Jeff Anderson & Associates Client Testimonials
Survivors, In Their Own Words
Every survivor’s story is unique and so is their path to recovery. At Jeff Anderson & Associates we have the honor of witnessing the courage of the survivors we work with, every day. Sharing these inspiring videos is another way that we can remind everyone who has been victimized by child sexual abuse that You Are Not Alone. Whether you chose to stay anonymous and go through your journey as a John or Jane Doe or if you chose to become a visible and vocal advocate in the public sphere, one thing is true no matter what—coming forward with your story makes a difference.
A Message to Other Survivors—Survivor, John Doe 76C
This is the first video in a series of clips featuring Jim Keenan, “John Doe 76c”. Throughout this series, we will highlight Jim’s journey from being a reluctant victim, confronting for the first time the trauma he suffered as a child through his legal, personal, and eventual public journey as a champion for survivors across the country. Because the majority of survivors we work with chose to come forward anonymously and file as a John or Jane Doe, we chose to focus on Jim’s words in this video rather than his face or his identity. No matter how or when you choose to come forward and share your story, your privacy can and will be protected.
If We All Fight Together—Survivor, Fred Marigliano
After decades of internalizing his feelings of pain and shame, courageous sexual abuse survivor and advocate, Fred Marigliano, chose to begin his journey toward healing and recovery. Once he was ready to come forward and share his truth, what Fred needed most was to know that he wasn’t alone and that he would be believed. When he sought out other survivors for their support, Fred found a community to help him move forward in SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests). It didn’t take long before Fred’s courage and unflinching honesty made him a pillar in the New Jersey survivor community and a vocal and public advocate in the legislative push that eventually became the New Jersey Victims’ Rights Bill.
If you are a survivor of sexual abuse by a priest, teacher, coach, or other clergy you are not alone. We stand with you. We believe you.
You Are Not Alone—Survivor, Phil Repaci
When courageous survivor and vocal advocate Phil Repaci first came forward in 2008 and shared his story of being sexually abused as a child, there was no path forward for him in the courts. Phil’s only goal was to shine light on the truth and ensure that what happened to him didn’t happen to other kids. His story is a prime example of the power of one person’s courage and how helping others find their voices can be a big part of the journey to recovery.
It Was Never Your Fault—Survivor, Monica Perez Jimenez
When she was 14 years old, Monica Pérez Jiménez was sexually abused by her teacher, Louis Tambini, at Loyola School in Manhattan. Like so many other survivors of child sexual abuse, Monica suffered for decades in silence and shame, not sure how to share her secret or who she should tell. Eventually, Monica found the courage to share her truth. In 2019, she joined thousands of other survivors across the country and filed a lawsuit over the abuse she suffered. In this video, Monica makes an impassioned plea to other survivors who are still searching to find their voice and the courage to come forward. In Monica’s own words, “It was never your fault… we got you.”
Overcoming Barriers & Owning Your Power
Child predators use shame, secrecy, manipulation, and lies to keep victims silent.
Letting go of that shame takes effort, but it is doable. No matter what a predator did or said to make victims feel ashamed, child sexual abuse is never the victim’s fault.
Survivors can release the shame, leave the shadows behind, and find their voice. When survivors tell their story it helps others to tell theirs. And together, survivors can take their power back, and change the world.
Survivors of sexual abuse need to know they are not alone. Visit our questions and answer pages to explore your options.
Jeff Anderson Has a Piece of My Heart—Survivor, Jim Keenan (John Doe 76C)
In this heartfelt testimonial, survivor and advocate Jim Keenan discusses his emotions surrounding his journey and attorney Jeff Anderson’s part in his recovery. After nearly two decades of fighting his demons and numerous court battles, Jim has gone from a victim with trauma that was jeopardizing his well-being to a vocal advocate and champion for survivors and survivors’ rights. At Jeff Anderson and Associates, we fight for more than just victories in court; we fight to help people improve their lives and connect survivors to a network of advocates and other survivors that spans the entire country.
Why I Came Forward—Survivor, John A140 Doe
Every survivor’s story is different, and every survivor has their own reasons for coming forward. Your story, your journey, and your path to recovery is your own. In this powerful clip, we hope to underscore two important messages, messages that we stress over and over—you are not alone, and you can file a claim anonymously and protect your identity. No matter what path you choose moving forward, we will believe you, and we are here to support you.
Jeff Dion is one of the nation’s leading child protection experts and advocates, as well as the CEO of Zero Abuse Project. Jeff is also a survivor of child sexual abuse with the same struggles and challenges that all survivors face. In this clip, Jeff talks publicly for the very first time about being abused as a Boy Scout.
“I didn’t disclose the abuse to anyone. I was more than willing to buy into the culture of silence because I knew that speaking out would jeopardize my chances of making Eagle (Scout). And that was too important. A few years later, when I heard that he had been arrested for abusing boys in his troop, I didn’t speak out, because I told myself that he was no longer a danger to other scouts. And even after dedicating my career to helping victims and protecting children from abuse, I still did not speak about being sexually abused in scouting, because I was ashamed and I still somehow blamed myself. So I stayed quiet… Until now.” – Jeff Dion, survivor & advocate
Jason Schack – A survivor Details the Abuse He Endured By Monsignor Eugene Fanelli
Jason Schack’s story is both heartbreaking and inspiring. In second grade, on the day of his first communion, Jason was sexually assaulted by his priest, Fr. Eugene Fanelli, who later became a Monsignor. The abuse continued for the duration of his grammar school years until his graduation from 8th grade. The effects on Jason’s life are devastating. Adding insult to injury, his hometown of West New York, NJ, eventually named a street after the alleged child molester. Years later, Jason learned that his father told his mother that he had been sexually abused by Monsignor Fanelli as a child, and that night, Jason’s father died by suicide. In a show of remarkable resilience and tremendous courage, Jason Schack has chosen to tell his story publicly and has demanded that the town of West New York remove the street sign honoring Monsignor Fanelli.
