Wednesday, February 16, 2022

'Dirty, disgusted, afraid': Former Wis. police chief speaks about clergy abuse he faced as a child

From TMJ4:

 “If I can only help one person, it’s worth it to me to open up to the public about my situation.”

Posted: 5:48 AM, Feb 15, 2022
 
Updated: 6:34 PM, Feb 15, 2022
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Zipping up his sleeping bag, a Sheboygan teen was restless, worrying about what was to come.

“He’d go from sleeping bag to sleeping bag. I’d learn to flip over on my stomach so he couldn’t touch me.”

Click here to report clergy abuse.

Former Germantown Police Chief, Peter Hoell, is speaking out publicly for the first time about the sexual abuse he faced as a teenager in Sheboygan. More than four decades ago, Hoell says a Holy Name Parish Priest, William Effinger, sexually molested him several times, taking advantage of him and his friends by feeding them alcohol.

“Dirty, disgusted, afraid,” Hoell says of how he felt after the abuse. “I should have told my parents, but I didn’t. I was just too afraid. I didn’t know what was going to happen. Would they believe me?”

Chief Hoell quote dirty disgusted afraid
Chief Peter Hoell is speaking up about sexual abuse he faced as a child.

It was a strategy Effinger used over and over again, according to documents on the Archdiocese of Milwaukee (AOM) website. In 1993, Effinger’s abuse was publicly addressed; a family brought forward accusations of him molesting their 13-year-old son. Effinger went to trial and pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but only served three after passing away from colon cancer behind bars in 1996.

“I’m sorry to say, but I was very happy,” Hoell said. “I was very happy that he died in jail, where he belonged. What made me smile is that he has to meet his maker. What’s he going to say? How is he going to explain all the people he’s damaged?”

Chief Hoell reacting to Effinger's death
Chief Hoell shares a harsh truth when he learned William Effinger died in jail.

 Read and see more: https://www.tmj4.com/news/i-team/dirty-disgusted-afraid-former-wi-police-chief-speaks-about-clergy-abuse-he-faced-as-a-child

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