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Anne Scully of Waterford Rape Crisis Centre reacts to conviction of Thomas Terry Cummins

Anne Scully of Waterford Rape Crisis Centre reacts to conviction of Thomas Terry Cummins
Mary O'Neill
Mary O'Neill

The manager of the Waterford Rape Crisis Centre is encouraging victims of abuse to "pick up the phone and talk to someone in the Rape Crisis Centre."

Anne Scully was speaking to Damien on Déise Today after a man was found guilty of indecently assaulting a teenager at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court.

Thomas Terry Cummins was accused of indecently assaulting the then 15 year old at a bookmakers office in John Street in Waterford City in the early 1980s.

The accused, from Hillview and formerly of the Cork Road, now aged 82, denied the accusations.

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But a jury found him guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault against the youth, on Thursday morning.

He's due to be sentenced in June.

It is the second time Mr Cummins has been convicted of abusing a young teenage boy; the court heard the accused had pleaded guilty and been convicted in 2002 for sexual offences against a 13-year-old in the betting office in the 1980s.

Anne Scully praised the victims for coming forward, saying that people carry sexual abuse around like a "weight and a burden" over the years.

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She went on to tell Damien that victims of abuse often blame themselves, but it's never their fault.

Anne also discussed how the legal process can be very onerous and not always "survivor friendly," however she added that if the DPP decides not to bring a case forward, it doesn't mean the survivor hasn't been believed.

You can listen to Anne's full interview with Damien, through the link in this podcast.

And for all Déise podcasts, click here.

For further help and information you can visit The Waterford Rape Crisis Centre website.

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