93% of child sexual abuse victims are abused by someone they already know.47% of child sexual abuse victims wait 5 years or more to speak up, if they ever do.1 of 4 girls and 1 of 6 boys is sexually abused before the age of 18. Research tells us that child sexual abuse does not discriminate. It will make any caregiver feel more comfortable talking about this important subject, thereby helping to PREVENT the unthinkable from happening to their child. The “Suggestions for the Storyteller” section is an important, interactive feature that facilitates the discussion to follow. It is a compelling and uplifting message. The text assures them that it wasn’t their fault and by speaking out the child will continue to grow big and strong. The last page shows a proud, smiling child doing a “strong arm” pose. The powerful message really comes through when the youngster tells on the offender and the parents praise the child’s bravery.
The story is a simple scenario involving a gender neutral child who is inappropriately touched by an uncle’s friend. Parents and educators can use it as a tool to facilitate an open dialogue with youngsters. It endeavors to teach children that they don’t have to endure abuse in silence. It occurred to me that after three painful years, all it took to end her nightmare was a TV program encouraging her to “tell a teacher.” I wrote My Body Belongs to Me to continue that message. I have thought often of that very sweet, very brave 9-year-old girl. The defendant was convicted and is now serving a lengthy prison sentence. I prosecuted the case for the District Attorney’s office. The girl got the message and the very next day went to school and told her teacher. If you can’t tell your parents, go to school and tell your teacher. The episode, “Tortured Children,” empowered the girl with this simple message: If you are being abused, tell your parents. One day, the girl saw an episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” about children who were physically abused. I prosecuted the case of a 9-year-old girl who had been raped by her stepfather since she was 6. One case in particular had a profound impact on me and compelled me to write a children’s book called My Body Belongs to Me. As a former prosecutor of child abuse and sex crimes in New York City for 22 years, I often encountered children who were sexually abused for lengthy periods of time and suffered in silence.
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