Maryland is the latest state, joining the crusade last month. After Bailey's passing, she adopted a kitten named Carrot. The same year I was born in 1985 was the first year the development of the first CAC in America was born in Alabama. I was abused. My abuse first happened at weeks shy of my seventh birthday by a neighbor it went on until age 8 and a half. What do you think made him want to apologize, finally? It just turned into a screaming match between my mom and his mom, your son did this, your girls are liars, remembered Erin. The family pressed charges against Brian, who ultimately admitted to three counts of sexual abuse. After graduating, Erin went on to earn her Masters degree in social work, but from time to time she would still consult her little pink childhood diary. Erin first gained public attention for this cause when she self-published her first book while still a senior in high school in Schaumburg IL, entitled: Stolen Innocence: Triumphing Over a Childhood Broken by Abuse: A Memoir. Buccos bill requires all school districts to incorporate age-appropriate sexual abuse awareness and prevention education in grades preschool through 12 as part of Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. "Alabama needs this law because just like everywhere else in America . After her parents decided to move Erins abuse ended but only brought her that much closer to her next abuser, an older teenage cousin who lived down the street from her. Instead of putting their daughters through further emotional trauma of a criminal trial, Erins parents decided not to press charges. Statistics show that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused by the age of 18. Erin said he would occasionally downplay what he did, but he never denied it. Erin's Law is the first US child sexual abuse prevention education law requiring children be educated in schools. Gov. MORE: Cancer-surviving mom stays strong for her son. A voice that flies across America and speaks at many of these CAC's that exist taking people back to my experience at the CAC and this time sharing all the details because I no longer carry the shame but instead a voice bringing awareness to these incredible centers that give children a new start on life and a path toward healing. EN RU CN DE ES. I will fight alongside Erin and the advocates right here in our community until the day that this lifesaving legislation finally becomes law.. Eventually though the conversation has to shift and that question that I will never forget. Erin's Law has passed in 21 states and is pending in 22 others. "The new bill brings a mandate," Merryn said, "mandating that all (Illinois) schools--pre-school through 12th grade--must begin next fall teaching sexual-abuse prevention education in the schools." While the party was going on, and my friend's mom was in the house, this neighbor cornered me in a bathroom and abused me. Erin Merryn is an author (Stolen Innocence, Living for Today, An Unimaginable Act), activist, and founder of Erin's Law. ", Merryn's family, including her two sisters, moved to another neighborhood in the same town when Merryn was 8, and she stopped seeing Ashley. The man had threatened Merryn that hed hurt her more if she told anyone. It happened again after we moved away, when a cousin started abusing me in my sleep when I was 11 years old. After it was republished by Health Communications in early 2005, she began traveling the nation telling her story about the sexual abuse she endured at hundreds of high schools, colleges, sexual assault centers, child abuse conferences and community events. Two of those children were my sister and I. Merryn found her voice at 13 when her younger sister said the words she'll never forget: "Brian's gross!" It turned out cousin Brian was abusing Merryn's little sister, too. But instead of telling everyone to vote against it, she told everyone to vote in support of this bill. You will eventually hear about this law being passed in all 50 states, and I plan on one day taking it and making it international, said Erin. Two days later, their cousin was brought into the police station. There, at her friends house, in the middle of the night, she was sexually assaulted by her friends uncle. Buccos legislation has received support from prominent victims rights advocates and support organizations, including Morris County advocate Richard Pompelio; and Patrice Lenowitz, founder and executive director of The Nurtured Parent Support Group for Survivors of Domestic Abuse, a Bergen County organization serving survivors and protective parents across the state. Erin's Law, which debuted in Illinois, is now in 37 states and mandates that public schools teach age-appropriate sex abuse prevention to grades as young as pre-K. Merryn said those lessons on . tax-exempt 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. He told me, "Your goal is to convince everyone else." COLUMBUS, Ohio The Ohio Senate is considering a bill to teach elementary, middle and high school students how to protect themselves from sexual predators. I tell parents the best way to talk to kids about this is through the swimsuit lesson, Merryn said. But many schools, she said, are using faculty social workers and psychologists because research shows its better taught by in-house staff then outside agencies. The more I shared the more I felt heard like I was lifting this burden off me and by the way the forensic interviewer was talking to me and encouraged me she gave me the message she believed me. Requiring personal body safety education in public schools. She has appeared on Oprah, Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, Fox, MSNBC, TLC documentary Breaking the Silence, CBS This Morning, Katie Couric, Tamaron Hall, 700 Club, and over 200 local media stations. (Read why most child abuse goes unreported). I found (the) freedom and peace I had longed for. But nobody asked those important questions. Chris Newlin - National Children's Advocacy Center Erin decided at a young age to take a stand against evil and expose the silent epidemic of child sexual abuse in the spotlight. But only 1 in every 10 sexually abused children ever tell anyone about it. Merryn: I cover these two words in my second book, "Living for Today." I had only ever been told no one (would) believe me, I feared ruining our large extended family when they learned a family member (teenage cousin) was molesting my sister and I. Sixteen years ago, on March 29, 1998, my sister broke her silence to me. Erin Merryn is a powerful speaker and advocate for countless, faceless children and adults in our country who have similarly suffered sexual abuse. [3], "I was not educated on not keeping secrets if someone was hurting me. Stolen Innocencewas published soon after. But at age 11, Merryn's second nightmare began. As I often tell people, our innocence was stolen, (our) trust taken, but the one thing we can reclaim as survivors is our voices. We live in a society that keeps it hushed and (there is) so much taboo around it; people are afraid to speak up and say this happened to them. I often say victims are those who are killed by their attackers. Children are taught that the police are their to keep their communities safe and lock up the bad people. Merryn advocates for sexual abuse victims. Hes grown into quite the little man and doesnt want me near the bathroom when he showers or gets dressed and I respect that. After her parents decided to move Erin's abuse ended but only brought her that much closer to her next abuser, an older teenage cousin who lived . All rights reserved. Details Eleven-year-old Erin Merryn's life was transformed on the night she was sexually abused by her cousin, someone she loved and trusted. Im terribly concerned about that, said OBrien. COLUMBUS, Ohio - Erin Merryn, a Chicago-area resident behind an Ohio bill that would require public schools to provide age-appropriate sexual abuse prevention instruction, told a Senate. Her testimony was met with a standing ovation. Merryn saidif parents are not comfortable, the bill allows parents toopt their kids out of the education. In April, 2010, Illinois State Senator Tim Bivins agreed to meet with Erin and he became the first state legislator to sponsor Erins Law. Since that first meeting, Erin has met with hundreds of state legislators, testified dozens of times in front of State Senate and House committees, served on several committees to draft bills and implement the new laws, plus speaks regularly to schools, agencies, conferences and media nationwide. Erin Elizabeth heard over the years from 11-13 "Nobody will believe you, you have no proof, you will destroy our large extended family, this is our secret don't tell anyone." Merryn: What caused me to come forward was unfortunately finding out that my little sister was also being abused. He'd conditioned and kept me silent for two years, so he knew he could get away with that behavior, even with so many people around. Her name is Erin Merryn and she is the founder of Erins Law. Have there been times in your life when haven't done well? Erin is now on a mission to persuade all 50 states to pass Erins Law, which mandates that all public schools use age-appropriate curricula to teach students how to tell on anyone who touches or attempts to touch their private parts. If they feel they are in danger or in an uncomfortable situation, they can call home and use the code word, something as simple as, I forgot my math homework at school. . Erin Merryn born February 2 1985 is the author of Stolen Innocence Living for Today An Unimaginable Act Bailey No Ordinary Cat and The Diary of a Cat. Alaska Dispatch: In your quest to get Erin's Law passed in every state, you must have encountered some surprising remarks. Alaska Dispatch: When you broke your silence and spoke up, was it frightening? Erin Merryn (born February 2, 1985) is the author of Stolen Innocence, Living for Today, and An Unimaginable Act. Then, after seven months of back-and-forths, he wrote a heartfelt apology to Erin and asking for her forgiveness, but also understanding if she couldnt forgive him. The cousin used the same tactic as her first abuser telling her no one would believe her and there was no proof. The next day they told their parents. She is an activist against child sexual abuse. (Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images) Again, she started having trouble in school, becoming distant and withdrawn. Erin Merryn's memoir is about how her life was transformed on the night she was sexually abused by her cousin, someone she loved and trusted."I thought when the abuse stopped I could move on with my life. www.accessonline.com/videos/ellen-degeneres-gives-internet-famous-cat-a-call-in-quarantine, www.rainn.org/news/president-signs-measures-support-state-action-prevent-and-address-child-sexual-abuse, www.accessonline.com/videos/ellen-degeneres-gives-internet-famous-cat-a-call-in-quarantine. She told them that, growing up in Illinois, she had experienced tornado drills, fire drills and bus drills; was taught about stranger danger and eight ways to say no to drugs through D.A.R.E., but no one ever taught her how to protect herself from sexual abuse and what to do if a family member or friend molested or raped her. I think he knew that once he had us conditioned, we were easy targets. Merryn now had a duty as a big sister to protect her younger sibling. Her older cousin sexually abused her from 11-13 years old. Alaska's version of Erin's Law is currently under consideration by the Alaska State Legislature as House Bill 233. When I look at you, I see nothing but scum. Of course I was asked what I was referring to and I said my cousin Brian has been doing bad things. What's your advice for sexual abuse victims who may want to come forward, but who feel the abuse is better kept secret or forgotten? 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