Matt Sandusky, the adopted son of Jerry Sandusky, has founded the Peaceful Hearts Foundation, a charity that supports survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

The Peaceful Hearts Foundation’s mission is to “provide survivor-informed advocacy for the elimination of childhood sexual victimization and trauma.”

Matt alleged he was abused by Jerry as a child during his father’s trial in June 2012. After supporting his father at the trial’s onset, Matt contacted police after hearing the testimony of Victim 4 and was to be a surprise witness during the trial if Jerry took the stand himself, which never happened. Jerry has denied the allegations, although Matt reached an undisclosed settlement agreement last summer after suing Penn State.

An excerpt from the “Our Story” page of the foundation’s website reads:

In 2011 and 2012, as the world tuned into the news for updates on the “Sandusky Scandal”, our family sat in the epicenter of the storm. Matt and Kim were engaged to be married when their worlds were turned upside down. In November of 2011, Matt’s adoptive father, Jerry Sandusky, was arrested for sexually assaulting at least ten young boys. Many months and incredible amounts of soul searching, strength, and courage led Matt to contact authorities about the abuse that he had suffered at the hands of his adopted father. The storm that followed would be one that Matt and his family could never have imagined or prepared for.

Donations to the charity go to the production and distribution of additional resources for survivors, families, and individuals.