Presented by Dr. Kathy Heath

How do you know?

What about your niece--or nephew,
your child's best friend,
a grandchild, the neighbor's child?

We have more questions than answers.

 If one in three children is sexually victimized, will all the children you know escape?

 Is there sexual abuse prevention education in your child's school?

 Does it work? How do you know?

Would you recognize a sex offender?

 How?

 What do they look like?

 Where do they live?

 In someone else's neighborhood?

 Molesting someone else's children?

What About False Memory Syndrome?

Has False Memory Syndrome paralyzed us?

Do we ignore all of the victims because there's a possibility of false accusations? Are we throwing out the baby with the bath water?

Ask Sandy Snider about children falsely accusing someone of sex crimes. Her eleven year old son, Zachary, was brutally murdered in a tiny quiet town in Indiana by the nice young man living next door--a convicted, imprisoned, and released sex offender.

Ask Don Kanka about sex crimes. His daughter Megan was assaulted and killed by a sexual offender in a small town in New Jersey.

Why are we afraid to find out what is really going on with our children--in our community?

Why are we afraid to survey our school children on sexual abuse?

 I don't want to talk about it--because of the word "SEX."

 I don't really want to know--I might have to do something.

 Other people deal with this problem,--I don't have time.

 I'll pass this on to one of my subordinates.

 It happened to me and I'm just fine. They'll get over it. It's no big deal.

 It's just some problem hyped up by therapists--it's not real.

 I only see it on the news every now and then--it's not so bad.

 It's just kids in trouble trying to stir up something.

 We're doing everything we can!

Why do we focus on the word SEX?

Why don't we look at the real issues--

 sex abuse

 sex victimization

 sex crimes

 sex assault

 sex violation

And, it's political.

Who decides how we'll go about reaching victims? Superintendents, prosecutors, juvenile judges. They're all open to public scrutiny and no one in the public eye wants to risk political controversy and their income.

What do county and state superintendents, politicians, and prosecutors say about sexual abuse education and school surveys on sexual victimization:

 Every time we have one of those prevention programs--we have to deal with children saying someone molested them.

 Not in my school--they might accuse one of my teachers.

 We don't have time--our school day is full.

 I'd like to do it, but parents would run me out of town.

It's easier and safer to stay unaware--and unconcerned.

We all have excuses--

 and still, we have millions of silent victims--

 too young to help themselves--

 too afraid to tell.

Why don't children tell?

 No one will believe me.

 No one cares.

 I'll get someone in trouble, and they'll have to go to jail--and

 Everyone will blame me for telling.

 It happens to everyone.

 It won't happen again.

 Everyone will know.

 I'll have to go to court.

 People will ask me lots of questions.

 It's too embarrassing.

 I'm afraid.

 I'll get in trouble.

 I've done something bad.

 It's my fault.

How much power are we giving sex offenders?

Do you know what's happening in your own community?

Do you care? Enough to take a stand? Enough to finally speak out?

Or will your eyes stay closed?

Where do we find the answers.

If you do care--and aren't afraid to take a stand--to speak out...

I've spent three years developing an anonymous survey for young adolescents on undisclosed sexual victimization.

If you would like more information,--

 if you care,--

 and if you want to help these silent victims,

 please let me know.

For more information, please contact Dr. Nancy Faulkner.

Learn More About Child Sexual Abuse

Email: ATFCPA

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