Following the Penn State debacle has certainly brought up memories of what happened to each of us at the hands of Neville Davis. And most of us can relate to the quote below from a victim's attorney. I know I thought I was the only one until almost 35 years later when John and I finally spoke about it.
"This kid suffered in secrecy and in silence and shame thinking he was the only one and never told a soul until the revelations came out about other kids and a coverup," Mr. Anderson said. "That's what caused him to come forward and break the silence."
In a statement released by Mr. Anderson, the plaintiff said he had never told anyone about being abused by Mr. Sandusky "until the newspapers reported that he had abused other kids." He said, "I am hurting and have been for a long time because of what happened but feel now even more tormented that I have learned that so many other kids were abused after me."
And More of Us Keep Appearing
About a month ago, I was contacted by two other men, both of whom I knew as acquaintances when I was being abused. And, yes, both of them reported a similar experience. Or worse.
The Sandusky / Penn State affair reminds me of how many kids are victimized and remain silent. And how many adults just cannot believe that people within the circle of trust are usually the perpetrators. All the cautions about strangers miss the point entirely. Perpetrators are almost always trusted members of the community, skillfully using their position to seduce and silence the kids while blinding parents and other responsible adults. Denial is also, of course, useful camouflage.
