June 19, 2012

Bellefonte, PA - My name is Christopher Anderson, I am the Executive Director of MaleSurvivor, and I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. MaleSurvivor is a national organization that provides support and healing resources for male survivors of sexual abuse and their loved ones.

MaleSurvivor has been in Bellefonte since the trial began last week to express our support of the heroic victims who have bravely taken the stand in this trial. We hope to ensure that we keep them, and not the defendant, as the real heart of this story. On behalf of the millions of survivors who cannot hold those who have harmed them legally accountable, I say thank you to each of these heroes.

Sexual abuse is a silent epidemic that impacts our entire society.Nearly 20 percent of males are abuse survivors. The harms caused by abuse reach into the lives of every person in our society. Further, there is no part of our society, no institution that is immune, for example: Penn State, the Citadel, Syracuse University, Horace Mann, the Delbarton School, Miramonte, PS 87, public schools in almost every state in our country, The Boy Scouts, The Mormon Church, the Catholic Church; these are just the tip of the iceberg. Our society has tolerated and permitted abuse to thrive in the shadows of silence created by our communal fear of speaking out. We have lacked protection and support of the most vulnerable among us.

We have heard the defense try to mount a case this week to counter the compelling testimony of 8 heroic young men. It is telling that their best attempts rest upon trying to discredit these heroes and trying to justify what everyone instinctively feels is wrong. Character witnesses have asserted it is normal, appropriate, and common for adults to shower naked with prepubescent boys and girls. Further they have tried to attack the motives of these courageous young men by asserting that they have one motivation, and one only - money.

That is not true. I am here to tell you, there is one thing that survivors want. We want to heal. All the money in the world could never be adequate compensation for what was taken from us.

We want and need to be heard. When silence is golden, abuse thrives. The young men who took the stand to speak their truth are an inspiration to millions who have suffered in silence.

Whatever happens in this trial, it is important to remember that the courtroom is a place for justice, not healing. These brave young men will continue to need support to heal from the trauma they have experienced and re-experienced throughout the course of this case.

MaleSurvivor is partnering with community organizations like Voices4Victims , the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape , the Centre County Women's Resource Center, the Counseling and Psychological Services staff at Penn State, and members of the student body itself to bring healing and support to the victims of this horrible tragedy and to others in need.

MaleSurvivor and our partners know it is possible for every survivor to heal; however it requires the support of our families, our communities and our friends.

Today, character witness Jack Willlenbrock testified that as a Christian, he did not want to listen to these allegations. What Christian can stand with integrity in his/her faith and turn away fromchildren who have been raped? This attitude of willful blindness is precisely why abuse thrives in our homes, schools, churches and communities. The institutions that harbor abuse cannot be relied upon to implement the changes needed to protect victims. There is only one person in this society that has the power to end abuse. The victim.

But, to do so survivors must be empowered by the support of their communities. We need laws that enable victims to be able to hold those who have harmed them accountable; we need to encourage those who have been harmed to come forward; and we need institutions to work with MaleSurvivor and our partner organizations in communities all across the country to implement the policies and procedures needed to protect those who are currently being abused.

We need to support those who have already been harmed as they attempt to heal. We need to stop blaming the victims and start holding the bullies, molesters, and abusers who harm them and who tear our communities apart accountable for their actions. By doing so, not only we will help the victims heal, we will also help heal the rifts within our own society.

Christopher Anderson
Executive Director, MaleSurvivor

canderson@malesurvivor.org
917-524-8934