Two things from this article I wanted to comment on: People always ask me what I think should have happened to Youssefi. Years in prison? Intensive counseling? Even after all my reporting, I’m still not sure. But I do know one thing: When Dodd told her school counselor about Youssefi, I hadn’t started taking gymnastics…
“I too have been both disheartened and dismayed at the recent conversations I have had with others on the topic of educational campaigns, especially in relation to campaigns focussed at younger children. Comments such as the following have been made by those not willing to discuss abuse with their children: “The childhood years are so…
Never let it be said that being a victim of child abuse is a life sentence to misery. Survivors have gone on to do amazing things, just like any other group of people. Overcoming isn’t easy, but thanks to survivors like Kayla who are willing to share their stories, and their triumphs, we can all…
“According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, about 11% of women and 3% of men said they had been sexually assaulted during childhood. “ That’s how many said they were. There are probably more who did not say they were. Either way, think about it. If you know 14 people in the UK,…
“We have to stop telling ourselves that the rude people of the world are personally targeting us. – We can’t take things too personally, even if it seems personal. Rarely do people do things because of us. They do things because of them. And there is a huge amount of freedom that comes to us…
“When Alexis Gonzalez tells her story about overcoming child abuse, she’s surprised by how many people it resonates with. At one event after another in the Central Valley, she’s approached by audience members who can relate. “People would disclose their own abuse and that they had never told anybody,” said Gonzalez, now 21. “People are…
