In grade school, kids learn about fire drills and severe weather drills; they learn about what foods to eat and what to do when encountering strangers. But what about getting educated on what to do if someone touches them inappropriately?
That’s Erin Merryn’s argument for the passage of Erin’s Law, a bill that would allocate funding for materials and programs that would help teach kids about sexual abuse and what to do if it happens to them. The bill has made its way through the Illinois legislature and Merryn hopes that it is passed on a national level too.
Merryn is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. After dealing with anxiety, panic attacks, and suicide attempts, she decided to take back her life and do something to help others. She has published two memoirs about her experiences, Stolen Innocence and Living for Today, and travels the country to speak to young people about what she endured. As she states on her web site:
“My mission is to take the stigma and shame off of sexual abuse survivors and give them a reason to speak. To educate the public that children are being abused right now in your own communities and our own backyards. I am at war against this silent evil that is lurking in the shadows.”
Now, she is working hard to bring awareness to Erin’s Law.
Many children who are abused remain silent. Merryn says she feels that if she were educated about sexual abuse as a child, she might have spoken out sooner. Both she and her sister were abused by a cousin, something Merryn kept a secret for years.
We worry about registered sex offenders living in our neighborhood. But what about those who have never been convicted? Or what about family members or acquaintances we seem to trust? I often wonder about how many children are abused but who are afraid or ashamed to speak out and tell someone. Erin’s Law could change that by empowering kids. Merryn has the courage and determination to help make that happen and make a difference in the lives of many children.
To learn more about Erin or Erin’s Law, visit her web site or follow her on Twitter.
Thanks so much Erin for posting this. I really appreciate you taking interest in what I am doing to protect children and pushing for Erin’s law. Your a great writer yourself!
Thanks Erin! If there is anything else I can do to help ‘get the word out’ about Erin’s Law, let me know!
Are you on facebook? I know your company is? I tried finding you but a bunch of people with your name came up.
Thank you for fighting for the right thing. My child even after molesting another boy and telling his grandparents wouldn’t say anything to anyone else, so they count his father innocent and doctor said that he was with me over 24 hours and wouldn’t not look at his behind so in the eyes of the law his dad never molested him when in reality my son lives a horror every day of his life. I don’t know what to do and how to fight for him now, everywhere I go when they hear “molestation” it’s like all they hear is the money. Psychologist asked for 15,000$ to even begin working when he was seeing Jeremy when he started not being able to hold poop in, pooping his pants a grown boy, he told him that his daddy is hurting his buttom and absolutely nothing.. Lawyers when they hear molestation that’s even more money grabbing business and what about the child?? and not just mine but so many??? I am so heartbroken
Thank you for your comments. I am sorry to hear your son went through what he did. I was not aware of those trying to profit from such a situaiton and those who overlook what happened to a child. That’s so very wrong. I hope your son can get genuine help from someone/somewhere. Are there any resources in your community that could help him? A great place to start might be RAINN. Visit their site at http://www.rainn.org. They’re a trusted, well established organization that helps those who have been abused. They’re non-profit and their only goal is to help victims. God bless you!
I am so excited to see that finally something is possible to educate children in our schools. I tried desperately after my son was abducted and murdered to get safety education in our schools – especially in Illinois where I lived at the time.
Please let me know how I can help.
Thank you Mika, for responding. I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your son. You can connect with Erin on Twitter (@erinmerryn) or follow her on Facebook (search “Erin Merryn”) or follow on Facebook an organization Erin supports, Chelsea’s Light (http://www.facebook.com/chelseaslight?ref=ts). Both post nearly daily and inform people on what they can do to help! God bless you!