TV anchor: I was sexually abused by Catholic priest

[rebel with a cause]

POSTED: 12:55 p.m. EDT, March 12, 2007

By Thomas Roberts
CNN

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- I became a victim of sexual abuse at the age of 14; the abuse lasted three years. It took me nearly 20 years to gather the strength to help put my abuser behind bars. Now, a year after "justice" was done, I am ready to tell my story publicly in ways I never have before.

My abuser was Father Jeff Toohey, a trusted man of God. He was the equivalent of a religious celebrity in my private all-boys Catholic school in Baltimore, Maryland. Father Jeff was every boy's friend and mentor. I considered him my mentor as well.

When my parents divorced, I was sent to Father Jeff to help me cope with all the changes. Divorce in the mid-1980s still seemed so foreign. Plus, I was just a kid, and I didn't know much about divorce. I just knew it sucked.

<snip>

Together, we were strong enough to see our abuser finally admit his crimes. Father Jeff was charged with 10 criminal counts of child sexual abuse in relation to my case. He asked for a plea and admitted his guilt in court. He was sentenced to five years in jail but only served 10 months. He was released early to serve eight months in home detention.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/03/09/roberts.btsc/index.html

This is an interesting take from the abused point of view and how the religion actually enables the abuser to have more access to the youth. One line was especially interesting to me, and I wonder how many abused children can say this same thing. ""This too shall pass" is one of my favorite religious sayings." I have said this same thing during hard times ever since I used it to endure childhood beatings.

[yardwork]

1. This is heartbreaking

This man's story puts a personal face on rape and sexual abuse. Read what it does to victims.