The former president of a volunteer fire organization was recently found guilty of causing harm to a boy through effects of sexual abuse.

Keith C. formerly served as the president of a volunteer fire company in Carbon County, Pa. The 65-year-old man was recently sentenced to one to three years in prison after being found guilty of unlawful contact with a minor, sexual assault, and intimidation of a witness.

In addition to his prison sentence, Keith will be registered as a sex offender for 25 years. He must have no affiliation with any community-based organization (such as his former volunteer fire organization), and he will not be allowed to have unsupervised contact with children.

The former volunteer firefighter reportedly met his 16-year-old victim while with the company. In 2017, another member of the same fire company, Jordan B., was reportedly arrested for sending the same youth explicit photos and sexual messages. After Jordan was arrested, Keith allegedly touched the boy on the groin and buttocks while telling him to “wake up”. According to authorities, the man also told the young man “Now that [Jordan] is gone, is it my turn?”

Keith reportedly asked the minor to perform sex acts in exchange for cigarette money and cigars. After he was contacted by investigators regarding his victim, Keith allegedly arranged to pay the boy $1,000 to drop the claims against him. Authorities say that Keith handed money off to a third party intermediary shortly before he was arrested.

Although Keith now faces time behind bars, his victim will likely join the countless other young persons suffer from the effects of sexual abuse.

Sexual abuse can be extremely damaging to the psyche, resulting in numerous psychological problems. According to the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network, the most common signs of sexual abuse are depression, flashbacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Other side effects may include self-harm, substance abuse, dissociation, sexually transmitted infections, substance abuse, eating disorders, sleep disorders, pregnancy, and suicide.

The Joyful Heart Foundation notes that other side effects may be possible following the traumatic experiences of sexual abuse.

“Other circumstances can develop for a survivor after being sexually assaulted or raped,” the foundation notes. “A survivor may develop a negative outlook and feel ‘damaged’ or unworthy of a better life.”

The foundation reiterates the risk of substance abuse and notes that women may struggle with their menstrual cycle and fertility following the trauma. Other noted side effects include chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle tension, involuntary shaking, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, and sexual dysfunction.

Although the aftereffects of sexual abuse can be detrimental to victims’ mental health, a recently passed law in New York will allow survivors to bring civil lawsuits against their abusers until age 55.

A one year “look back window” has also been established so that victims who formerly were unable to bring claims due to statutes of limitations can seek justice. Similar legislation is working its way through the Pennsylvania legislature, meaning that sexual abuse survivors from this state may soon be able to take similar actions.

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