Recently, former hockey coach Graham James was sentenced to two years in prison for the sexual abuse of two young hockey players.  A third charge was dropped as part of the plea bargain.  The man whose charge was dropped wrote a victim impact statement for the purposes of sentencing.  The story he tells is one that I’ve heard repeatedly as a therapist working with adults who were sexually abused as children.  It’s well worth reading if you want to understand the impact that sexual abuse has on children or if you were sexually abused as a child and you feel alone in your struggle.

If Graham James had murdered his victims, he would have received a life sentence.  Because he abused them, they’re the ones serving the life sentences.