Parents Whose children have been sexually abused Community Group
This group is for parents whose children have been sexually abused. We welcome both Mothers and Fathers. Here, we can offer support to one another. We can vent, cry and lift each other up. No condemning or criticizing allowed. We are here for support. We LOVE (((HUGS))) !
The monster that abused my children is being punished by the maximum allowed. For this I am glad. That monster was my father in law, my husband's father, my children's grandfather. We have lost and entire half of our family. for this I mourn.
http://kimt.com/2015/07/24/john-lusk-sentenced-to-50-years-on-two-counts-of-sexual-abuse/
UPDATE – Victims statements tug on heartstrings as John Lusk is sentenced for sexually abusing two children on two separate occasions.
The 74-year-old Charles City native was sentenced to a maximum of 25 years in jail for each count of second-degree sexual abuse.
They’ve faced their abuser once before in court and that was enough for the victims of John Lusk who did not appear in court on Friday.
“I do not want to do this again. Please, I don’t want to go to court again,” read one statement from one of the young victims.
In the Floyd County courthouse, their statements are being read by Sonya Sellmeyer an investigator with the Iowa Department of Justice and Erin Meyers of Crisis Intervention Services.
Their words however, left a lasting impression on everyone in the courtroom including those there to support Lusk.
“I felt happy because I finally told someone about what happened. When I got to school, I was very afraid that people would ask me a lot of questions,” said the child victim.
In May, Lusk was convicted of two counts of second-degree sexual abuse for having inappropriate contact with these two minors on separate occasions.
During the trial, one victim took the stand saying that one evening back in 2010, Lusk approached her as she struggled to fall asleep. She says Lusk asked her if he could rub her back, and according to Lusk, they agreed. Lusk then began rubbing her back, but would soon place his hands in between her legs, allegedly coming in contact with her private parts.
When confronted about the allegation on the stand, Lusk says he was simply trying to help the child fall asleep and anything else that may have happened was a simple misunderstanding.
Another child spoke to jurors about his encounter with Lusk. The boy accused Lusk of touching him inappropriately while the two were around other adults.
According to prosecutors, it was only after one victim heard of the allegations from another that they found the courage to come forward.
In a written statement, parents describe the anger and pain they still feel over the man they trusted.
“The impact of knowing that someone you love and trust hurt your child is beyond words. Suddenly my promise to my child to protect him from harm crumbled,” said the parent of the victim.
Despite the pain they’ve endured, the children managed to make one request for Judge DeDra Schroeder that surprised some.
“I suggest that he spend six years in jail because four years seems too short and eight years seems too long,” said the child victim.
Before Schroeder would make her decision, defense attorney Susan Flander spoke on behalf of her client pleading with the judge to avoid the maximum sentence for something more feasible.
She says having the two sentences run consecutively would force the 74-year-old to likely spend the rest of his life in jail before parole is even a possibility. In her opinion, consecutive sentences would be considered cruel and unusual punishment under these circumstances.
Judge Schroeder denied the request and sentenced Lusk to serve his time with consecutive sentences.
“They are separate and distinct offense. They are separate and distinct families and they are separate and distinct victims that occurred at two different occasions,” said Schroeder.
Lusk will serve a mandatory 17 and a half-year sentence for each charge of sexual abuse, before he’s eligible for parole. Lusk has 30 days to appeal his sentence.
KIMT News 3 – 74-year-old John Lusk has been sentenced to up to 25 years for each charge of sexual abuse in the second-degree.
Before Lusk was sentenced however, he heard from the two young children who accused him of sexually abusing them several years back.
Lusk chose not to give a rebuttal for the statements that were made. The victims were not actually in courtroom to see Lusk, but their statements still left an impression.
Victims services read the statements on behalf of the victims and their families. Lusk was convicted on those two sexual abuse charges in May.
Judge Dedra Schroeder took all the statements into consideration before reaching her decision and sentencing Lusk to 25 years consecutively for each charge.
Each sentence will hold a minimum of 17 years before the possibility of parole.
We’ll have more on this trial tonight on KIMT News 3.
http://kimt.com/2015/07/24/john-lusk-sentenced-to-50-years-on-two-counts-of-sexual-abuse/
UPDATE – Victims statements tug on heartstrings as John Lusk is sentenced for sexually abusing two children on two separate occasions.
