Former NFL Player Discusses Impact Of Sexual Abuse
BELLEFONTE (KDKA) -- The trial of Jerry Sandusky has shed light on child sexual abuse.
Former Pitt Panther and NFL football player Al Chesley says he can identify with the alleged victims.
"I was abused at the age of 13 by a DC police officer," he said.
He was in the courtroom Tuesday and listened to the emotional testimony of Victim No. 1.
"He is just beginning to heal," Chesley said. "The more he talks about it, the more he'll heal. So, he's not done crying … but crying is a part of the healing process."
Sandusky met his alleged victims through his charity, the Second Mile.
Victim No. 1 told the jury that people didn't believe him when he talked about being abused because Sandusky was so well-known in the Penn State community.
"Often predators –that's how they operate," Chesley said. "They're in positions of power and this guy was connected with the Second Mile, so he was almost like he had a factory to bring him victims."
Six more victims are expected to take the stand in the coming days, Chesley, now a victim's advocate, praised the boys for their bravery.
"I think the kids' handled it very well," he said. "It is very hard – especially man-on-man abuse. When another man fondles or performs oral sex with a boy, it's especially hard for the boys or the young man to talk about it."
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