I was sexually assaulted as a Boy Scout and won’t stay anonymous because I want to help others

NEWARK (NJ)
Star Ledger

March 27, 2019

By Michael Mautone

I am the first known victim of priest Kevin Gugliotta. I am no longer Mr. X. My name is Michael Mautone.

In the past I have come forward anonymously to report the assault by Gugliotta and speak out against the church’s failure to protect others from him. Today, I go public for many reasons. First and foremost I stand in support of all victims to encourage them to come forward … not necessarily go public as I am doing today … to come forward and report the crimes of your abusers.

I stand in support of change to systems and organizations that failed to address this issue and instead allowed perpetrators to repeat their offenses. I stand to hold accountable those in power who directly took action or inaction in a choice to protect abusers over a choice to protect children and young adults. And I stand to finally hold accountable Kevin Gugliotta for his crimes against me and others.

I am deeply pained and saddened by the recent news that another victim has come forward to report being assaulted by Kevin. In 2003, I filed a complaint with the Newark Archdiocese alleging that Gugliotta had abused me in the 1980s when he was a Boy Scout leader. He later became a priest.

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