shaken up today..childhood friend goes public with reports of sexual abuse by priest

[Relic]

This is one of my best friends from childhood. It was he, myself and another friend. We spent countless hours trekking through woods, fishing, creating havoc, playing stickball, football, creating ramps so we can jump over crap on our bikes like "Evel Knievel", damn near a perfect childhood, then almost out of nowhere we seemed to have gone different ways. The dude really changed. He went from a happy friendly kid, to a withdrawn, sad, and seeming very angry kid. This at about 13, 14. I never knew why...now I do

Just to repeat his message - pay attention, listen to your kids and be vigilant.
Way to go Otis!
Diocese of Trenton settles priest sex abuse case for $1M with 5 altar boys from Ewing church | NJ.com

[tastybasslines]

They should have to pay for therapy as well.

[fenderhutz]

The settlement was reached in June and contains no admission of guilt or liability on the part of the diocese.

Convenient.

[Relic]

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Convenient.

Yep

[Southpaw5]

makes me sick every time I hear another story like this. it's tragic it happens ever

[Chebass88]

Well, at least the priest is dead. Although a small part of me would be happy to see him alive, put in prison and seriously abused himself.

Sorry to hear this, Relic.

[macaroni tony]

Incredulous these kinds of stories keep popping back up!

Relic, I'm sorry dude. Have you talked to Otis at all in recent years?

[jmattbassplaya]

You'd be surprised how many people you know who have been sexually abused/assaulted before.

[Relic]

Originally Posted by macaroni tony

Incredulous these kinds of stories keep popping back up!

Relic, I'm sorry dude. Have you talked to Otis at all in recent years?

Thanks, Chris.
I honestly have not spoken with him for like 15 years, then not quite a year ago I caught up with him on FB.

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

You'd be surprised how many people you know who have been sexually abused/assaulted before.

I definitely agree with that.

[RosieB]

So sorry Relic. It's upsetting enough when you hear about stuff like this happening, especially having kids that age, but when it's someone you were close to and knew at the time? I couldn't imagine. My prayers are with you both.

[Relic]

Originally Posted by RosieB

So sorry Relic. It's upsetting enough when you hear about stuff like this happening, especially having kids that age, but when it's someone you were close to and knew at the time? I couldn't imagine. My prayers are with you both.

I'm OK Rosie, thanks. I just feel bad for my friend.
It's astounding at how this sort of thing can just rip a person apart inside damn near to the core, yet at the same time they hold it in to where it just festers and potentially ruins their lives. Wow, talk about stolen innocence..
I know him though, he's a strong dude, he'll be ok.

My point with this thread is to just repeat his message - if his going public helps anyone else; gets more attention and forces the folks responsible to face up to their guilt, and prevents this from happening to someone, then it's worth it.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Relic

My point with this thread is to just repeat his message - if his going public helps anyone else; gets more attention and forces the folks responsible to face up to their guilt, and prevents this from happening to someone, then it's worth it.

Definitely.

[Quickie]

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Convenient.

Yes, but in my experience with any type of settlement, there is usually that clause involved.

Deny, deny, deny.

To the OP, I hope everything works out for your friend.

[macaroni tony]

Originally Posted by Relic

My point with this thread is to just repeat his message - if his going public helps anyone else; gets more attention and forces the folks responsible to face up to their guilt, and prevents this from happening to someone, then it's worth it.

Indeed

[MonetBass]

Through my son's school, my wife and I were required to complete VIRTUS training if we wanted to accompany the kids on outings. The program is designed to protect children from situations such as your friend's. What we learned is that abuse victims often blame themselves, or are scared that they'll get in trouble if they report it. The abusers are often smart and methodical, gaining the child's trust prior to the abuse so that the child will not blame the abuser.

Recently a former co-worker of mine was arrested trying to flee the country after it was discovered that he had been sexually abusing his foster kids for years. He always organized an annual United Way Day of Caring work day at one of the elementary schools in a low-income area of Tulsa. Looking back, I noticed some signs that should have tipped me off as to his behavior.

We can all help protect children by looking for these signs, removing the children (if possible) from those situations and notifiying the proper authorities. It's horrible what these people have done and are possibly still doing.

[MakiSupaStar]

Sad indeed. Good for him for standing up to the bastard. I wish him a peaceful life with his newfound wealth.

[Strohsx]

Why he is not being publicly hanged?

[fenderhutz]

Originally Posted by Strohsx

Why he is not being publicly hanged?

I don't think they could properly string up a set of bones at this point.