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Date published: 9/8/2008
I would like to say a few final words about the conviction of the former Rev. George O. Lowe ["Minister given 5 years on molestation count," Sept. 3]. Someone asked me why I wanted to bring something that happened so long ago back out into the open. The reason is accountability. Now that he has been sentenced to prison, I can finally start to let these wounds heal. The past 20-plus years has been a life I could not let things lie and move on, Before sentencing, Lowe's attorney asked for those who were in the courtroom to please stand to show support for Lowe. I want to know why no one stood for the rights of other children, why no one stood I am happy that justice has prevailed, and Lowe will be where he will not hurt anyone anymore. I hope this case will serve as a warning If there are victims out there of Lowe I'd like to thank the Stafford County Sheriff's Office, Detective Don Lenhart, I would like to also thank the Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault, the Rappahannock Community Service Board, the staff at Virginia Cares, and the Rappahannock Security Center mental health staff for helping me work through I know that one day I will have to forgive Lowe. I will do that in my time and my time only. For now, I am happy that justice has been served. Benjamin Marsh Stafford
No one could fault him if he had chosen to return to the anonymity and normalcy he would enjoy if it weren't for his abuser. Instead, he has put himself out there to be a reminder to the community that sick minds exist everywhere. In doing so, he will undoubtedly help countless others be on guard for undetected abusers, expose those abusers that attempt to prey on the innocent, and inspire those that have been abused to come forward without shame, because the fault lies with the abuser, not them. God bless.
I was also abused for 3 years in my early teens. I turned to drugs to ease the pain. I dropped out of high school to hide my pain. I self inflicted physical pain to overcome the emotional pain. I tried to commit suicide twice in 2 years in a plea for help. No one ever noticed anything other than I was a troubled teenager. What Ben has done should inspire everyone who has ever been abused to step forward and speak out for the victims. I Thank God, my therapist, and my own inner strength for my salvation.
I wish I had been in court that day because I am just bold enough that after that ignorant attorney said that I would have asked that everyone stand who supported Mr. M_arsh and even applaud. Mr. M_arsh gave a lot of victims their life back that day by letting them know it is never to late to seek justice.
I hope his other victims have the courage and strength to come forward. I hope others who have been victimized by other monsters also have the courage,by your example, to tell what happened to them. Don't let this criminal take one more day of your life. Fight your addictions and hold your head up high. You were put on this earth for a purpose and you deserve to reap your rewards! You are a HERO!
Stand up and Show support for this monster? Just because he was a man of the clothe does not mean that he was/is a good person as we have seen so often in the past. Five years is not nearly enough for what he did. Our judicial system really stinks when it comes to protecting victims. Bens years of suffering should of been taken into account as well. There is no excuse for crimes against children. When these monsters spend the remaineder of their days in prison then we provide justice for the victim
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