Local experts react to lawsuit against Haughton couple for victims' emotional impact
By: Morgan Thomas
Updated: January 23, 2013
More details surrounding the lawsuit against convicted sex offender Paul Holmes and his wife, Tammy Lynn, of Haughton. Three victims' parents are suing the former deacon and his wife for damages from being secretly video recorded while staying at their home for a church youth group sleep-over.
"You feel invaded and it gives you a very unsettling feeling and that can stay with you for quite some time," said Dr. Deborah Brown, Gingerbread House counselor.
Dr. Brown counsels child sex abuse victims for the gingerbread house. She says being recorded either by video or pictures can make you feel as violated as being touched without consent.
"If they have counseling and a lot of understanding and support from their families and other people that can help a lot," said Brown.
Court documents allege that Holmes didn't stop with hidden cameras in his bathroom. Law enforcement also found images that we're taken from a hidden camera on his shoe.
"They're hard to see -- hence the word 'spy'. The technology out there is sophisticated. they can have a camera the size of a pen cap and it can record to a memory card and it can be viewed on a large monitor," said Trooper Matt Harris, State Police.
Trooper Harris wants parents to speak with their children about being aware of their surroundings no matter where they are. However, finding one of these cameras is almost impossible.
"They're going to have technology if they're one of those predators they're going to spend money to get technology. It's going to be very difficult for you to find that kind of stuff," said Harris.
While nanny cams and surveillance cameras are legal, if you see something suspicious speak up --- you could prevent more children from experiencing what Holmes' victims are dealing with.
"For instance, if you put a camera in a bathroom, you're violating somebody's privacy," said Harris.
"There's not many good reasons to be doing that," said Brown.
Paul Holmes' wife has managed to stay out of the legal limelight prior to this lawsuit. However, the victims' attorney says she should have known what was going on inside her home, and should have protected the girls from such actions. Holmes' sentencing on the voyeurism is set for February fifth.
