Gay male survivor of child abuse and bullying speaks out.  

Statistics show that over 80% of boys and men do not come forward about abuse out of fear and shame.  Patrick Dati was one of those statistics but after years of depression and attempts with suicide he has decided it was time to tell his story.

Patrick is honored to have been working in conjunction with the SAMHSA/ US Department of Human Services sharing his story for their 2012 National Trauma Campaign as a trauma victim who has survived.  He is a public advocate and speaker for several anti-child abuse and bullying organizations such as National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse and RAINN-Rape and the Abuse & Incest National Network and now an advisor board member with Dreamcatchers for Abused Children, Inc.

Patrick Dati speaks publicly to stop bullying, to promote education and awareness about the serious issues of child sexual abuse and bullying to break the silence, and create change and action.  Patrick Dati lived to finally “break the silence” that plagued him through his life.  Patrick was a victim of notorious serial killer John Wayne Gacy, as one fateful day when Patrick was just a child, he was raped in a public restroom, and threatened to never tell anyone about the assault.  This would profoundly affect Patrick’s life and haunted him as he suffered alone with this secret.

Patrick’s world began to spiral downward, and his true inner pain was hidden, as he was able to masque the true pain he was in and kept it hidden from his family and those around him. His life was not his own, and it became apparent that he was not living his own life but the life his family expected him to. After many years of keeping the truth hidden from his family, Patrick finally allowed his family to know that he is gay, and is comfortable with his choices in his life. Patrick suffered sibling bullying due to his “differences” and was bullied at school as a young man.

Years ago as part of my own therapy he put his thoughts and experiences down on paper.  He is now working with publishers to get his story out and help support these causes.  His mission in life is to help others who suffer and show them it is okAY to come forward. Patrick’s goal is to continue to speak publicly about the issue of bullying and child sexual abuse, and he has had many interviews on major national networks and television stations. Please see Patrick’s website www.youandmecanstopbullies.com for more information or to contact Patrick Dati at media@youandmecanstopbullies.com.