Abuse Advocates Pleased With Sandusky And Lynn Verdicts
By Molly Daly
PHILADELPHIA (CBS)- Advocates for the abused are praising the guilty verdicts in the trials of former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, and Philadelphia archdiocesan official Monsignor William Lynn.
David Clohessy, an official at Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), says it's been a long time coming.
"For those of us who've been living with this crisis, for decades and decades and decades, many of us thought that we would see this day, but I think a lot of victims are feeling, finally, some sense of validation, and some real optimism."
Barbara Blaine, also of SNAP, says in the past day alone, new victims have come forward.
Although she doesn't think the verdicts will stop abusers, she hopes those who look the other way get the message.
"I am hoping that those who enable, and cover up for the predators, will stop their behaviors."
Blaine adds that Pennsylvania, as well as other states, need to enable victims of past abuse to seek justice.
