By LEONARD GRAY

NORCO – Chad Becnel has a troubled past, but he has taken steps to get past it. Eight of them, in fact.

Becnel, 25, was the first victim to come forward in the sexual molestation and abuse case against Brian Matherne, a former teacher and coach at Sacred Heart School in Norco.

Now, Becnel’s troubled past will be part of the one-hour program, “Outside the Lines,” schedule to air Tuesday on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. The segment on Matherne and Becnel is the last 20 minutes, concentrating on where Becnel is now and what he has done toward healing.

In 2000, Matherne pled guilty to 24 counts of molestation of a juvenile, seven counts of aggravated crime against nature and one count each of attempted molestation of a juvenile and attempted crime against nature. The offenses took place between June 1985 and June 1999.

Becnel was seven years old when he was first raped by an earlier victim of Matherne. Four years later began a torturous seven-year period when he endured molestation by Matherne.

“I’m angry, but I’m turning my anger into something positive,” Becnel said.

What he is doing is spearheading the spread of STTOP, Survivors Together Talking Openly about Pedophiles.

“I want STTOP to be nationwide,” Becnel said.

Becnel, an architecture student at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and student body vice-president, is headed to LSU to study construction law. However, it is his childhood which is shaping his future.

He has granted television interviews, given speeches and is completing work on his book, “Pieces of My Troubled Past,” which he hopes will be picked up by the Oprah Book Club.

Becnel’s attorneys were first contacted by ESPN and Becnel enthusiastically agreed to cooperate in the program’s production, granting on-camera interviews as well as providing important research into the case.

“So many people are silent,” he said. “I hope it opens up people’s eyes.”

The impact of his childhood abuse drove Becnel to alcohol and drug abuse. Since clean, he has modeled STTOP after those programs, developing an eight-step program for victims of child sexual abuse. Becnel pointed out that one of three females and one of seven males, on the average, are victims of sexual abuse.

The first step toward healing: Recognizing it is not your fault.

In Norco, he added of Matherne’s impact, “perhaps 50 to 60 percent of the households were affected, at least indirectly.”

Currently, there are two STTOP group in Lafayette, one on and one off-campus. Norco has five STTOP groups, alone.

STTOP works with people through small discussion groups. Once members move along the healing path, they start mentoring others, organizing more and more groups.

At the same time, STTOP is taking actions on the legal front, campaigning to increase the statute of limitations on these crimes from 10 to 15 years.

“A pedophile is just like a murderer in my eyes,” Becnel said. “It kills the soul, kills self-esteem, kills hope.”

Becnel hopes to spread the word about STTOP, as well as urge victims to come forward without delay.

To contact him, call 337-482-2742 or 337-235-7005.

Matherne is currently serving 29 years, 11 months and 29 days, as handed down by 29th Judicial District Judge Robert Chaisson.