Navigating The Legal Process With Confidence
Civil and criminal laws across the country protect victims of sexual violence, especially when those victims were or are children. Even if the predator is still in your life, you can take measures to continue to protect yourself and your family.
In many states, there are laws that allow survivors of child sex abuse to file lawsuits without disclosing their identity. This protects your privacy and allows you to engage in the civil process in a safe and confidential way.
If you are a survivor of sexual abuse by a priest, teacher, coach, or other clergy you are not alone. We stand with you. We believe you.
Jason Schack, With a Group of Survivors, Demands the Removal of a Street Sign Named After His Abuser
Part two of Jason Schack’s story is a testimony to the courage and resilience of survivors and the strength that comes from taking action and using your voice. Jason’s life was devastated by his childhood priest, Monsignor Eugene Fanelli, who began sexually abusing him the day of his first communion and continued until he left grammar school. Later, he would learn that this very same priest had also abused Jason’s father when he was a child – a contributing factor to his father’s suicide. Making matters worse, Msgr Fanelli is still revered in Jason’s hometown of West New York NJ, and has a local street named after him. Jason isn’t letting any of this stop him from fighting to regain his power and making his truth known. In this short video, we follow Jason as he goes back to his hometown of West New York and demands that both Cardinal Tobin and the City Commissioners remove the street sign honoring a known child predator.
I’m Not The Only One – Survivor, Darryl Bassile
In the 1980s, Darryl Bassile was sexually abused by Father Bruce Ritter at Covenant House, a prominent homeless shelter for youth in New York City. Darryl’s story is both heartbreaking and inspirational. He has struggled with the impact of sexual abuse on his life for over three decades. In August 2019, Darryl was finally able to bring suit against the institutions that failed to protect him when he was a child due to the New York Child Victims Act. In this clip, Darryl shares his thoughts and feelings about this moment in time for himself and other survivors and the growing momentum of the child protection movement.
Supporting Survivors & Changing The World
Many survivors worry that they won’t be believed and blame themselves for what happened. The most important thing you can do is to tell them that you believe them and remind them that what happened to them is not their fault.
Listening without judgment is key. When it comes to healing from sexual abuse there is no timetable, and every survivor is different. Be patient and avoid pressuring them to tell you anything they’re not ready to share.
Empower them to make decisions around their healing and encourage them to seek supportive resources. Offering to accompany them to get a medical exam or make a police report can be helpful but avoid pressuring them into taking steps they are not ready for.
I Don’t Want to Hide Anymore – Survivor, Tom Emens
When Tom Emens was ten years old, his local priest Msgr. Thomas Mohan began sexually abusing him – the abuse lasted for over a year and robbed Tom of his innocence. For decades, he worked to heal those wounds and waited for an opportunity to seek justice and accountability. When he first came forward, Tom was told that the statute of limitations in California prevented him from taking legal action. However, in 2020, Assembly Bill 218, also known as the California Child Victims Act, opened a window for Tom and thousands like him to file a legal claim and the power he lost as a child. Since then, Tom has become a vocal advocate for survivors in California and throughout the nation. One of Tom’s motivations for being so outspoken is that he wants to use his voice and courage so that other survivors know they aren’t alone.
Today I Took My Power Back – Survivor, Aimee Galicia-Torres
Aimee Galicia-Torres was only eight years old when a priest who was also a family friend molested her at an aunt’s house. The sexual abuse went on for four years. In 2020, Aimee filed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Los Angeles under the California Child Victims Act for their negligence in the hiring and supervision of Galicia-Torres’ abuser, Father Honesto Bismonte. By speaking up, Galicia Torres has restored a sense of hope she hadn’t felt in a long time.
“I felt like a huge weight was lifted off me. Finally, my voice was being heard. I want him, my abuser, to know I’m the one doing this to him. I want to take back my power that I lost when he abused me.”
When survivor Tony Marquez was sexually abused as a child by Fr. Sofronio Aranda at Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Habra, California, he became lost and confused. Like many survivors, the effects sexual abuse can have on a child can be disorientating and develop traumatic feelings of shame and guilt. With great courage and persistence, through soul searching and reflection, Tony continued his journey of healing and filed a lawsuit under the historic California Child Victims Act. In this video, Tony elaborates on the power and support he felt coming forward when disclosing the abuse he endured as a child. Through acceptance and peace, Tony was able to reclaim his power, confidence, and realized he has nothing to hide.
You Are Not Alone. We Are Here to Help.
It’s time for justice. It’s time for you to share your story, safely and confidentially. It’s time to lay down your burden and reclaim some of your power. It’s time to expose your perpetrator and make sure what happened to you never happens to another kid. It’s time to take action. Before making a decision concerning such serious and sensitive matters, we encourage all survivors of child sexual abuse to consult with legal counsel before proceeding with a claim. We want to help you find accountability and healing. We will stand by you. We will fight for you.