Pastor son stands with father accused of sex assaults
Russell Rodman, accused of assaulting boys, admitted to his son he struggled with desires
CBC News
Posted: Feb 1, 2012 7:51 AM MT
Last Updated: Feb 1, 2012 7:47 AM MT
The son of a former Baptist church volunteer accused of sexually abusing young boys says his family is standing behind the man.
Police allege Russell Rodman, 58, assaulted three boys while he was volunteering at churches in Calgary in the '80s and '90s. (CBC)Police allege Russell Louis Rodman, 58, assaulted three boys while he was volunteering at churches in Calgary in the '80s and '90s.
His son, Greg, a pastor, told CBC News his father recently confided in him and another man that he was struggling with a desire for young boys.
Greg Rodman said he and the other man, family friend Joel Gordon, convinced his father to go to police.
“We've got to own this sin. Specifically Russ has to own this sin and we want him to be accountable to it,” said Gordon.
Rodman, who now lives in High River, faces numerous charges, including sexual assault and gross indecency.
The victims were between the ages of 11 and 14, police said.
“People do terrible things. So those things are true of my dad too, but he's my dad. It's difficult. I mean, life has changed and will never be the same,” said Greg Rodman.
Police are urging any more potential victims of Rodman to come forward.
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