ALBANY (NY)
Albany Times-Union
October 19, 2019
Recently, we shared with Paul Grondahl our story of child sexual violation and trauma by Francis P. Melfe, a pastor employed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. We made the difficult decision to use our real names, and share intimate details of our abuse, because we wanted to openly acknowledge the trauma and pain that keeps so many silent — and had kept us silent.
Our family’s mission from the start has been truth and accountability. By breaking our silence, we hope to change the future for generations ahead. We have confidence in the spirit of justice established by the state’s Child Victims Act and the early messages of support from the church recognizing their failures in protecting children.
We are humbled, strengthened, and grateful for the care, interest and support from our communities. We wish this for all survivors. Survivors need empathy, compassion and kindness as they step into the light of truth and justice. For many, their journey has been long and painful. Research has shown that most child sexual abuse survivors tell their story for the first time between the ages of 45-65.
We must do better to create safe spaces for survivors to tell their stories, access resources and help communities learn how to prevent, treat and mitigate child sexual abuse. Our community has an unprecedented opportunity to learn from survivors how to best keep children safe, healthy and happy within institutions charged with their care.
Robert Steve, Sandra Sculli, JoAnn Stevelos, John Steve and David Melfe
Albany
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