Yahoo 7 News reported on the trial of former Christian Brother John Francis Tyrrell over 14 charges relating to alleged rape, sexual abuse and assault of a young boy in the 1960s.

The victim’s testimony and description of the events he remembers are deeply distressing. He says he was subjected to horrific abuse at Tyrrell’s hands.

It will be up to the court to determine whether Tyrrell is guilty but the media still has a responsibility to report the trial accurately. The victim is not claiming he was raped and hit by an invisible being. His testimony was that these things were done to him by Tyrrell. Erasing the man on trial for these crimes from the headline is erasing the story.

Tyrrell denies all the allegations and the trial is ongoing.

FixedIt is an ongoing project to push back against the media’s constant erasure of violent men and blaming of innocent victims. If you would like to help fund it – even $5 a month makes a big difference – please consider becoming a Patron


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