Helping Victims SNAP starts Chapter in West Virginia
Reported by: Meredith Wood
Videographer: Jerry Criner
Web Producer: Meredith Wood
Reported: Oct. 12, 2009 6:23 PM EDT
Eyewitness News Photo
For David Mullins, it took about 15 years to come forward and finally be able to talk about the sexual abuse he says happened during his teenage years. "We are 30 year old men but this is something that has affected us our whole lives."
Mullins says Shrewsbury Church of God Pastor Sandy Cook abused him but because of a technicality the case never went to trial. A jury did convict Cook for sexually abusing three others in February; now he could spend 60 years in prison.
David Mullins, "While my charges were dropped, I have that sense of closure. I hope other victims will find that closure too."
Mullins says the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests was there for him during Cook's trial, now SNAP wants to help other victims in the West Virginia.
Judy Jones, SNAP, "So that they don't feel like they are weird or alone or that this is their fault, because it's not."
Cynthia Falter-Marquez says coping with abuse is not easy, and through SNAP survivors realize they aren't alone. "I have to do what I can. It's humiliating but I don't care. My biggest fear is that this will continue to happen to children and I can't bear the thought that it happened to one more child."
For more information on SNAP log on to www.snapnetwork.org or www.wheeling-charlestontruth.org
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