Abuse victim on woman accused of sex with teen | News

PALMETTO, Florida - A Bay area man said he's sickened by reaction from some people over the arrest of a 37-year-old Pasco woman, accused of having sex with a 16-year-old boy.

Ken Followell, a victim of sexual abuse as a child, said many times there is a double standard. Followell is president of the organization Male Survivor, which helps victims of abuse recover. He said in cases like this, people seem to forget that a 16-year-old boy is still a child who cannot legally consent to sex.

"There are some people that are going to get that his childhood has been stolen from him. And there are other people who are going to give him high fives and cheer him on, and it's like, really? Would you ever cheer a rape victim? Which is what this boy is," said Followell.

And it seems many times female perpetrators get less harsher sentences. For example, teacher Debra LeFave pleaded guilty in 2005 to sex with a 14-year-old and received probation. In 2009, substitute teacher Lisa Marinelli also pleaded guilty to having sex with a student and got probation.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, the teen Alexis Colson had sex with was one of her daughter's friends. Authorities said she also sent naked and sexually explicit photos of herself to him.

Followell said people need to understand there are consequences for many victims.

"Their ability to have an intimate relationship in the future is damaged, because they've been objectified very early," said Followell.