Sheldon Kennedy Talks About Sexual Abuse

In Part 1 of our 4 part series, Sheldon Kennedy speaks about dealing with the spotlight, and offers advice for youth and parents dealing with abuse. He discusses the need for open, honest conversation and the need for parental involvement in children's activities.

Sheldon Kennedy skated for three teams in his eight-year NHL career and played for Canada's gold-medal-winning team in the 1988 World Junior Hockey Championship. He is widely known for his courageous decision to charge his minor-league hockey coach, Graham James, with sexual assault for the abuse he suffered over a five-year period. Sheldon's decision to go public with the charges rocked the hockey world and forced him into the media spotlight. His life story was made into an award-winning television movie, and he has appeared on Oprah, ABC's Nightline, W5, and The Fifth Estate.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Sheldon
• Kennedy
• mym
• mental
• health
• respect
• in
• sport
• sexual
• abuse
• substance
• drugs
• alchol
• minor
• hockey
• canada

[artisands]

I agree. All these kids need is someone to talk to. If he had someone to talk to as a kid, he probably would have been able to have a successful NHL career. These kind of traumas can effect people in ways no one can imagine if they have no one to talk to. Good on you Sheldon for having the courage to talk to us about it. You saved people. He would have done it to other kids. Good to see that the monster is rotting in Jail.

[mindyourmind]

Hi artisands,

I just wanted to clarify a very disturbing fact though and mention that the coach (Graham James) that sexually abused Sheldon and over 150 other children is actually not in jail. James was given a lifetime ban from coaching by the Canadian Hockey Association. When the CHA learned that James was coaching in Spain, it complained to European ice hockey officials.

James fled to Europe after he was released from prison, and still coaches youth hockey there.

[harrynuts1]

That fat pig James should be castrated.

[YOUrmypal68]

I just finished reading his book and Theo Fleury's book in 2 days...very interesting. These two are survivors and I look up to them as examples of survival in anything you battle with.

[Teesweety777]

I love you Sheldon and I am very sorry this happened to you! You are a great person for doing what you did! Thanks for being so honest and for being very real about what happened to you! Being a single mother I appreciate your honesty and for your real input on what happened to you! Big Fan Sheldon. You are in my prayers forever!

[Sanosuke004]

I first heard about Sheldon when he drove my Chinese friend here two nights ago. Since then my brother told me he knows him personally as he bought some energy equipment from him(my brother)!! Story kept short, he drove my buddy here to the house.

[thistangledwebcouk]

great video

thistangledweb.co.uk

[AnnaP229]

Graham is not in Europe. We are a new Hockey Junior Team in Washington DC and he approached us to coach our team as we where looking to hire a new Junior Coach. He is here in the US and is trying to continue to coach Junior hockey.

[YOUrmypal68]

Him and any one else who abuses a child

[MrBarelylethal]

he was coaching in europe recently but now is believed to be in the montreal area

[LosxAngelesxAngel15]

sheldon is brave x

[sharpy17]

europe

[ethicomm]

You got that right.