Kat Witschen: 20 Who Made a Difference in 2020

Kat Witschen: 20 Who Made a Difference in 2020

Sometimes, all it takes is one person to make a difference. 

In the case of former Salve Regina University student Kat Witschen, it was taking to Facebook to let dozens of other students know they were not alone. 

In September, Witschen recounted her experiences of sexual misconduct — involving bondage, filming, and the sharing of sexually explicit material -- at the hands of now-former Professor Tom Gleadow. 

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“He also told me not to tell anyone because the other students would get ‘jealous,” wrote Witschen. “I write this so that no one else has to go through what I went through and to emphasize to my fellow actors that you should never swallow your discomfort. He also cannot be allowed to teach or direct anymore.”

Following Witschen’s revelations, dozens of more women came forward with similar stories, some dating as far back as the 1980s.

“I didn't expect this many women to come forward at all. I'm still in a state of shock,” Kat Witschen told GoLocal.

While Newport police looked into the reports, there were no findings of criminality. But Gleadow is no longer at Salve. 

“I was terrified to come forward because I thought no one would believe me, but I knew I needed to put a stop to him,” said Witschen.  

“I just want to make sure that he doesn't do this to anyone else. That's all I want,” she said.