ILLINOIS
Patch
By Scott Viau (Patch Staff) – June 27, 2016
One of Dennis Hastert’s sexual abuse victims says the movie “Spotlight” helped him gather the courage to share his story.
Scott Cross spoke during a Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests news conference and award ceremony Sunday in Chicago. Cross said during Dennis Hastert’s sentencing that he was a “key figure in my life, as a coach and a teacher.
“The movie ‘Spotlight” was a very powerful moment for me as I struggled talking to my wife about this,” Cross said in a YouTube video of his speech posted by the Chicago Sun-Times. At the behest of his wife, Cross watched the movie alone, which helped him make the decision to come forward.
Cross said Hastert asking his brother, Illinois Rep. Tom Cross, for a letter of support also was a deciding factor.
“As I had gone into therapy, I had been looking for some thoughts on a sign of what to do. And there were several signs that came to me that said I should come forward,” Cross said.
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