News & Views

It's hard to think of the stomach-turning Jerry Sandusky case as having a silver lining of any sort. The best we've allowed ourselves to hope for is for more victims of sexual predators to speak up as a result of the verdict, even those who were forced to stay silent for years. And it would seem that very thing is beginning to happen. After 23 years, Kelley Currin has finally come forward about the years of sexual abuse she suffered as a teen at the hands of her former mentor, highly-regarded Washington-area swimming coach Rick Curl ... and how he paid her family $150,000 to keep quiet.

According to Currin, Curl had sexual relations with her for 4 years, starting when she 13 years old and Curl was 33. The experience robbed Currin of her adolescence and filled her with self-doubt and shame for the next two decades.

Now 62 years old, Curl was a member of the national team coaching staff (he coached Olympic gold medalist Tom Dolan). He was an important man, a prominent figure. Much like Jerry Sandusky.

And perhaps in part because justice has finally been served to Jerry Sandusky, Currin has finally found her voice:

"I was stifled for 23 years from saying anything because I signed a piece of paper when I was 19," she said. "Now, I've gotten to the point in my life where I'm done being quiet about it. … It was a crime, what happened."

Rick Curl is currently under investigation by Montgomery County Police. According to his swim club website, "Rick Curl has decided to take a leave of absence effective immediately."

About damn time.

Do you think more victims of sexual predators will continue to come forward as a result of the Jerry Sandusky trial?

Image via WUSA9