Matthew Sandusky to Speak at Lewisburg Area High School on April 27th
Studies show that as many as one in four girls and one in six boys will experience sexual abuse by the age of 18. Nine out of ten child abuse victims know the abuser. Child sexual abuse can have long-lasting impacts on the victim, including behavior problems, poor school performance, and substance use.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month. Transitions of PA and Susquehanna Valley CASA – Voices for Children have partnered to bring Matthew Sandusky, adopted son of Jerry Sandusky, to the Lewisburg Area High School Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 2016. Matthew will share a message of hope as he talks about his journey of healing to support and encourage others. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. This event is free to the public, but registration is required. Tickets are available by visiting www.transitionsofpa.org.
Matthew is also the author of Undaunted, a biography about breaking his silence to overcome the trauma of child sexual abuse. Undaunted will be available for sale after the event.
Transitions of PA is a crisis center that provides advocacy, empowerment, and education to victims, survivors, families, and communities to end patterns of violence and abuse. Transitions of PA provides safety, education, and advocacy to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other serious crimes in Union, Snyder, and Northumberland Counties.
Susquehanna Valley CASA – Voices for Children’s mission is to assist the Courts in determining what is in the best interest of abused and neglected children whose cases are in the court system. Through objective investigation and observation, with the focus on the child, the assigned CASA volunteers will develop and present their recommendations to the Courts to aid in establishing a safe, permanent and nurturing home in an expeditious manner.
It is important that we all help Matthew take his stand while he is telling his story so close to the place where the abuse happened. Many people have turned against him and are accusing him of lying, only to get the money that was offered to the victims. As a young man who was already confused about the issues of right and wrong, Matthew certainly did not need someone who was going to abuse him sexually and further confuse and conflict his heart and mind. When I try to imagine the choices that he had to make, and the people that he had to leave behind in order to take a stand, I know in my heart that the compensation he received from Penn State does not begin to cover the damage done. I really commend his bravery and courage.
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