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    Reasons I Didn’t Tell Anyone I was Being Sexually Abused

    That’s why when people approach me with ideas for how to prevent childhood sexual abuse, the only two things I focus on are education and honesty. I didn’t even know I was being abused because I lacked any education, and I didn’t talk to anyone because there were no safe adults for me to talk to. 

    If you want to prevent abuse, do those things. Talk to kids about sex, abuse, rape, violence, and LGBTQ issues. Please give them the vocabulary to talk about what is happening to them, to define what is right and wrong, and a place to get their questions answered honestly, get good information on the topic, and have open conversations without judgment. 

    If you aren’t willing to provide that for kids, I guarantee you there is a predator out there who will be more than happy to fill in the spaces for the kids around you and teach them about sex. You’re not going to like what they teach them. 

  • We Still Have to Talk about Why Sexual Assault Victims, Including Kids, Don’t Come Forward

    Never mind the fact that they might have tried to tell someone and got shut down.

    Never mind the fact that they might have told someone who didn’t believe them.

    Never mind the fact that telling someone is going to create a massive conflict within their own family.

    Never mind the fact that it’s doubtful that any conviction will occur if they tell the police.

    Never mind the fact that they will now, and maybe forever, be seen as damaged goods by a large segment of society.

    Never mind that, no matter how heinous the crime, they’ll have to answer question after question about what they did to provoke it.

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