The 74-year-old Charles City native was sentenced to a maximum of 25 years in jail for each count of second-degree sexual abuse.
They’ve faced their abuser once before in court and that was enough for the victims of John Lusk who did not appear in court on Friday.
“I do not want to do this again. Please, I don’t want to go to court again,” read one statement from one of the young victims.
In the Floyd County courthouse, their statements are being read by Sonya Sellmeyer an investigator with the Iowa Department of Justice and Erin Meyers of Crisis Intervention Services.
Their words however, left a lasting impression on everyone in the courtroom including those there to support Lusk.
“I felt happy because I finally told someone about what happened. When I got to school, I was very afraid that people would ask me a lot of questions,” said the child victim.
In May, Lusk was convicted of two counts of second-degree sexual abuse for having inappropriate contact with these two minors on separate occasions.
During the trial, one victim took the stand saying that one evening back in 2010, Lusk approached her as she struggled to fall asleep. She says Lusk asked her if he could rub her back, and according to Lusk, they agreed. Lusk then began rubbing her back, but would soon place his hands in between her legs, allegedly coming in contact with her private parts.
When confronted about the allegation on the stand, Lusk says he was simply trying to help the child fall asleep and anything else that may have happened was a simple misunderstanding.
Another child spoke to jurors about his encounter with Lusk. The boy accused Lusk of touching him inappropriately while the two were around other adults.
According to prosecutors, it was only after one victim heard of the allegations from another that they found the courage to come forward.
In a written statement, parents describe the anger and pain they still feel over the man they trusted.
“The impact of knowing that someone you love and trust hurt your child is beyond words. Suddenly my promise to my child to protect him from harm crumbled,” said the parent of the victim.
Despite the pain they’ve endured, the children managed to make one request for Judge DeDra Schroeder that surprised some.
“I suggest that he spend six years in jail because four years seems too short and eight years seems too long,” said the child victim.
Before Schroeder would make her decision, defense attorney Susan Flander spoke on behalf of her client pleading with the judge to avoid the maximum sentence for something more feasible.
She says having the two sentences run consecutively would force the 74-year-old to likely spend the rest of his life in jail before parole is even a possibility. In her opinion, consecutive sentences would be considered cruel and unusual punishment under these circumstances.
Judge Schroeder denied the request and sentenced Lusk to serve his time with consecutive sentences.
“They are separate and distinct offense. They are separate and distinct families and they are separate and distinct victims that occurred at two different occasions,” said Schroeder.
Lusk will serve a mandatory 17 and a half-year sentence for each charge of sexual abuse, before he’s eligible for parole. Lusk has 30 days to appeal his sentence.
KIMT News 3 – 74-year-old John Lusk has been sentenced to up to 25 years for each charge of sexual abuse in the second-degree.
Before Lusk was sentenced however, he heard from the two young children who accused him of sexually abusing them several years back.
Lusk chose not to give a rebuttal for the statements that were made. The victims were not actually in courtroom to see Lusk, but their statements still left an impression.
Victims services read the statements on behalf of the victims and their families. Lusk was convicted on those two sexual abuse charges in May.
Judge Dedra Schroeder took all the statements into consideration before reaching her decision and sentencing Lusk to 25 years consecutively for each charge.
Each sentence will hold a minimum of 17 years before the possibility of parole.
We’ll have more on this trial tonight on KIMT News 3.
cathymathy
And our perpetrator received 9 months....i personally do not feel a loss of family if they were not on our side. It did take years to get there however if you realize the residual cloud that would always be there when around them you will understand how life is easier to move on from. Peace and happiness...you received justice!
mobley4100
I understand completely and mourn the loss of my family too. I have lost a sister (who is related on both me and my huband's side) and brother-in-law (who is my husband's uncle), 2 nieces and 2 nephews as well as great nieces and nephews. We have made the decision to move from the area (I do hate leaving my mother who has been wonderful), and feel as though a weight has been lifted from my shoulders (we are entertaining several offers on our home - which happened very suddenly). Know in time that you and your family will heal, and glad that justice has been served.
Naive1
I'm so sorry for your loss. My daughter's abuser is still out there enjoying a life of prestige, has never been arrested, and may still be violently raping little girls and boys. While your victory isn't sweet, I celebrate that justice sometimes prevails. I hope you can find some peace in that, too.
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