Support groups for sexual abuse survivors issued statements Friday night after former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was found guilty on 45 counts of child sex abuse.
The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center released a joint statement saying they believe it is a verdict that is “just.”
“We thank the prosecutors for their diligence in seeking justice, and also the many members of the press who provided thorough coverage without printing the names of the victims in this case.
“PCAR commends the victims who courageously testified and told their painful stories after years of harboring the burden of Sandusky’s abuse. Their testimony will ensure that Sandusky will not harm another child.
“However, justice in the criminal courtroom does not mean that the healing process for Sandusky’s victims is complete. Far from it. A conviction does not heal the pain of sexual abuse.
“Survivors must manage the impact of the abuse throughout their lifetime. Some move beyond it, while others struggle.
“We urge community members to continue to support not only the victims of Sandusky who have come forward, but all survivors of sexual abuse. We urge you to believe your son or daughter or friend when they speak of abuse. And we urge you to trust your gut if you believe an adult may be harming a child.
“Throughout this trial, we heard stories of how a powerful and often admired former football coach used his position to 'groom' his victims with attention, a family environment, and gifts like trips to bowl games and access to Penn State players.
“We heard many instances where Sandusky’s suspicious behavior raised red flags among bystanders who chose to disregard his actions and their own sixth sense that there was a problem. They wanted to believe the façade Jerry Sandusky created to hide his crimes. They did not want to think he could commit such egregious acts.
“But he could. And he did.
“His actions are not unique. They are common practices among people who sexually abuse.
“This trial garnered national and international attention because of the notoriety of Penn State football and Sandusky’s legacy as a championship coach. But there are children being abused by adults throughout Pennsylvania and the country, and they deserve the same level of outrage.
“We hope that the national outcry to this case empowers others to come forward and pursue their own paths to healing and justice. We also hope this case serves as a catalyst for parents, relatives, friends and others to learn to recognize and respond to offender behaviors, and to report suspected abuse.”
MaleSurvivor Executive Director Christopher Anderson also released a statement following the verdict in the Sandusky trial as well as the guilty verdict found in the Monsignor William Lynn trial in Philadelphia.
Lynn, of the Philadelphia Archdiocese, was found guilty Friday of child endangerment and covering it up, as some of the priests had been charged with sexually abusing children. Lynn is the first U.S. church official to be found guilty of covering up sexual abuse.
Anderson said in the statement saying the organization, “along with all survivors of sexual abuse, applaud these decisions.”
“We also thank the jury members for their service. Charged with a difficult task they were attentive through the trials and careful in their deliberations. In addition the prosecution teams, and law enforcement personnel in Philadelphia and Bellefonte are to be commended for bringing these cases to trial. Abuse cases are often difficult to prosecute, and all of those who had a hand in bringing these cases deserve our thanks.
"A trial is but one step on a much longer journey. The courtroom is a place for justice, not for healing. For some survivors, bringing the people who have harmed them to account in court can be a piece of that healing. Many others will never have that opportunity or will not succeed in their efforts. But all survivors can heal. This verdict merely ends one chapter of a much longer story that will take years to write.
“As each survivor who took the stand against Sandusky and Lynn begin their next chapters, they can take pride in knowing that their courage has helped thousands and thousands of victims begin to become survivors. Studies show nearly 20% of males are victims of sexual abuse, and most have never spoken up. Today, the wall of silence is finally beginning to crack. Organizations like MaleSurvivor.org have been flooded with emails and inquiries from survivors who know that they are not alone.
“Abuse thrives on shadows, secrecy, and silence. When those who have been silenced begin to speak, we all begin to heal. Each man’s testimony resonated with raw emotional power, ripping the covers off of an ugly wound society has permitted to fester. It is both shocking and deeply unsettling to have our collective pain so brutally exposed. Only by exposing the ugly truth that we can begin a healing process that will help us all.”
