JOHNSTOWN, CAMBRIA COUNTY--- SNAP, The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests is urging the alleged victims of Brother Stephen Baker to step forward to police.
"Victims feel like they're alone they always feel like they're the only ones," said Judy Jones, SNAP Associate Director. "Once they know they're not... that helps them have the courage to speak up and come forward."
Jones spoke in Johnstown Wednesday morning outside the Public Safety Building. She said she wanted to let others know it's OK to come forward.
'My brother and several of my family members were abused by our parish priest back in Ohio growing up," said Jones. "It's why I work for SNAP and I why I am here today."
Brother Stephen Baker taught at Bishop McCort in Johnstown for nearly a decade during the early 1990's- 2000's. 15 of his former students have stepped forward claiming they were sexually abused by him.
"I would encourage anyone who may be a victim to come forward and reach out to the Johnstown Police Department," said District Attorney Kelly Callihan. "Once they come forward there will be an evaluation to determine if we can move forward criminally."
Callihan said each case is different and will depend on when the alleged abuse took place before charges could be filed.
"This is a personal decision for each victim to decide on what they feel is right for them and their family to come forward," said Callihan.
No charges have been filed against Baker. 11 men settled in Ohio of undisclosed terms last week with another Dioceses Baker belonged too before moving to the Altoona-Johnstown area.
Anyone who believes they are a victim is asked to call the Johnstown Police Department 1-800-281-1680 or 814-533-2080.
"Victims feel like they're alone they always feel like they're the only ones," said Judy Jones, SNAP Associate Director. "Once they know they're not... that helps them have the courage to speak up and come forward."
Jones spoke in Johnstown Wednesday morning outside the Public Safety Building. She said she wanted to let others know it's OK to come forward.
'My brother and several of my family members were abused by our parish priest back in Ohio growing up," said Jones. "It's why I work for SNAP and I why I am here today."
Brother Stephen Baker taught at Bishop McCort in Johnstown for nearly a decade during the early 1990's- 2000's. 15 of his former students have stepped forward claiming they were sexually abused by him.
"I would encourage anyone who may be a victim to come forward and reach out to the Johnstown Police Department," said District Attorney Kelly Callihan. "Once they come forward there will be an evaluation to determine if we can move forward criminally."
Callihan said each case is different and will depend on when the alleged abuse took place before charges could be filed.
"This is a personal decision for each victim to decide on what they feel is right for them and their family to come forward," said Callihan.
No charges have been filed against Baker. 11 men settled in Ohio of undisclosed terms last week with another Dioceses Baker belonged too before moving to the Altoona-Johnstown area.
Anyone who believes they are a victim is asked to call the Johnstown Police Department 1-800-281-1680 or 814-533-2080.
Comments
It is extremely rare that a child predator has only one or two victims. some have many. Hopefully anyone who has knowledge or may have been harmed by Brother Stephen Baker, will have the courage to come forward and contact the "police", not the church officials. They are not the proper officials to be investigating child sex crimes..
Also keep in mind your silence only hurts, and by speaking up there is a chance for healing, exposing the truth, and therefore protecting others.
Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, 636-433-2511, snapjudy@gmail.com,
"SNAP (The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests)
Judy J.
January 24, 2013 at 2:38 pm
