Man tells abuser who raped him when he was 11-years-old that he is 'reclaiming my voice and my life'

"reclaiming my voice, my story and my life"

"Devin O'Donnell (19) was reading from his victim impact statement at the Central Criminal Court sentence hearing of Joseph Campbell (63) of Castle Court, Daingean, Co Offaly."

Devin O'Donnell, aged 19, was raped when he was 11 years old. He read a victim impact statement at the Central Criminal Court during the sentencing hearing for Joseph Campbell, aged 63, of Castle Court, Daingean, Co Offaly. He told his abuser that he will not carry the guilt anymore and declared he is reclaiming his voice, his story and his life. The statement was delivered in court as part of the sentencing process. The testimony reflects an assertion of agency and a refusal to be defined by past abuse.

Read at Independent