Sex Abuse Victim Sports Stars Honored at Baseball Game: Team Recognizes Their Work for Chlid Sex Abuse Awareness and Prevention
http://sol-reform.com/images/SNAP-DE-Baseball-Event-June10.pdf
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
Sex Abuse Victim Sport Stars Honored at Baseball Game
Team Recognizes Their Work for Child Sex Abuse Awareness and Prevention
Former Philly Eagle and TNA Pro Wrestler Will Throw Out First Pitch
They Will Also Sign Autographs, Meet Fans
Use Delaware’s Civil Window to Protect Kids – Before It’s Too Late, They Ask Attendees,
Victims
What:
At a Wilmington Blue Rocks Baseball game, two sport stars who are also victims of
childhood sexual abuse will throw out the first ceremonial pitch and sign autographs for
fans. Both men are being honored for their work for victims of child sex abuse and for
raising awareness for Delaware’s Child Victims’ Act.
Where:
Wilmington’s Frawley Stadium
801 Shipyard Drive (at Madison), Wilmington DE
When:
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Ceremony begins at 6:30 pm
Game starts at 7:05
Who:
Al Chesley, former Philadelphia Eagles Football Star and
Pat Kenney, also known as Simon Diamond, former ECW TNA professional wrestler
Both men are victims of childhood sexual abuse and members of a support group called
SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. SNAPnetwork.org
Why:
In July 2009, Delaware’s landmark child protection law, the Child Victims’ Act, will expire.
The law, which provides a two-year “civil window,” allows victims of child sexual abuse to
come forward and seek justice and accountability, no matter when they were abused.
Since the window opened in 2007, numerous predators across the country have been
exposed, removed from ministry or jobs with children, and communities have been warned
about the threat these men pose.
Al Chesley, former Philadelphia Eagle, and former TNA wrestler Pat Kenney (AKA Simon
Diamond) are being honored by the Wilmington Blue Rocks for their work in raising
awareness about child sexual abuse and the importance of coming forward and seeking
justice through laws like Delaware’s civil window. Both men are encouraging all victims of
child sex abuse in Delaware to protect kids and take advantage of the law before it
expires.
Chelsey, who was sexually abused by a Washington D.C. police officer, has traveled the
country speaking about his abuse, testifying in front of legislators, and working with the
media to encourage victims to report abuse.
Kenney, who recently filed a lawsuit under Delaware’s civil window, was sexually abused
at Wilmington’s Salesianum High School by Denis Killion, an priest who was only exposed
and removed from ministry in schools after 11 men came forward and filed lawsuits using
Delaware’s Child Victims’ Act. Killion’s order had known about credible allegations of
abuse against Killion for more than a decade, but did not take him out of schools until
victims had the right to use the civil court system to name their abuser.
Chesley and Kenney will throw out a ceremonial first pitch before the game. They will also
sign autographs and take pictures with fans. Informational materials about the Child
Victims’ Act will also be available.
Contact:
Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, California, SNAP SW Regional Director, (949) 322-7434
David Clohessy of St. Louis, MO, SNAP National Director, (314) 566-9790
Barb Dorris of St. Louis MO, SNAP Outreach Director, (314) 503-0003