We're hearing from the mother of a 15-year-old girl who claims she was sexually abused by a St. Landry Parish pastor.
That pastor, Marvin Young, is now out on bond, facing a sexual battery charge.
The mother claims she too was assaulted by Pastor Marvin Young, but she never reported it. She's hoping her story will strike a nerve with anyone out there afraid to report allegations of sexual abuse.
"One thing that really hurts it's that you took my daughter's innocence away from her. She'll never get that back."
This mother asked us to conceal her identity to protect her daughter. Young is the pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church.
"My child is sitting here crying. She doesn't even want to eat so basically this is pain and suffering. This is what my child has to deal with. I hate that it took this to happen to my daughter to speak out, but what can you do when it's happened to you and nobody helped you,” the mother said.
She says the allegations did not take place on church property.
"We have to allow the system to work through the process."
With the judicial process underway, Opelousas Police Chief Martin Mclendon says the focus right now is on the alleged victim.
"We are making sure that she's protected and not involved in any widespread advertisement of what happened to her. We are trying to get the services and offer her the services needed when you have been a victim of some type of sexual assault,” Mclendon added.
The accuser is undergoing counseling and getting help from sexual assault prevention organizations in the community.
"Know that it's not your fault and not just for her but any young girl, woman, young boys it's not your fault. Don't ever think that it's your fault, it's not,” the mother said.
KATC did reach out to Pastor Young by phone for comment and we've not heard back.
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