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Kerry Says Brown Disclosure Could Help Others

NEWTON (AP) - Sen. John Kerry says his Massachusetts colleague, Sen. Scott Brown, should be congratulated for his decision to disclose the sexual and physical abuse he suffered as a child.

Kerry said Friday that Brown's willingness to share personal details about his childhood could help other victims of abuse understand that they are not alone.

Read: Cape Cod Camp Reaches Out To Sen. Brown About Sex Abuse Allegations

In a book to be released next week, Brown said he was sexually abused by a camp counselor and physically abused by a stepfather. He also discussed the abuse in an interview airing Sunday on CBS television's "60 Minutes."

The two appeared together later at an unrelated event, but Brown ducked out without speaking to reporters.

Read: Accused Camp Counselor Could Face Punishment

Brown, a Republican, gained national attention when he won a special election last year to replace the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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