Just One Person

In February 1997 Martin Kruze told the world that he had been sexually abused as a youth at Maple Leaf Gardens. The media response was unprecedented. Soon hundreds of others came forward to tell the secrets that they had pledged never to tell. Many lives were profoundly touched in ways that Martin would never know.

Martin wanted to help others deal with the pain they had suffered and he wanted to raise awareness about abuse. “If I can help just one person, he would say, “Then I’ll have done my job.”

Martin Kruze jumped to his death three days after Gordon Stuckless was sentenced to less than two years imprisonment for a conviction of abusing 24 youth. There were claims that his cruelty touched the lives of scores more children at a variety of sports settings in Toronto. Martin, like many victims of child abuse, was devastated by the low value that seemed to be placed on the loss of his childhood and innocence.

Martin’s family put out a short statement:

“The family is devastated over the loss of a wonderful son and brother. It is a tragedy that should never have happened.

We are extremely proud that Martin came forward to tell his story about his years of sexual abuse and that he was able to help so many other people come forward to tell their stories and begin to deal with their own tragedies.

In the end, we feel that Justice was not served and unfortunately, Martin paid the biggest price of all – with his own life.”

The Kruze Family