HALT Recovery Central's Addiction Blog

A man who sexually assaulted a college student at a 1984 fraternity party and then tried to apologized 21 years later as part of his twelve step program of recovery, has been given a 10-year prison sentence with all but 18 months suspended. He was also ordered to perform 500 hours of community service related to issues of sexual assault and alcohol abuse on college campuses.

William Beebe, 42, was originally charged with rape in connection with the sexual assault of Liz Seccuro at a fraternity house at the University of Virginia in 1984. He was allowed to plead guilty to a lesser charge of aggravated sexual battery after prosecutors found evidence that Seccuro was attacked by more than one person at that frat party.

The case was reopened in 2005 after Beebe sent a letter to Seccuro apologizing for the attack as part of working a ninth step in his program of recovery. The ninth step says: “Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.”

Apology Was Not Enough

Apparently Beebe, who Judge Edward Hogshire said had shown remorse and had become a “leader” in the recovery community, apparently misjudged the harm his attempt at amends would cause his victim, even 21 years after the incident.

After an exchange of emails with Beebe in 2005, Seccuro contacted authorities and Beebe was arrested in Las Vegas. After his sentencing, Seccuro said an apology does not substitute for punishment and she thought the sentence was “very fair.”