CINCINNATI — The man who told investigators he was sexually abused by a former pastor decades ago released a letter on Thursday, according to Cincinnati police.
The 41-year-old man, who remains anonymous, told authorities the Rev. Geoffrey Drew, the ex-pastor of St. Ignatius of Loyola, sexually assaulted him between 1988 and 1991 when he was 10 and 11 years old. Drew was employed as a music minister at St. Jude School in Green Township at the time.
Cincinnati Police Department Det. Dana Jones released the man’s letter on Thursday afternoon, saying “he would like his words to be heard.”
Authorities indicted Drew last month on nine counts of rape. The man came forward after Drew was placed on leave in July due to accusations that he sent inappropriate text messages to at least one boy.
The man writes that he wants other survivors of sexual assault to know that they are not alone, that they are loved and worthy and that they can save others with their testimony.
“I have come to the realization that approaching my fears and speaking out about the disgusting events that have transpired, can provide others with a chance not to feel that same pain,” the letter says.
“Speaking up provides others the chance not to cry themselves to sleep. Speaking up provides others the chance not to look in the mirror and wonder if they will be alright. Speaking up provides others the chance to live in a way that I, or you, did NOT get to.”
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said he believes there could be other victims.
"We encourage those who may have incurred this type of abuse to come forward," Deters said.
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, released a statement following Deters' news conference. It reads in part:
"While we are glad that Fr. Drew has been indicted, we cannot help but worry that there are other survivors who have yet to come forward. However, we know that the Archdiocese of Cincinnati had been warned about Fr. Drew’s inappropriate behavior for at least six years without taking action to keep him away from children, so we are afraid that there are others who are suffering in silence. We call on Archbishop Dennis Schnurr to personally visit every parish where Fr. Drew worked or attended and beg others who have information to come forward to police and prosecutors now."
If you or someone you know has any information about Drew, you should contact Cincinnati Police Officer Dana Jones at 513-352-6947.
Read the full letter below:
Letter to Media by WCPO Web Team on Scribd
