
“The advice I would have is to come forward to help prevent this despicable behavior from victimizing other people who are younger or more vulnerable,” said attorney Michael Boni.
And David Clohessy, director of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, is hoping this will encourage anyone who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes to come forward, as well.
But from working with many victims over the years, both know this is no easy task.
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